Durban Roller Derby: Meet Maddox Terror

BEREA resident, Danel “Maddox Terror” Botha described roller derby as “badass, adrenaline pumping, euphoria.”

Her derby nick name was inspired by Botha’s pet dog.

“Maddox was a very loyal companion and although small and eager to please like most Terriers he could carry on playing for hours, until someone else called it off. This is my pledge to my roller derby team; my loyalty and although smaller I will be at your heels like a Terrier Terror until you call the game off,” she said.

Botha decided to take up roller derby in 2019, after watching Somebody’s Gotta Do It, a reality programme in which, presenter, Mike Rowe takes up various challenges.

“He is challenged by Derby Dolls; a Derby team based in Los Angeles to try out. I had such a laugh at this as he was falling all over the place, they even took to a banked track and started a bout when it was his first time on skates. I was so intrigued and curious as to whether South Africa participated in this sport, as I was searching I saw a post on Instagram for a Durban Roller Derby Team which had an open night in a couple weeks’ time,” she said.

Also read: Durban Roller Derby: Meet Chocovivious- where sweet meets savage

“At the open night, it was more challenging than I was expecting especially having the professionals zoom past us on the track whilst we had warm encouragement from all,” added Botha.

At the time she was intimidated by the level of advanced skating and thought she would not progress onto the derby.

“One and a half years later I am definitely a derby girl, who got hooked on a sport that is immensely addictive and fun. This however goes with saying I also feel like I currently hold the record for being a ‘freshy’ the longest time at Durban Roller Derby. So many challenges hit when I started this sport. Covid-19 started in March 2020 and put our sport on hold when it comes to physical contact. We did however proceed with practice to keep up fitness levels and train on footwork, but I haven’t yet been able to play in a bout competing against other teams,” said Botha.

The contact sport involves skating around a ring to score points, and the mode of transport is very specific, explained Botha.

“Roller Derby members do not skate on roller blades, it is referred to as roller skates; and before you say we might be touchy on this subject it’s as good as referring to a surf boards as a body board or a motorcycle as a scooter; it’s simply not the same,” she said.

The sport offers her an escape from life’s pressures.

“My favourite aspect of the sport is to forget about the realities of grown-up life and let loose after a long day at work. This sport has definitely kept me sane and allowed me to channel my energy. (I enjoy) the drive to be able to better yourself and never being able to peak as there is just so much to achieve technically on skates and so this can never really be a boring sport. Our team members are also such an amazing bunch of people who love you for who you are; it’s truly a place where you can come as you are and be accepted for that,” said the skater.

For Botha, Roller Derby offers women a form of empowerment.

Also read: Meet Dark Spark where shady behaviour steps into the spotlight

“We are much stronger physically and mentally than society has given us credit for. We are able to overcome and achieve anything we want to and shouldn’t let society’s norms limit us in achieving our potential and ultimately developing our superhuman selves. I think we have come a long way, compared to decades earlier and what was expected of women. The irony is that we haven’t stopped evolving or plateaued yet. I want to be someone my little cousins can look up to, even if I might be the crazier aunt in the family. I want them to know that we are capable of so much,” she said.

The camaraderie around the sport has uplifted many skaters in the Durban team.

“I have heard so many of my team members talk about how (roller derby) saved their lives, and although I do echo this I have come to realise during this time that you only live once and you can have fun whilst navigating this life. Someone said something in passing which really resonated with me in a time when we are faced with so many deaths; in your last moments you stand alone and should be at peace with the decisions you made or didn’t in this lifetime. Did you live your best life the way you wanted to? This really hits deep for me,” said Botha.