Team ZA: On a roll after historic World Cup

SOUTH Africa has a habit of making history at world cups, especially when it comes to the sport of roller derby. Four years ago, Team ZA was the first team from South Africa, and the African continent, to compete in a Roller Derby World Cup in Dallas, Texas. Though the team fought hard in that competition, they were unlucky to end without a win.

Roll on four years and the team made history once again, this time at the Roller Derby in Manchester England, by winning, not just one, but two bouts on the international stage. It was a historic moment for the team as Team ZA secured their first-ever victories at the Roller Derby World Cup beating Romania and Costa Rica.

Because the sport is not recognised by the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC), the team competes under the name of Team ZA.

The team’s grittiness and never ‘give’ up attitude made them a crowd favourite at the world tournament.

Read also-Durban’s first Roller Derby team and the school of hard-knocks

Northglen News recently caught up with local resident, Szerdi Nagy, who was an integral part of the national team.

“It was absolutely incredible because we made roller derby history which was pretty damn awesome. At the last world cup we were a very young and inexperienced team, but we have learnt a lot since then. Even though we only retained six of our skaters from last time, the lessons learnt were invaluable. Obviously winning anything you work hard on is an awesome feeling, but knowing that the group of skaters and coaches we have from across SA, working together to pull something like this off is absolutely incredible.

“Our first win was also an incredibly close against an amazing Team Romania, and the lead changes constantly throughout the game was apparently quite nail biting to watch – and very nail biting to play. I’m ridiculously proud of all my teammates. We really had a phenomenal group of strong, and driven women and amazing coaches who really supported us and brought the right dynamic and passion to our bench,” she enthused.

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Nagy, who goes by the name of Julia Seize-Her on the local circuit, said she is trying to grow the sport on a local circuit.

“Like any non mainstream sports, its a battle getting people to get involved – the team was completely self funded for this World Cup, which shows how far we still need to grow as far as awareness of what we do. Derby is keeping steady in much of SA and with Durban having the second smallest league in the country, our goal as always is to recruit and teach new skaters. This world cup though, Durban Derby doubled their national representation sending two skaters to event,” she said.

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