Derby girls roll into town

IT takes a lot to faze a Roller Derby girl. They’re used to suffering bruises, and the occasional fall, and any derby athlete will tell you, the sport is not a figurative, but a literal case of the school of hard-knocks. Last November, KZN’s first roller derby league, Durban Derby, was born.

Fast-forward a year later and the league is gearing up for its first Grease themed bout.

Northglen News caught up with two Durban North athletes on opposing sides to find out more about the roller revolution that has taken over the city. Maree Clothier (KickAzz Jackson) from the Pink Ladies and Max Woodward (Saxual Maxual) skating with the T-Birds agree the bout is a spectacle not be missed.

“Derby is a full contact sport and it is definitely not a sport for little girls or the fainthearted!” Saxual Maxual enthused. “We are all so excited about our first bout, this is what we’ve all been waiting for. We’ve all trained and worked so hard to make this happen and I’m so grateful I get to be a part it all.”

KickAzz Jackson said she’s been amazed by the growth of the sport since it first started last year. “Our skill levels, knowledge and awareness of the sport has grown, progressed and developed to amazing heights in such a short space of time, thanks to boot camps and great management,” she said.

One thing the duo agree on is the first bout will be rough and tough. “Let the best and fittest ladies on the night win. All I know for sure is that the Pink Ladies have been training very hard and putting their all into getting ready for this bout, we are and will make ourselves and our supporters proud,” KickAzz Jackson said.

Bout Deets

The bout will be held on 16 of November at Hillcrest Primary School. Doors will open at 6.30pm and tickets are R60. The bout will have a Grease theme with the two teams skating as the Pink ladies and the T-Birds. Those attending are encouraged to get into the 50’s spirit and put on their poodle skirt and leather jackets.