Durban Derby set for first bout

WHEN KZN’s Roller Derby league began, the biggest challenge wasn’t attracting potential skaters but finding a suitable track. From skating around the Moses Mabhida Stadium to skating on the beachfront to hurling themselves around a makeshift track in an abandoned clothing factory shop in an alleyway off Matthews Meyiwa (Stamford Hill) Road, the Roller Derby girls have faced some hardships to find a suitable ‘digs’.

That was until earlier this year when the girls found a suitable indoor venue. Szerdi Nagy (Julia Seize-Her), who is one of the main organisers of the league said the team was thrilled with the new venue.

“We have battled for a long time to find a suitable indoor venue that was willing and able to hold a full size derby track and a crowd. In April this year we were lucky to meet Mike AKA The Quadfather, who teaches at Hillcrest Primary School, who was kind enough to open his amazing indoor arena for us to both practice in and hold our bout.

The Quadfather has since become our head ref,” she laughed. “Being able to practise on a full size track has really given us the chance to realise our derby ambitions and push all our skaters to the next level.”

Szerdi who will be skating with the T-Birds urged residents to come out and support a spectacle not be missed.

“Durban has never seen anything like this before! Some people may have seen the movie ‘Whip It’ before, but watching a bunch of homegrown ladies sharing their love of this highly contagious sport is an event not to be missed,” Szerdi enthused.

“We plan to continue growing our league and plan from now to hold bouts at regular intervals not only with our local teams, but we hope to bring teams down from Johannesburg and Cape Town too. I do have one warning though for anyone thinking of coming to watch, derby has a way taking hold of you so don’t be surprised if you find yourself in some skates and booty shorts in the not too distant future,” she said.