ROLLER Derby is one of the world’s fastest growing contact sports and one best known for it’s colourful nicknames. It’s also a sport that has found a home in Durban with a group of passionate skaters. Northglen News recently caught up with two of the Durban Roller Derby skaters, Monique Every (Slash Bandicute) a long standing member of the team, and Trudy Fursman (BootiTrap), a relative newbie to the sport to find out about their journey in derby.
“I’ve been involved with Durban Derby for five and a half years and the growth in some of the skaters has been great. Of late, our numbers have been low, but, we are seeing more women taking an interest in the sport,” she explained. “I’ve been impressed with the team’s dedication and their skill and one of the shining lights has been Trudy. She’s been awesome. Her passion and enthusiasm has rubbed off on all the other newbies which has been so amazing.”
Fursman, a Glen Anil resident who has been involved for the last two years, explained her Roller Derby nickname came about in quirky circumstances.
“We normally do Sunday leisure skates on the beachfront and there was an obscure photo of us on the pier and someone suggested my booty was popping and my Derby name really stuck. Originally I shared a nickname with another skater and I decided I needed a change so BootiTrap. I’m glad Monique thinks I’m doing well considering the last time I had skated was when I was nine years old.
“I got involved with Durban Derby after trying to run with my little dog. I can’t run as fast so I tried skateboarding, which didn’t work out so well. I decided to get a pair of skates and that’s when I saw an interview with the girls from Durban Roller Derby. They had an open evening and I tried out and I haven’t looked back since. I think importantly for me I’ve found my family, a place where I can challenge myself with a great group of people but also have fun,” she said.
To find out more about the team or to join, visit the Durban Roller Derby Facebook page.
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