Our own Leslie Butler, aka Addie Brawl, is featured in the Columbus Ledger Enquirer’s “Five Question” series, published December 30, 2012.
Click here for Columbus Ledger Enquirer’s full article on www.ledger-enquirer.com.
How did you get involved in the Muscogee Roller Girls?
When I was a little girl, I used to watch roller derby on television with my dad. I had always wanted to play, but I didn’t know there were roller derby teams in our area. I began with one team but just didn’t mesh with them. From there, one of the trainers (Crystal Shank) and I began Muscogee Roller Girls with the help of our husbands.
Leslie Butler, aka Addie Brawl, is the president of the Muscogee Roller Girls, Columbus Georgia’s premiere hometown derby league. Photo by Joe Paull [email protected].
What are the team’s goals for 2013?
We want to educate people about roller derby and introduce the sport to the Columbus area by recruiting more skaters. We will strive to have fun and win games. Our league is nonprofit, but we give back to the community as well.In 2012, we worked charity events and donated to the needy. We were at Bikes on Broadway and donated to groups including Our House and Hope Harbour. We will continue throughout 2013 to help where we can.
What separates the roller derby world from other sports?
Besides roller skates, we are more of an extended family. When you spend six to eight hours with the same group of people working toward the same goals, you tend to form bonds with each other.At practice we knock each other down and compliment each other on the great hit. Even with the opposing team, the two teams go out after a game, have dinner and drinks and compliment each other on how each team played.
What’s your advice for someone interested in joining the team?
Put any preconceived notions you have about roller derby behind you. I have noticed that many people think of ladies who play roller derby as trashy or rough. We are your normal everyday people.All of the ladies on our team are students, mothers and professionals. Even if you’re not athletic and you don’t know how to skate, we can teach you.
If roller derby sounds like something you may be interested in, I would say to check out our website and/or our Facebook page for our practice days and times. You must be at least 18 to participate. Come to one of our practices. We have all of the gear you will need to get started.
What’s the best-kept secret in the Chattahoochee Valley?
The Muscogee Roller Girls and Gr8 Sk8 will be the best thing in 2013 to keep an eye on. We play teams from across the Southeast. We practice at Gr8 Sk8 in Phenix City and you’re invited to watch. Visit our website at https://muscogeerollergirls.com for information.
