Pretty much anywhere else in the world, Maddison Glover would be a household name.

The bubbly 30-year-old from Albion Park is to bootscooting what Lionel Messi is to soccer. Put simply, she is among the best of the best.

When The Illawarra Flame caught up with Maddy it was clear her family’s long-held passion for dancing has become infectious. Each week hundreds grapevine their way to her classes at the old Kanahooka hall overlooking Lake Illawarra. Over time, it’s become something of a shrine to country music and the fun times that come with it.

The Glover family’s bootscooting story starts back in 1993 when Tom and Donna took their three sons along to the Woolshed at Yallah “as a family thing” and they were all instantly hooked.

When Maddy came along, it was as if she could dance before she learned to walk.

Rewriting the record books

Proud mum Donna has watched all her kids excel.

“The boys competed and went on to be Australian bootscooting champions,” Donna said.

“Then Maddy came along and pretty much rewrote the bootscooting record books both here and across the world.”

Over the past 12 years Maddy has won multiple Australian titles before going on to take out so many international Crystal Boot Awards (the sport’s highest accolade) that she’s no longer eligible to compete in three categories. She’s a five-time Crystal Boot winner of the Bootscooting Personality of the Year and Choreographer of the Year. 

While Maddy may excel in competition, it’s the bootscooting community that she and her family has helped to create that gives her the greatest pleasure.

“I get so much satisfaction teaching a group who knew nothing about dancing when they arrived and within 20 minutes they’re all moving in the same direction and thoroughly enjoying themselves,” Maddy said.

Such was the demand for her classes, during Covid lock-downs, Maddy juggled her busy life as a primary school teacher at Tullimbar with online line dancing. It helped people get through those difficult times of isolation and loneliness.

Then 18 months ago, as the numbers in her classes kept growing, Maddy took the bold step to quit classroom teaching to concentrate on running Illawarra Country Bootscooters as a full-time business.

'It’s work that I love' 

“I loved being at school but in the end, I just wanted to be here,” Maddy said after leading a two-hour class with more than 60 eager participants. “If you find something in life that you love, then you should pursue it. I say it’s my work, but it’s work that I love.”

While seniors fill the majority of Maddy’s classes, she says there are more and more young people getting involved, especially younger women and girls “who danced other genres when they were younger”.

Maddy says the emergence of country music on mainstream radio in the past decade has had quite an impact.

“Some people say ‘Hey, country and line dancing is cool again’, but those of us who’ve been doing it for decades say it’s always been cool.”

Watching Maddy’s little line dancing community step their way through different routines, song after song is a joy to behold. You can see how much pleasure everyone’s getting while at the same time being deep in concentration, so as not to make a misstep while the pesky man from The Flame is pointing his camera in their direction.

“It’s a place where people can come for an hour or two and forget all about their problems,” Maddy said. And she’s spot on.

Karen Harris, from Jamberoo, has been attending the classes for nearly 20 years. “I lost my husband in 2006, and this is the only thing that kept me going,” Karen said. She attends Maddy’s classes up to six days a week. “It takes me into a whole different world.”

Sue Wentworth-Perry, from Wollongong, describes bootscooting with Maddy as “fun and inclusive”.

“I love dancing, and I wanted to stay fit and healthy, and keep my brain active. It’s such a positive environment.”

Bootscooting besties

Lorraine Harriman from Kanahooka and Elaine Davis from Albion Park took up dancing 30 years ago and they’ve been besties ever since, enjoying bootscooting holidays together over the years.

“When you walk in each time there’s always someone to talk to, and we’re all friends,” Lorraine said.

 Elaine is a fan of country music and loves the exercise and meeting people in the hall.

There’s no doubt bootscooting is a great way to get the heart pumping.

At the insistence of a friend, Trish Wilson joined the beginners’ class two years ago.

“As soon as I came, I was hooked. It really surprised me how much of a workout is involved and, of course, Maddy is so positive and full of energy,” Trish said.

One of the originals, John Hol, from Albion Park, started line dancing at the Woolshed in 1993, taking his 10-year-old daughter and joining Maddy’s parents, Tom and Donna.

Like Maddy, John’s daughter also became an Australian champion.

“I just love the atmosphere,” John said.

“It’s fun for us blokes ’cause there are so many ladies here,” he joked.

Physical and mental exercise

Judy Goodley, from Balgownie, is a bundle of energy and joined her first class eight years ago.

“I always wanted to dance but I have a husband who can’t,” she quipped.

Judy loves bootscooting and exercising solo, but in a room full of like-minded people.

“It’s just terrific, fun and a great blend of physical and mental exercise,” Judy said. “It’s also social, and while that’s important for people of all ages, it’s really important as you get older. I find it creates a lovely connection, to people and to place.”

Several regulars have been bootscooting for decades. Judy Garrett, a line dancer for “31 years, going on 32”, recommends it for body and soul: “After breast cancer, I came for therapy, and I’ve never looked back. It helps your mind.

“I’ve had a fractured hip, and the doctors and the therapists tell me, ‘line dancing is wonderful’.

“It’s wonderful for your body and your strength, your mind, your recovery.”

Join Maddy at ‘The Stomp’

Since giving birth to her first child, Angus, Maddy has tried to slow down a little – but it’s clear that’s easier said than done. She’s putting together a big two-day event, The Stomp, to be held in Wollongong Town Hall on September 19-20.

“We invite spectators, social line dancers and competitors to join us for this unforgettable experience,” Maddy said.

Visit www.linedancingwithillawarra.com