Karen Stevens
My first professional game I am pretty sure was in June 1966 - at the Sydney Stadium, Wednesday nights were recorded for television and Saturday nights had the biggest audiences, it was huge back in those days, I was 14 years old and still at high school. I was the Rookies rookie and did not play much of a part at all, I used to get "beat" on or knocked down by the opposing team (red shirts) and would always be saved by a more experienced skater - it was incredible experience - I think my first game was against the Shamrocks, in June 1966, I remember Bonnie Nelson being in the team.
I was asked if I would like to travel when I turned 15 - I like to think I had proved my skating ability (and of course because of my wonderful personality).
Ann Cavello was our Captain at that time and she liked Colleen Murrell and I and thought we interacted really well together, she initiated the "go-go" girls - and used to call us "Lolita" and "Candy", she was really hard on us but it was in the most affectionate way. She would always be grumbling "god damn rookies" no matter what we did........ but I know she really liked us. (Apart from the day I accidentally wore her shorts and I thought I would get killed).
We trained on a Wednesday morning in Sydney and Toni Gandara used to train/coach us on Friday mornings in Brisbane - I started traveling in September 1966, I was 15 and was born on the 20 September 1951. My birth date in the Roller Games Gazette was 1949 I think they had the dates mixed up with Colleen Murrell's. I don"t know how it came about to be incorrect...but I was told not to worry about it so I didn't"t.
I skated against the Shamrocks, the Outlaws, the Devils, the Warriors and the NY Bombers all more than once.
I skated with the T-Birds for the rest of 1966, all of 1967 - went to Los Angles for the World Championship in November 1967 - then skated early 1968 back in Australia. The Sydney Stadium was to be pulled down and there was no other venue in Sydney to cater for the banked track so I think it was April that the last games were held. I was asked to travel with the T-Birds back to America and to tour Japan and I really wanted to do this but my family were very against it and would not give permission for me to leave.
Colleen Murrell ( who had married Ronnie Rains) and Peter Kelly went back to America with the team, I kept in touch with Honey Sanchez for about 2 years but life moves on and you cannot hang on to the past.................. I married the first young man that came along - the marriage lasted 10 years, I then married a second time and we have been together 25 years - I have 6 of the most wonderful children any mother could wish for and 5 grandchildren.
The memories I have from those days Loretta are enough to last a life time. Skating on the same team or against most of the "Greats" from the Roller Derby and Roller Games was an incredible journey, I feel so privileged to have been part of it no matter how small.
I am now 56 years young and work in the office of a large high school, I teach music to small children as a second job and don't get to skate much anymore, most of the skating rinks in Sydney have now closed, although, we occasionally go to a basketball hall that holds general sessions on a Saturday, my granddaughters come with me and I still feel the rush of excitement when I lace up my skates.
I am hoping to travel to America and time it for the next reunion in May. I am so happy to be able to read your wonderful memoirs and really thank you for putting it all down on paper so all can share.
I have Neil "fella in oz" to thank for getting me in touch with my past, I have re-acquainted with some of the Australian skaters who played their own part in the Roller Derby/ Roller Games during the 70"s we have been sharing memories and exchanging stories. I have also met some great people like Nola (Noni) Daniel who I now class as my dear friend- I am blessed and very grateful to have had the opportunity to email you.