A look back at the Australian Thunderbirds & Kangaroos Roller Games era, by Scott Stephens—author of ROLLING THUNDER: The Golden Age of Roller Derby and The Rise & Fall of the LA T-Birds.

The Australian Thunderbirds (1966–1968, and 1981)

When taped broadcasts of the Los Angeles Thunderbirds reached Australian television in 1964, they became a phenomenon. Roller Games’ blend of speed, drama, and hard-hitting athleticism captured the public’s imagination, drawing some of the highest ratings on Australian TV. Bill Griffiths recognized the opportunity and launched a live tour in January 1966, bringing the Thunderbirds and Texas Outlaws across the Pacific. The result was an explosion of popularity that made “The Roller Game” one of the hottest attractions in the country.

The first three-month season was a revelation. Games at Sydney Stadium, Brisbane Festival Hall, and Melbourne Festival Hall sold out nightly, often with 6,000 fans in attendance. Perth was also added, with packed houses greeting the teams. Skaters were treated like rock stars—mobbed by autograph seekers, featured in newspapers, invited to nightclubs, and even receiving marriage proposals. Stars like Ralph Valladares, Liz Hernandez, Ann Calvello, and Shirley Hardman became household names, while Jim Trotter drew fascination as one of the first Black sports figures to gain national recognition in Australia.

The Thunderbirds’ base in Sydney became a hub of operations, with Griffiths’ staff promoting weekly games and rotating visiting U.S. teams such as the Hawaiian Warriors, San Francisco Shamrocks, Detroit Devils, and New York Bombers. By 1967, homegrown talent began to emerge. Peter Kelly, a tall and acrobatic skater, thrilled fans with daring rail jumps and later became a leading trainer and coach. Colleen Murrell, a quick and intelligent skater, won fans’ hearts and became one of the first Australian women to succeed in the American league. Adeline Hocker, a veteran American, stepped in as women’s captain and eventually made Australia her home.

While immensely popular, Roller Games faced increasing criticism from the media and regulators. Television critics derided it as violent and staged, and the Australian Broadcasting Control Board raised concerns about its legitimacy. By late 1967, attendance declined as fans became aware that the bitter on-track rivalries were not as real as advertised. Promoters countered by staging one-on-one “match races” between stars—such as Valladares vs. Trotter and Hocker vs. Hardman—which successfully reignited interest. Still, by 1968, with Roller Games also expanding into Japan and Philadelphia, Australia no longer received the same attention. Revenues fell, and Griffiths shuttered full-time operations, putting the tracks into storage.

Attempts to revive the Thunderbirds came later. In 1981, Griffiths brought the Thunderbirds and Texas Outlaws back for a three-city tour of Perth, Sydney, and Brisbane. Aging stars like Valladares and John Parker returned alongside women’s leaders Debbie Heldon and Peggy Fowler, with rookie Tory Christopher joining the Thunderbirds. But an untimely airline strike wiped out the Sydney leg of the tour and crippled ticket sales in Brisbane. A final 1984 return also struggled to regain the glory of the 1960s.

Despite its decline, the Australian Thunderbirds remain legendary. For two years, 1966 and 1967, they were the hottest ticket in the country, outselling even the Beatles. They introduced roller derby to Australia on a massive scale, left behind beloved homegrown stars, and carved a unique chapter in both Australian and Roller Games history.

The Australian Kangaroos (1972)

Though the Thunderbirds’ full-time run in Australia ended in 1968, their legacy lived on through local talent. By 1972, the nation had developed enough skilled skaters to field its own international team: the Australian Kangaroos. This all-star squad represented the best of the country’s derby scene and was designed to prove that Australians could skate at the same level as their American counterparts.

Led by standout Peter Kelly, who had risen from fan favorite to respected trainer, the Kangaroos combined speed, toughness, and flair. They faced top National Skating Derby (NSD) teams in the United States, showcasing the progress of Australian derby. Kelly’s daring athleticism and leadership symbolized the Kangaroos’ spirit, while Colleen Murrell added star power as one of the most accomplished female skaters from Australia. The Kangaroos’ presence validated the years of investment by Roller Games and brought international recognition to Australian derby athletes.

Although the team was short-lived, the Kangaroos represented the peak of Australia’s roller derby experiment: local skaters carrying the torch lit by the Thunderbirds and proving their worth on the world stage.