By C.J.
In 1974 two women walked onto a playing field. Travel was not on their minds, only a desire to exercise. A guy says, “I’ll show you how to play soccer.” Julie Phillips and Tery Drager said, “Sure” to Larry Dunnigan’s offer.
This meeting has led to over 100 women since then playing and traveling the state, country and world! Noreen Santaluce and I caught up with five of the original members of this soccer legend at their retreat in Etna California via computer. That fateful beginning resulted in two teams, the over 60 Santa Cruz United Vintage, and the over 50 Santa Cruz United.
United is the key to the joy that Diana Sue Miller communicated when introducing her soccer friends over the Internet. Diana Sue’s interests beyond the playing field include gardening, botanical studies and Taiko drumming. She knows the rhythms of this collective. Exercise was the goal, yet the benefits of the long-term friendships have probably been stronger in providing the good life and health they have in common.
Cardiologists agree that social engagement is key to health and can be achieved through team sports. Kris Mangliers, an Open Studio artist who frequents African dance classes, lives that connection. Though she stopped playing soccer due to arthritis, she attributes her stamina and strength to camaraderie.
Recognizing the recipe for adventure in that chance meeting, Tery Drager, who has a family ranch that sparks culinary explorations, relates that whole experience has been delicious! Beginning as underdogs at their initial Stanford and Palo Alto games, after their first win they rapidly graduated to lead at local competitions. With their team confidence built, time-consuming leagues were soon left behind. The focus was to as an independent team, finding tournaments to take their show on the road. This led to great journeys for the team and for individual team members to play in Mexico, Australia, and Italy.
Memories provide a chuckle from Lori Camner. In the 80’s she played with The Providence Metro Kickers in Rhode Island. That amateur team provided the local college women with competition that was otherwise lacking. Bonnie Morrison enjoys calligraphy and reading and reminded us that this was all happening just as Title IX legislation, designed to provide girls with equal access to sports in our public schools, came into being.
Joan Frey, a long time PE teacher for SLV, spotlights the fact that the school’s girl soccer teams have been winning and placing in the top three over the years because of the changes brought on by Title IX. Schools and the media now provide significant support for girls and women’s sports.
Lori, also a quilter, has more to share. Eight years ago when Joan Frey was diagnosed with stage four ovarian cancer, Lori invited the team members and school chums of Joan to make a wellness quilt. Joan believes it’s the love in that quilt that took her through to survival. This is the true strength of a group of women who also prevailed as California State Champions at the Bay Area Senior Games held at Stanford in 2012. The senior games will return there in 2015. Additionally, New Zealand is calling them to compete in the World Master Games!
Their future is bright. Their fans, family and their coach for 35 years, Max MacNeary, continue to be the wind beneath their feet. These seniors truly get a kick out of life — Have Soccer Ball, Will Travel!
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For more about Seniors in Sports, Title Nine and the rise of woman athletes. Our blog at AgingMischief.com is up and running – join in. Let us know what kind of mischief you’re making happen. Warm Regards, “CJ” with a lot of help from Noreen.