Recently many sports that have been traditionally “men’s” sports have seen the traditional boundaries blurring. Women have made their way into a number of sports including rugby, horse racing, cricket and possibly most significantly, women’s AFL.
The AFLW began in March 2017 with 8 teams and has since expanded 14 teams in the 2020 season. A number of girls from Banyule, Nillumbik and Whittlesea have been drafted into the league which has given them a wonderful opportunity to further their AFL careers. Gabby Newton, who played her junior years at Yarrambat Football club, was the number one draft pick in 2019 to the Western Bulldogs. There she was the recipient of the Best First Year Player award. Another young local AFLW star Kristy Lamb, also a Yarrambat junior football and cricket player, also previously played cricket for the Melbourne Renegades. She was named Rookie of the Year in 2012-2013. While during 2020 the AFLW season was postponed it is expected to pick up again in 2021 where it will no doubt continue to go from strength to strength.
Young Australian sportswoman Ellyse Perry is an inspiration to all – at 16 she represented Australia at a national level in both soccer and cricket world cups. These young women have paved the way for all to enjoy the sport of their choice.
Written by YPRL staff member Dione Fisher
Here are some items from our collection about exceptional Australia sportswomen:
'When a football ground was electrified on that unforgettable February evening, feelings did not need words. They had a sound unlike anything anyone had ever heard- an almighty, heartfelt roar.' The inaugural season of the AFL Women's league was a game changer for Australian sport and for Australia culturally. When women joined the nation's biggest and most popular sporting code as players, it gave them licence to become legitimate football heroes. It was personal, political, proud and powerful. With unique insights from award-winning journalist Samantha Lane, including previously untold details behind AFLW's birth, ROAR tells the remarkable tales of a group of trailblazers. These are intimate stories from a band of pioneers who now have a league of their own. From Daisy Pearce, AFLW's original poster-player, to Craig Starcevich, the Collingwood premiership footballer who found football happiness where he least expected it. There's Sarah Perkins' story of personal and physical transformation; the AFL's first openly gay couple Penny Cula-Reid and Mia-Rae Clifford; history-making coach Bec Goddard, Kirby Bentley, Tayla Harris, Amanda Farrugia, Darcy Vescio and Katie Brennan. ROAR is a groundbreaking book to inspire, illuminate and celebrate the leading lights of AFLW.
What does it mean to be a sporty woman in the 21st century? From the launch of Net-A-Sporter, serving up sports clothing for fashionistas, to the introduction of #plankie as the new Instagram selfie for yoga bunnies; exercise for women has finally gone mainstream. But if sweating has never been so hot for female celebrities, then why are there still so many obstacles for girls and women when it comes to sport? Why do girls still hate school sports lessons? Why is sport consistently defined as male territory, with TV cameras replicating the male gaze as they search out the most beautiful women in the crowd? Will women ever flock to watch football, rugby and boxing in their millions? Or turn up to the park with friends for a Sunday morning kickabout? How long do we have to wait to see the first multi-millionaire female footballer or basketball players?
Mother, wife, partner, daughter, sister, niece, grandmother: every woman is a VICTRESS in her own unique and special way. This book is an ode to some of Australia's most cherished female athletes who, not just through achievements in their chosen sport, but through their unwavering conviction and commitment to women's sport, blazed a trail for their sisterhood. From legends like Dawn Fraser and Cathy Freeman, to the new breed of powerful sportswomen like Ellyse Perry, Tayla Harris and Ash Barty, each athlete is honoured and celebrated, thanks to Hobart Hurricanes Women's Big Bash League cricketer Corinne Hall's unique artistic talents. Inspired by these incredible women, Corinne takes readers on a journey into the lives of each athlete through both her stunning drawings and her authentic tales. From personal interactions with the athletes, to recalling where she was when watching some of the iconic events that made them household names, Corinne provides a fresh but relatable perspective on how each has left an indelible mark on the exponential growth of sport for women. Kindness is key for Corinne, who has ensured funds from the book will be directed back into grassroots women's cricket, along with helping charitable organisation, The Kindness Factory, spread its positive message. In keeping with the kindness theme, athletes have provided their own stories of kindness, unearthing the special role simple acts have played in their lives.
Gender equality in sport is a hot issue of our time, with the women's league in AFL being pushed this year and the prominence of issues surrounding gender equality in sport maintaining a bright spotlight in the media. Sport of Queens reveals the history of women in Australian horse racing from Wilhelmina 'Bill' Smith who secretly rode as a man at race meetings across North Queensland in the 1940's and 50's to the exploits and struggles of jockeys such as Linda Jones, Pam O'Neil and Beverley Buckingham in the 70's and 80's and the successes of women such as Clare Lindop, Gai Waterhouse, and Michelle Payne in more recent times. As well as an historic analysis, Sport of Queens contains eleven chapters each dedicated to a female racing legend in which she discusses the successes and challenges of her career and the issues she believes the racing industry currently faces. Jockeys, trainers, breeders, judges, syndicators, promoters, race-callers and photographers are all included. From a history of exclusion and a struggle for recognition to a slow acceptance in a male-dominated industry, the race for women to be taken seriously may have turned for home but there's a long straight ahead. Also included is a section titled 'He Said, She Said' with quotes from men and women that show the entrenched prejudices that still exist in racing alongside the progress being made. Through extensive research, interviews and with his own long history as a racing reporter to draw on, Shane McNally presents an in-depth look at what goes on behind the scenes in the industry in Australia compared to the rest of the world.
A former Olympic athlete, Aganetha Smart was famous in the 1920s; but now at age 104, she lives in a nursing home, alone and forgotten by history. When her quiet life is disturbed by the unexpected arrival of two young strangers, she begins to reflect on her childhood in rural Ontario and her struggles to make an independent life for herself in the city. Without revealing who they are or what they may want from her, the visitors take her on an outing to the family farm where she was raised. Here, the devastation of WWI and the Spanish flu epidemic, the optimism of the 1920s and the sacrifices of the 1930s come vividly back to mind as Aganetha wrestles with the confusion and displacement of the present.
AFLW player Tayla Harris was at work on the footy field when she kicked a goal. A photo of the kick - taken by Michael Willson - showcased her incredible athletic ability and was posted online. What happened next was an extraordinary turning point in Tayla's life. The photo quickly became iconic as Tayla stood strong against the online trolls. This is the inspiring story of Tayla's stellar sporting career so far, and her hard-earned advice to young people navigating the ups and downs of social media.
See What We Created is a celebration of what has been a remarkable and historic first AFL Women's season. It is a comprehensive review of the seven rounds of competition between the eight national teams, and an in-depth study of the first AFLW Grand Final. When Ikon Park was packed to the brim with 24,568 fans-and thousands more turned away at the gate-for the first AFLW match between Collingwood and Carlton, AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan said the League was 'overwhelmed' by the response, and the interest has continued to grow. The outstanding photos from the AFL's archives featured in See What We Created capture the week-by-week drama and action-the big marks, the bone-jarring bumps and the spectacular goals-and pay tribute to the new stars of AFL football.
See What We Created also features all the major award winners: - 2017 NAB AFL Women's Rising Star - 2017 AFL Women's Best and Fairest - 2017 AFL Women's Grand Final Best on Ground - 2017 AFL Women's Leading Goalkicker - 2017 AFL Women's All Australian Team. With a foreword written by Gillon McLachlan, See What We Created is not only a memorial to this phenomenal inaugural AFLW season, but also a keepsake for all fans of football.
A book of shared insights from one of Australia's most exceptional athletes. Ellyse Perry is among the all-time cricket greats, and the only player, female or male, to represent Australia in both cricket and football World Cups, making her international debut in both sports at the age of 16. Perspective is about sitting back from the world you're involved in and evaluating what it means to you. What are the important things that you know make experiences special? What are the things that motivate you? What are the things that give you joy? The things that challenge you but, ultimately, make you a better person? Most importantly, who are the people whose unwavering help and support you couldn't go without?
From the lessons of a high-performance athlete's career to appreciating the small things in life, this inspiring illustrated book features stories and reflections from Ellyse's childhood and career on the themes of dreaming, belief, work, resilience, appreciation, opportunity, balance and perseverance - and their importance in everything we do. This empowering book is a unique view from one of Australia's most admired sports stars about what it is to be an elite athlete.
Join Jill King and Jack Ace as they meet past and present Australian cricket champions and get fascinating facts and advice about the great game. You can be Belinda Clark! Cricket is a sport for all Australians. No matter who you are or where you come from, you can play Australia?s favourite sport. There are now more ways than ever to experience the fun of cricket, have fun, be active and make friends. And you?re never too young to start playing! Belinda Clark captained Australia for eleven years during her exceptional record-breaking career, and she is undoubtedly a legend of Australian cricket.