Women in sport books from Australia

I am on a mission to make a definitive list of women in sports books from Australia.

After browsing my local new and second hand bookshops, I figured it would be fairly easy, compared to the forest of pages written on male athletes, there actually aren’t all that many books about women and girls in sport.

The last couple of years have seen an explosion, especially in biographies. More media coverage and more attention equals more women’s sport books! So my goal of a ‘definitive list’ is unfulfilled… so far.

Some criteria: the books need to be about Australian women in sport. They need to be written or at least co-authored by a woman.

I’ve made a start but I would like you to send me some more recommendations and reviews so I can keep updating this list.

Which was your favourite? Let me know in the comments.

Now

By: Anna Meares (2020)

“It’s not your typical sports biography” – Anna Meares.

4-time Olympic cycling champion Anna Meares joins Shannon Byrne on Sunday Session to discuss life after the track and her decision to write a book about her rivalries and struggles.

Breaking the mould: Taking a hammer to sexism in sport

By: Angela Pippops (2017)

“Pippos gives an astute insight into the systemic sexism in Australian sport that has excluded women for so long. Through her historic analysis, observations and personal experience from working in sports media, this book is a powerful rally cry for change.” – Kasey Symons

Never say die: The hundred-year overnight success of Australian women’s football

By: Fiona Crawford, Lee McGowan (2019)

“Women’s football in Australia is on a bit of a high at the moment but it’s been a long road and it’s not over yet. Like all women’s sport in this country, there have been overwhelming odds and heartbreak and it’s the due to the endurance and persistence of the women’s football community that kept the game going. Never Say Die is full interviews with FIFA and FFA board members, Matildas past and present, W-League coaches and players, and state and club administrators. And my football club, The Flying Bats, get a mention so 5 stars for that alone!” – Danielle Warby

Shine: the making of the Australian netball diamonds

By: Megan Maurice, Jenny Sinclair (2016)

“Shine is an engaging read from start to finish. The personalities of all the players really ‘shine’ though and there’s plenty here for everyone from the casual reader to the biggest die-hard netball fan.” – Danielle Warby

Play On! The history of women’s Australian rules football

By: Brunette Lenkic, Rob Hess (2016)

“[Play On] has helped everyone who has been a small piece of the women’s football puzzle to realise that they are part of a much bigger picture.” – Brunette Lenkic

Unbreakable: The story of Jelena Dokic, in her words

By: Jelena Dokic, Jessica Halloran (2017)

“I found this book very confronting. It wasn’t just the abuse that Jelena endured at the hands of her father, which was brutal, but also the lack of duty of care shown by those that could have helped. A discussion desperately needs to be had around protecting vulnerable children in sport. A must read.” – Danielle Warby

“An incredible read” – Megan Maurice

Balancing acts: Women in sport. Essays on power, performance, bodies & love

Edited by: Justin Wolfers, Erin Riley (2018)

“Balancing Acts offers different perspectives on the role sports play in broader culture and the intersections of sport in diverse issues. This book is a philosophical, creative approach to writing about sport and provides insights and ideas from a variety of voices (some who might just be Siren co-founders so we know we’re blowing our own horn a bit here!).” – Kasey Symons

Roar: The stories behind AFLW – a movement bigger than sport

By: Samantha Lane (2018)

“Roar gives a detailed modern history of how the AFLW came to be and shares the stories of those who were instrumental in the game’s development and of those who are the voices of its future. Lane’s writing is always compassionate and engaging and this book is no exception.” – Kasey Symons

10 seconds of courage: How to recognise and embrace those life-changing moments

By: Nadine Champion (2017)

“Nadine Champion is a Thai Boxing and Kickboxing Champion. A woman with big dreams trying to find a way through her fear and self-doubt, realising she was seeking approval and validation from her Sensei because she didn’t believe she was ‘enough’ and who (in order to achieve her goals inside the ring) had to confront the reality of who she was outside the ring.” – Jen Brown, Sparta Chicks Radio.

Perspective

By: Ellyse Perry (2019)

“I think this is the perfect book for young women starting to consider professional sport. It’s easy to read with some great advice on focus, determination, working hard and looking after yourself. Perry’s has essentially written a handbook, sharing her story with the aim to influence and help others.” – Kasey Symons

I’ve written a book! ? it’s called More Than A Kick published by @allenandunwin. I hope it’ll be used as a tool to help anyone experiencing something similar to what I did in this wild social media world. It’ll be out on the 28th of April ? preorder – https://t.co/PXXDfHkkWw pic.twitter.com/V7OCwccNo8
— Tayla Harris (@taylaharriss) February 8, 2020

Australian women in sport anthologies

Half the race: A history of Australian women in sport

By: Dr. Marion Stell (1991)

Wicket women : cricket & women in Australia

By: Richard Cashman, Amanda Weaver (1991)

Fiction about women’s sport

Lapse

By: Sarah Thornton (2019)

Currently reading Lapse by Sarah Thornton and really enjoying it. Kind of a mystery, sort of about a woman lying low in a small country town coaching the local footy club. Australian and a bit different from normal sports books.
— Civil Noely from Queensland ? ??? (@YaThinkN) March 4, 2020

Comments

Rachael says

March 10, 2020 at 1:02 pm

Am not sure if you’d count Turia Pitt’s memoir, given she was an ultra-marathon runner?

- Danielle Warby says
  
  April 27, 2020 at 2:09 pm
  
  I’ve added that for you!
  
Katie Purvis says

March 10, 2020 at 1:55 pm

In the category of autobiographies, you can add FIGHTING SPIRIT by Sydney 2000 taekwondo gold medallist Lauren Burns. And I’m not sure what category it would go in, but FOOTBALL’s WOMEN: THE FORGOTTEN HEROES by Kevin Sheedy & Carolyn Brown covers Australian Rules football journalists, coaches, wives, girlfriends, mothers, volunteers and more.

Georgie Young says

March 11, 2020 at 7:18 pm

A couple of autobiographies by really inspirational female athletes:
1. Free Rein The Autobiography of an Olympic Heroine by Gillian Rolton. One of the great things about equestrian sports is that men and women compete as equals, but that doesn’t always mean women get an equal run at it.
2. My Story by Louise Sauvage. A trailblazing Paralympic athlete if ever there was one.

Lyndell Murray says

April 5, 2020 at 11:43 am

Rob Harvey wrote “Captains File: from Peden to Haynes: Australia’s Women Test Cricket Captains, published in 2018.