Celebrating Women in Sport Through Literature
Victoria: Australians are passionate about sports, and we cherish compelling sports narratives that capture this love. While many sporting stories unfold on fields and courts, our rich literature also tells inspiring tales of athleticism. Women have always engaged in sports, and they have been contributing to the narrative by writing about it. For your summer reading list, here are some noteworthy books penned by women and non-binary authors, each offering unique perspectives on sports. From history and non-fiction to poetry, crime, and romance, there’s something for every reader in this collection, appealing to diverse sports fans seeking fresh viewpoints.
The First Women’s Ashes
Marion Stell’s The Bodyline Fix: How Women Saved Cricket uncovers an intriguing yet often overlooked chapter in cricket history. The book highlights the pivotal role of Australian female cricketers in the 1930s in safeguarding the integrity of the sport following the controversial men’s Bodyline series of 1932-33, which strained Australia-England relations. Stell, a leading sports historian in Australia, has meticulously collated stories of women’s sports, digging through historical documents, personal scrapbooks, and microfilm archives. Her earlier works, including Half the Race: A History of Australian Women in Sport (1991), and Women in Boots: Football and Feminism in the 1970s (2020), co-authored with Heather Reid, are also essential reads.
Stell illustrates the inaugural women’s Test series against England in the summer of 1934-35—a ground-breaking moment that showcased women’s cricket. This series brought together players from varied backgrounds, social classes, and cricketing experiences to represent Australia, as these women bravely challenged societal expectations and public scrutiny. Their trailblazing efforts have significantly contributed to the robust culture of women’s cricket today. The 90th anniversary of this remarkable event will be celebrated with a historic test match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, commencing on January 30, 2025. It’s the ideal time to delve into the stories of these pioneering women and honor their legacy.
Women’s Perspectives on Footy
When it comes to Australian rules football literature, we often encounter memoirs and biographies that discuss the game’s history and cultural impact. However, fictional representations are scarce, especially those authored by women. In a 2014 article, Ed Wright noted that despite being a culturally unique phenomenon, Aussie rules football is underrepresented in literature, particularly in Melbourne, our UNESCO City of Literature. Yet around that time, several fascinating novels by women emerged: The Family Men by Catherine Harris (2014), Game Day by Miriam Sved (2014), and The Whole of My World by Nicole Hayes (2013). These narratives explore the connection women have with the sport while addressing its darker sides, including the effects of toxic masculinity.
Additionally, Sarah Thornton’s Lapse presents a crime thriller set in rural Australia, centering on former lawyer Clementine Jones, who takes on the role of coach at a local footy club. This novel portrays the complexities of rural life, racial tensions within small communities, and the unique dynamics of country footy, all within the suspenseful framework of a thriller. Thornton offers a fresh perspective on the “stranger in a small town” trope through the lens of a woman navigating a predominantly masculine environment.
Another must-read is The Season by the acclaimed Australian author Helen Garner. This book chronicles Garner’s experiences attending her grandson’s under-16s football matches throughout a season. Filled with insights on masculinity and sport’s role in shaping identity, Garner also reflects on her connection with her AFL team, the Western Bulldogs, and what it means to support a team. Her narrative enriches the footy literature genre, providing a new lens through which to view our beloved sports.
The Rise of the Matildas
Who wasn’t swept away by the exhilaration of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup? The event introduced many new fans to women’s football. Football historian and academic Fiona Crawford has dedicated recent years to documenting the rising prominence of Australia’s national women’s team, the Matildas. Her book The Matilda Effect (2023) released just before the World Cup, and her earlier collaboration on Never Say Die: The Hundred-Year Overnight Success of Australian Women’s Football (2019) with Lee McGowan are both notable contributions to sports literature. In her recently published The Rise of the Matildas, Crawford reflects on the Matildas’ World Cup journey. With expert insight and respect for the game’s trailblazers, her engaging prose connects readers with this historic moment, which has the potential to reshape Australian women’s football.
Exploring Identity and Sport
Ellen van Neerven’s Personal Score: Sport, Culture, Identity is a poignant mix of memoir, poetry, and cultural commentary. Through insightful essays, reflections, and poetry, van Neerven navigates the intersections of sport, culture, and identity, focusing on their experiences as a queer, non-binary First Nations individual. The book alternates between personal reflection and incisive political critique, examining the implications of playing sports on stolen land and the colonial history of the game. It narrates stories of trauma and resilience, illustrating hopes for more inclusive representations in Australian sports and the actionable steps needed to achieve this change.
A New Era for Sports Romance
As sales of romance fiction continue to rise, sports romance has emerged as a vibrant segment of the market. The inaugural Sports Romance Convention is set to take place in Minneapolis, USA, from February 28 to March 2, 2025. In the wake of the Australian Open, a timely addition to the genre is Love and Other Scores by Abra Pressler. This novel follows an international tennis star who harbors a secret while competing in Melbourne’s grand slam tournament. As he falls for a local, his hidden truth threatens to surface. Pressler’s narrative explores the stigma surrounding diverse sexualities in men’s sports while also depicting a more inclusive environment. True to the romance genre, it offers an uplifting “happily ever after” conclusion, allowing readers to envision a future where such issues are resolved and celebrated. Love and Other Scores is a delightful, queer romance featuring a diverse cast of characters, making it a perfect addition to anyone’s summer reading list.
