Sport in Australia
A Social History

This book is exciting survey of Australia's sporting life since white settlement.

Wray Vamplew (Edited by), Brian Stoddart (Edited by)

9780521071352, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 28 August 2008

364 pages, 42 b/w illus.
24.4 x 17.1 x 1.9 cm, 0.58 kg

Review of the hardback: 'This is an interesting and well-researched book and will be enjoyed by those interested in social history and in evolution as well as lovers of sport.' The Northern Advocate

Australia is often seen as a sport-obsessed nation, its people besotted with watching and playing sport. This book is an exciting survey of Australia's sporting life since white settlement. It deals comprehensively with the history of a range of individual sports in Australia, including cricket, horse-racing, netball, rowing, tennis, lawn bowls, swimming and surfing and the various football codes. Leading sports historians look at the impact of professionalization and commercialization on many sports, the link between sport and nationalism, the successes of Australian sport in the international arena and the effect of the communications revolution on sport. The book shows that class prejudice, sexual segregation and racial discrimination have permeated Australia's sporting history, arguing that sport in Australia has not taken place on a level playing field. Sport in Australia demonstrates the central role of sport in Australian popular culture and shows the ways in which sport reflects changing Australian society.

Preface
1. Australians and sport Wray Vamplew
2. Athletics John A. Daly
3. Australian football Bernard Whimpress
4. Boxing Wray Vamplew
5. Cricket Richard Cashman
6. Golf Brian Stoddart
7. Horse-racing and trotting John O'Hara
8. Lawn Bowls Louella McCarthy
9. Lawn Tennis Graeme Kinross-Smith
10. Netball Ian F. Jobling
11. Rowing and sculling Daryl Adair
12. Rugby Murray G. Phillips
13. Soccer Philip Mosely and Bill Murray
14. Swimming, surfing and surf-lifesaving Douglas Booth
15. Reflections past and present Brian Stoddart
Index.

Subject Areas: Australasian & Pacific history [HBJM]