Historically, Australian women have made their mark in the sports record books worldwide. Despite this, women’s sport has traditionally played a minor role in Australia’s national identity, coming in a distance third behind sportsmen and racehorses.
For several centuries Australian women have struggled against direct resistance to their participation in sport. But as the struggle for equality continues, undeniable achievements and unwavering determination are now gaining more recognition than even the most impressive horses.
Secondary sources on the history of women in sport are scarce. However, you can find a wide range of relevant material at the Library, including books, journals, newspapers, pictures, oral history interviews and online databases.
Using the catalogue
Quick search
Use the catalogue standard search to find titles, authors, or subjects.
- If you get too many results, use the Limit your search options (at the right of the results page) to display only the items of interest. e.g. audio (oral histories) or manuscripts
- If you need to widen your search, click on subject headings in an item’s catalogue record to find other material related to that subject.
Examples of subject searches you can try include:
Women athletes – Australia
Sports for women - Australia
Sports for women – Australia – [geographical place] (e.g. New South Wales)
Sports for women – social aspects - Australia
Sex discrimination in sports - Australia
Sports – sex differences
Women athletes – social aspects
Selected works
You can also search for women in a particular sport either by individual names or by using different sports and places e.g.
Women – [sport players] – [geographical place]
Geographical place can include both State and city/town e.g. New South Wales – Sydney.
You can also add terms such as Biography, Portraits, Photographs, Interviews.
Examples of subject searches and items in our collections for a selection of sports can be found below.
Women football players
AFL Women’s (AFLW)
Women football players – Australia - biography
Women football players – Australia - history
Selected works
Women swimmers
Women swimmers – Australia – Biography
Women swimmers – Australia – Interviews
Women swimmers – Australia – [Photographs] or [Portraits]
Swimmers – Australia - Portraits
Women swimmers – [geographical place e.g. New South Wales] – [geographical place e.g. Sydney] – [Photographs/Portraits]
Selected items
Women tennis players
Women tennis players – Australia - Biography
Women tennis players – Australia - Interviews
Women tennis players – Australia - Photographs or [portraits]
Tennis players – Australia – [Biography]
Selected items
Women field and track athletes
Women athletes – [Geographical place] – [Biography] or [Interviews] or [Photographs] or [Portraits]
Women track and field athletes – [Geographical place] – [Biography] or [Interviews] etc.
Selected items