Böcker av Greg Downes

The First Matildas is the story of the women who played for Australia in the Asian Cup Ladies Football Tournament held in Hong Kong in 1975. Australia took part along with teams from Hong Kong, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, and Thailand. The tournament, which was the forerunner to what is known today as the Asian Football Confederation's Women's Asian Cup, was won by New Zealand with Australia placed third. It was a turning point for women's football in Australia. Author and academic Greg Downes speaks with many of the women involved in the 1975 championship, as they tell their story in their own words of how they came to wear the green and gold of Australia for the first time, and the lasting pride they have in doing so. The First Matildas is a fitting testament to the enduring legacy of the 16 women who formed the squad which will continue to inspire future generations of players for years to come.

The Matildas are now one of the most beloved national teams in Australia. But who were the women and men who helped build and develop the women's game locally?Greg Downes profiles 18 people - some well-known in the football fraternity, others not so well-known - who have made contributions, big and small, to help make the women's game what it is today. 'Dedicated Lives' is a living history to be treasured.Based on his PhD dissertation, Greg has talked with, and interviewed, the individuals at length about what brought them into football and, importantly, what has kept them in it. At a time when women's football is riding as high as it has ever been, and with Australia sharing co-hosting responsibilities for the 2023 Women's World Cup, 'Dedicated Lives' is a must-read for anyone interested in football history, women's football, or women's sport fighting and winning against the odds generally.