Sport | National Library of Australia (NLA)

Sport

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Text in a retro font reading '1975 Living in the Seventies' on a bright orange background
1975: Living in the Seventies

Look back on life in the 70s including politics, feminism, pop culture, news of the day, and more.

Exhibition
Three friends watch Rugby World Cup 2003 from the Rocks

Ben Rushton, Three friends in the crowd at the Rocks watching the last minutes of the live telecast of the Rugby World Cup final in 2003, nla.obj-148690668

And the crowd goes wild

Dive into our sporting photography collections with this selection crowds that have showed up to support their favourite athletes.

Blog
Collection guide
Arnold Thomas Collection

Explore the rich history of boxing in Australia through the Arnold Thomas Collection. This unique resource features over 1,000 photographs, souvenir programs, match day cards and ephemera spanning from the 1870s to the 1990s. 

Collection guide
A black and white photo of Louise Sauvage leading another wheelchair racer on a track.

Serena Ovens, Portrait of Louise Sauvage, 1996 paralympian, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-136368441

Australian Centre for Paralympic Studies oral history project

This oral history project underpins a broader Australian Centre for Paralympic Studies project to capture and preserve the history of Paralympic sport.

Information article
Collection guide
Bennetts Collection

Oral history interviews recorded by Neil Bennetts with leading Australian figures in a wide range of sports.

Collection guide
Collection guide
Charles Collection

Small collection of books, pamphlets, catalogues and serials on angling ranging from the 17th to the 20th century collected by Gilbert Charles.

Collection guide
A black and white photo of Louise Sauvage leading another wheelchair racer on a track.

Serena Ovens, Portrait of Louise Sauvage, 1996 paralympian, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-136368441

Disability and sport

The sporting movement for people with disabilities began in the 1940s with the pioneering work of Dr Ludwig Guttmann at Stoke Mandeville Hospital in England.

Research guide
Mountain biker in full gear riding a rocky, dirt path

Mandy Lamont, Remy Blair riding in the All-Mountain Enduro race during the Cannonball Mountain Bike Festival, high alpine Panorama trail, Thredbo, New South Wales, 2025, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-3613430477

Documenting regional sport and competitive events

Score! We’ve commissioned photos of different sports in Australia, including rock climbing, mountain biking and woodchopping.

News article
A gold medal standing upright on a white cotton surface. The medal shows a figure holding a trumped and a wine amphorae. Behind the figure is a bust on a stand. In raised lettering around the edge of the medal are the words 'Olympiska Spelen Stockholm' The year '1912' is also present.

Olympic gold medal won by Miss Fanny Durack at Stockholm, 1912, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-139311257

Fanny Durack

Topic

One of the most significant events at the 1912 Stockholm Olympics was the admission of women into the Olympic swimming competition.

Digital Classroom
Six women smiling as they play football. One has just kicked the ball.

Darren Clark, The Stronger Sisters playing football at the Tennant Creek football Grand Final, 2011, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-152960442

First Nations and sport

First Nations people participated in sports long before Australian Federation.

First Australians
Research guide
Black and white photo of Aboriginal Australian cricketers in 1868 with C. Lawrence and W. Shepherd as Manager and Captain

Aboriginal Australian cricketers with C. Lawrence & W. Shepherd as Manager and Captain, England, 1868, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-136410831

First Nations sporting greats

First Nations athletes have been involved in some of our most triumphant moments in sport and continue to make a significant contribution to our nation’s sport at all levels.

First Australians
Research guide
Fijian Drua vs ACT Brumbies Super Rugby Pacific match, GIO Stadium Canberra, Bruce, Australian Capital Territory, 26 February 2022

Claire Williams, Fijian Drua rugby union team warming up before the Fijian Drua vs ACT Brumbies Super Rugby Pacific match, GIO Stadium Canberra, Bruce, Australian Capital Territory, 26 February 2022, nla.obj-3042304111

Hitting a home run: Study tips from 'The Nash’

We’ve compiled a list of study tips with a sporting twist to help you kick some goals in the educational arena.

Blog

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