KB Hill reminisces about the roots of tennis at Wangaratta’s Merriwa Park and profiles champion tennis players over the last century.
A tale of two Olympics: The Economics of the Beijing Winter Olympics 2022
February 7, 2022 by 4 Comments
With the Winter Olympics in full swing, Tim Harcourt tells two tales of one city – how the cogs moving behind the scenes at Beijing differ between 2022 and 2008 (and also what both games meant to Australia)
Almanac Tennis: Rafa’s tennis is as good as it gets
February 4, 2022 by 3 Comments
He may or may not end up the most successful of the big three, but the Spanish superstar provides the best theatre, writes RON REED
Almanac Book Review: ‘Games People Played: A Global History Of Sport’ by Wray Vamplew
January 29, 2022 by 2 Comments
‘Games People Played: A Global History Of Sport’ by Wray Vamplew constitutes the fruits of half a century of research and makes an unparalleled contribution to our understanding of sport and the role it has played in the history of the world. In his review Braham Dabscheck states the book is a tour de force which will be a standard work in sports history for many years to come.
Almanac Tennis: Martina and My Tennis Ball
January 28, 2022 by 13 Comments
Smokie recalls Martina Navratilova thwacking his tennis ball at the 1983 Australian Open.
Almanac Tennis – Double Fault: Djokovic and two missed shots
January 24, 2022 by 5 Comments
Perhaps the dust has begun to settle on the visa drama around men’s top ranked player, Novak Djokovic as the tournament inspires and entertains…but perhaps not. Jonathan Cuch looks at the maelstrom of controversy that the Serbian star regularly courts.
Almanac Olympics: Winter Olympic Boycott
January 14, 2022 by 1 Comment
The Winter Olympics 2022 in Beijing are shaping up as a political, diplomatic challenge suggests Glen!
Almanac Baseball: A Beacom of Light
January 14, 2022 by 3 Comments
For the first time in Australian professional baseball history a female, Genevieve Beacom, took the pitcher’s mound as Brian The Ruminator reports.
Almanac Books: Paul Circosta and the writing of Vanishing Footprints
January 11, 2022 by 1 Comment
Paul Circosta has been research and writing the story of Mike McNamara and Herb Hedemann for many years. He tells the story of the story here and how Vanishing Footprints came together.
Almanac Books: ‘Vanishing Footprints’ – Paul Circosta
January 7, 2022 by Leave a Comment
Paul Circosta’s new book, ‘Vanishing Footprints’, about two pioneers in ultra-marathon running in Australia, Mike McNamara and Herb Hedemann is now available for purchase.
Almanac Footy History: The Nullawil Maroons Part 1 – Mallee dominance
December 8, 2021 by 6 Comments
As the Hayden Kelly Scholar, Paddy Grindlay has been researching Nullawil and its footy club. This is the first in a series of articles which profile Nullawil and its success.
Almanac Sport: Footy Clubs and Community – The International Day of People with Disabilities
December 3, 2021 by 4 Comments
Peter Baulderstone went to a breakfast for the International Day of People with Disabilities at his WAFL club Swan Districts. The powerful story of the speakers and the club’s wheelchair footy team convinced him that football clubs play a vital community role well beyond September.
Almanac Rugby: Autumn Nations Series Wrap
November 22, 2021 by 3 Comments
The international rugby season has come to an end with overnight matches in the northern hemisphere. Our rugby aficionado, Brian the Ruminator, summarises the Autumn Nations Series.
Almanac Books: Review – ‘football belongs: Eight Matches That Explain Australia’ – John Didulica
November 12, 2021 by 2 Comments
Roy Hay reviews John Didulica’s book, ‘football belongs: Eight Matches That Explain Australia’, a book that examines significant soccer moments pivotal to the code in Australia.
Almanac Baseball: MLB (Make the League Better)
November 10, 2021 by 3 Comments
Brian The Ruminator discusses a suggestion he made for Major League Baseball improvements which is now to be taken up by the league.
Almanac Football History – 1858 and all that: the origins of Australian Rules Football
In this extract from his publication on the economics and economic history of the football codes, Tim Harcourt finds that Aussie Rules Football really is ‘a game of our own’ and a social phenomenon that Australians can be truly proud of.