Matthew Nicholson Boeken

Focusing on the evolution of Australian sport policy, this book critiques its development from the 1920s to the present, highlighting key changes in elite and community sport. The authors situate national policies within the unique political, economic, and cultural contexts of Australia, offering insights into significant shifts that have shaped contemporary sport. Through a historical lens, it provides a comprehensive analysis of how various factors have influenced the trajectory of sport policy in the country.

Set in 1971, the story follows 19-year-old Jack as he navigates the chaotic world of sex, drugs, and rock 'n' roll, all while dealing with three vengeful ghosts. These spirits have stolen his girlfriend and are forcing him to master long-lost musical riffs that carry deadly consequences. Jack's adventure leads him from a quiet college town to the vibrant streets of Ladbroke Grove, where he faces betrayal, wild rituals, and harsh truths about friendship and love.

The book provides a critical analysis of international sport policies through a structured approach, divided into three parts. The first part reviews the context and development of sport policy, while the second examines the state's regulatory role in media, gambling, environment, and organizational practices. The final part explores the intersections between sport and other government policies. Utilizing an international comparative approach, it offers a comprehensive understanding of sport policy, making it essential for students and practitioners in the field.

Australia's Game is the definitive history of Australian football, tracing the evolution of the game from its earliest, rudimentary forms - in the period preceding the first recorded game, in 1858 - to the totally professional game of the modern era. The authors, all passionate about the history of Australian football, have provided readers with the fine detail of every important evolutionary point in the game's development, in every state and territory. Australia's Game also explores historical AFL issues including a deeper discussion on Australian women in the AFL as both supporters and players, as well as new evidence on the theory that the game was developed as an offshoot of an Aboriginal game. The book traces the pathway to the national game, including forensic detail on how the Victorian Football League, on its knees in the eighties, with several clubs on the verge of bankruptcy, made the bold step to creating the monolithic national League.