Women, War and Football

Abstract

This chapter traces the origins and diffusion of competitive women’s football, from its birthplace in Western Australia in 1915 to its subsequent flowering in South Australia and then Victoria. In most cases, these games, with proceeds directed to such patriotic charities as “Comforts for the Anzacs”, attracted sizeable crowds; some were played under the patronage of state governors, civic officials, members of parliament, and senior military officers. As news of these unusual matches was disseminated, it seems highly likely that it was in fact the legitimacy of the games as patriotic fundraising events that sustained them. The advent of war undoubtedly helped to create an opportunity, which had previously not been provided or adequately supported, to allow women to play football.