DISCOVER THE fascinating RISE OF THE BEAUTIFUL GAME in our great country, WRITTEN BY FOOTBALL AUSTRALIA HALL OF FAME MEMBER AND Award-winning JOURNALIST TED SIMMONS, OAM
Australian Soccer - From the beginning
By Ted Simmons, OAM
Ted Simmons is a respected soccer writer of 60 years' standing and with his passion for the game and journalist's eye for detail he has compiled an encyclopaedic, state by state history of the game in Australia. From an era when teams grew out of occupations and ethnic clans through to the modern era of Australia's international successes illustrated by the Socceroos and the Matildas, Ted chronicles a fascinating story of the development
of soccer across the country. He describes how the game began in the 1800s-in coal mines, on goldfields, in gentlemen's clubs and in trailblazing women's supporter networks-detailing how each state formed clubs, established competitions, struggled for funding, fought with their administrations, experienced success and failure; and grew into the extraordinarily popular sport for men and women that soccer is in Australia today.
“TED HAS DELVED DEEP INTO THE CORE OF THE ESSENCE OF THOSE WHO HAVE MADE SUCH A SUBSTANTIAL CONTRIBUTION TO THE GAME HERE”
- Rale Rasic Oam, Football Australia Hall Of Fame
“The book covers the game at state as well as national level. It is particularly strong on women’s contribution to the game in Australia. There are many illustrations, some seen here for the first time since their initial publication.”
- James Johnson, CEO football australia
“While the Matildas are now globally successful, it is easy to forget how recent that success has been … Australian Soccer - From The Beginning charts that evolution. As Ted Simmons writes: The sport had travelled a long way from the days when women wore sandshoes for a social kick and giggle in a park.”
- JULIE DOLAN AM, Matildas Cap no.1, FOOTBALL AUSTRALIA HALL OF FAME
“While there are many books on men’s soccer, and books that cover some aspects of the women’s game, there is nothing like the all-encompassing approach Ted applied to his manuscript…. it’s a landmark publication in Australian sport.”
- Pip Butler, PB Publishing
Launch Event
On the 28th of July 2023, Australian Soccer - From the Beginning celebrated its launch at the Castlereagh Boutique Hotel in Sydney. Trixie Tagg and Julie Dolan AM, both pioneers of Women’s Soccer in Australia were in attendance, as well as several renowned journalists who have worked with Ted during his incredible career.
The room was lively and filled with questions about Ted, his book, and even about the Women’s World Cup game from the night before.
The event wrapped up with Ted personally signing books, followed by a cake to celebrate his birthday.
