Indigenous sports biographies / R.T. Watts (editor).

For teachers of secondary school students.

From the early days of the colonies, Aboriginal people were distinct by nature of their athleticism, strength and endurance. This was noted numerous times by explorers, pastoralists and by travelers. The harbour suburb of Manly was named after the people Captain Arthur Philip encountered. Aboriginal people culturally and genetically were predisposed to endurance, speed of movement and general physical strength. This showed up when Aboriginals involved themselves in competitive sporting events from the early days of the colony. These are stories of great sporting Australians who contributed to not only Aboriginal sporting prowess but to the nation as a whole. Each of these stories is inspirational, interesting and provides an historical context to the colonisation, development and place that Aboriginal people have continued to struggle to obtain.