Category: Author – Greg Blood
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Australian Sports Books & Films 2026
– Updated 5 November 2026 By Greg Blood List of books and films covering Australian sport in 2026 that tell the story of specific sports, athletes, teams, events and issues. Includes books by Australian authors/editors published overseas. Links to publisher website where available. Updated during 2026. Athletics Australian Football Australian Sport Cricket Cycling Football Golf…
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Forging Champions : a review
By Greg Blood The recent documentary Forging Champions has shone a light on several outstanding Australian athletes assisted by the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) that have had significant success on the world sporting stage. This review examines themes, messages and omissions from the documentary. I had a small involvement at the early stages of…
australiansportreflections
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Vale Jim Ferguson (1940-2026) – Australian Sports Commission’s Longest Serving Chief Executive Officer (1990-2000)
By Greg Blood Jim Ferguson played a significant role in the development of the Australian sport system in the lead up to the 2000 Sydney Olympic and Paralympic Games. He was the Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Sports Commission (ASC) from June 1990 to December 2000. Prior to his appointment to the ASC, Ferguson…
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Australian Prime Ministers and Sport Series – Edmund Barton
By Greg Blood EDMUND BARTON PROTECTIONIST PARTY 1st Prime Minister: 1901-1903 Edmund Barton, Australia’s first prime minister, had a significant connection with sport as a cricketer and rower and then as an administrator in cricket and rugby union. His involvement in sport occurred when sport in the New South Wales colony was becoming more organised and…
australiansportreflections
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Australian Prime Ministers and Sport Series – George Reid
By Greg Blood SIR GEORGE HOUSTAIN REID,HOUSTAIN KCMG, KC LIBERAL FREE TRADE PARTY 4th Prime Minister: 1904-1905 George Reid combined his political career in the New South Wales and federal parliaments with his time as president as NSW Cricket Association. He ceased his involvement with cricket administration by the time he became Australia’s fourth prime minister…
australiansportreflections
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Notable Australian Sporting Deaths in 2025
List of notable Australian sportspeople that died in 2025. These people have contributed significantly to their sport and Australian sport in playing, coaching, administration or media roles. Sport Australia Hall of Fame (SAHOF) members – Bob Simpson AO, Allan Moffatt OBE Administration Archery Athletics Australian Football Baseball Basketball Boxing Cricket Cycling Football Golf Gymnastics Hockey…
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History of State Institute / Academy of Sport (SIS/SAS) Directors – Updated February 2026
By Greg Blood Longevity is a hallmark in the history of SIS/SAS directors and they have covered many areas of sport expertise – elite athletes, coaches, sports science/medicine professionals and sport/government administrators. The establishment of SIS/SAS commenced shortly after the Australian Institute of Sport (1981). South Australia was first with SASI in 1982 followed by Western…
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Australian Sports Books & Films 2025
By Greg Blood List of books and films covering Australian sport in 2025 that tell the story of specific sports, athletes, teams, events and issues. Includes books by Australian authors/editors published overseas. Books authored by current Australian Society for SportsHistory (ASSH) members are highlighted. The Society has several book awards. Links to publisher website where…
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Australian Sport Leadership Changes in 2025
By Greg Blood Since 2000, I have been tracking changes in CEO’s and Chairs/Presidents of major national Australian sports organisations. Listed are changes that have occurred in 2025 in CEO’s and Presidents/Chairs. These changes hopefully provide an insight into stability, renewal and diversity in national sports organisations (NSOs). With the re-election of Albanese Government in…
australiansportreflections
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Vale Bob Hobson: Significant AIS / ASC Leader 1984 to 2000.
By Greg Blood Robert ‘Bob” Hobson played a significant role in the development of the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) and the Australian Sports Commission (ASC) from 1984 to 2000. During this period, he led the corporate and business services of both organisations through momentous changes and controversies. Hobson grew up in Canberra and attended…
australiansportreflections