DA's Australian Sports History

Tennis as at the start of 1968 was in a fractured state.

There were amateurs, and amateurs who were receiving under the table payments which authorities failed or refused to control.

There were professionals who were barred from playing Grand Slam events. But not just one group of professionals playing all the others. There was the National Tennis League with Rod Laver & Ken Rosewall and separately, World Championship Tennis with John Newcombe & Tony Roche.

Players would win Wimbledon and leave the amateur ranks. Tournaments were being de-valued and the tennis pubic was short changed.

This was to change in 1968. The start of the Open era where professionals and amateurs could compete against each other. in selected tournaments. There were teething issues and issues to confront in tennis in the coming years - but for today ...... we look at the start of the Open era and seek to asses whether the professionals were head & shoulder above the amateurs.

Trust you enjoy the episode.

Bob Skilton is an Australian Rules footballer who played in the 1950's and 1960's.

He stood just 5' 7" tall. He was not overly quick. He played in one finals match only, never winning a premiership.

Yet ..............

...........he is a three time competition best and fairest, a member of the AFL Hall of Fame (as a Legend) and was awarded an Order of Australia medal.

He was universally liked and respected.

This is some of the Bob Skilton story. Trust you enjoy the episode.

That's stumps, thank you Ball Boys, thank you Hawk Eye.

In the debate as to who is Australia's greatest ever sports person - Heather McKay must be in the conversation.

The winner of 16 consecutive British Amateur Squash titles, 14 Australian Amateur tiles & 2 World Open titles (including the inaugural title) ........... Heather was undefeated in 17 years of elite competition.

If that is not enough, Heather played hockey for Australia, was a three time World Racketball champion and into her sixties, was the World Masters Tennis Champion for her age group.

From being one of 11 children, to Australian & World champion, to living for a time in Canada, before returning to Australia to coach at the Australian Institute of Sport - this is a short story of the life of Heather McKay.

By defeating the great "Fighting Harada" of Japan, Lionel Rose became the Batam weight Champion of the World in 1968.

His was an instant national hero and awarded the honour of "Australian of the Year" to go with his MBE. A crowd of 250,000 turned out to welcome him home.

From humble beginnings, with the assistance of the likes of Graham Walsh, Frank Oakes, and Jack & Shirley Rennie .......... Lionel rose to international stardom.

After winning the World title, he successfully defended the crown on three occasions before his loss to Ruben Olivares.

Post boxing, there was a fall from grace. His former wife Jenny was his savour. She supported him after the adulation and in the down times. With her assistance it is a tale of redemption. Lionel picks himself up and travels Australia to encourage youth, especially indigenous youth to make the most of their talents and opportunities.

Here is a summary of the Lionel Rose story. Trust you enjoy the episode.

Thank you ball boys, thank you Hawk Eye.

Michael Wenden is an Olympic and Commonwealth Games champion.

His swimming career spanned from 1966 to 1974. He represented Australia in two Olympic Games and three Commonwealth Games winning two Olympic Gold medals at Mexico City and nine Gold medals in Commonwealth Games competition. That included winning the 100m (110 yd) freestyle sprint event in three consecutive Games.

Post his time in the pool, Michael would spend the next twenty years as a volunteer in Sports Administration. He served on the Boards of both the Australian Olympic Committee and the Australian Institute of Sport.

Quite properly, Michael was recognised for his contribution to Australian sport by having him as one of eight flag bearers at the Opening Ceremony at the Sydney Olympic Games.

Michael Wenden is not high profile. He in understated and deflects conversations to other athletes.. Here is some of his story, which I trust you will enjoy.

If you want to give any feedback, you can email "[email protected]"

That's stumps.. Thank you balls boys, thank you Hawk Eye.

Gerald Patterson, the wonderful Australian tennis player of the 1920's passed away on 13 June 1967.

We look back at his career and life.

It was more than just tennis. Gerald was a war time hero being awarded the Military Cross for gallantry. He was the nephew of the Australian icon Dame Nellie Melba and father of racing car driver and businessman - Bill Patterson.

Gerald won the Wimbledon singles title on two occasions, an Australian Open singles crown, multiple Grand Slam doubles titles and was a member of a winning Davis Cup team. He did so adopting a power game with an unmatched huge serve.

The Melbourne born Patterson seemed to excel at everything he turned his hand to. That included other sports, family and business.

Trust you enjoy this short story of tennis legend - Gerald Patterson (the Human Cannonball).

For now, that's stumps. Thank you ball boys, thank you hawk eye.

We take a look back to 1965/66 and the premier domestic cricket competition in Australia - the Sheffield Shield.

Four day matches with large crowds and Test players involved. It was an opportunity for the public to watch their star players in person.

NSW had dominated the competition but Western Australia and South Australia were to have big seasons.. A talking point was the points scoring. The team that was undefeated for the year did not win. A side that lost half of its matches did win. Go figure!.

Players like Ian Chappell, Doug Walters, Bob Cowper, Grahame Thomas, Tony Lock, John Inverarity & Johnny Martin would all be at the fore.

This is a snippet of Australian cricket in the mid sixties. Whilst much is written at test level - there is much less so for the Sheffield Shield. Hope this gives a flavour of the times.

Trust you enjoy the episode. If you wish to comment, feel free at "[email protected]"

That's stumps, thank you ball boys, thank you Hawk Eye.

We look back at Rugby League in Australia as at 1966.

At that time the premier competition was the New South Wales Rugby Football League comprising ten teams - all from New South Wales.

The mighty St George team were on a 10 consecutive premiership run - but how would they fare in 1966 with the retirement of Captain-Coach Norm Provan.

It is a brief look at the league, the Grand Final and the four "immortals" who all played for St George in the 1960's. Norm Provan, Reg Gasnier, Johnny Raper & Graeme Langlands.

Trust you enjoy the episode.

Thank you ball boys, thank you Hawk Eye.

In 1966, the game of Australian rules football was very different.

The premier competition was the Victorian Football League. Twelve teams based in Victoria all playing on a Saturday afternoon on suburban grounds. Grounds that were often muddy & wet.

The game controlled by one umpires was a stop / start affair.. Players playing in set positions on the field. Drop kicks, flat punts and the coaches message .......... "do not handball on the backline"

This episode is simply a snap shot of the game at a point in time.

Who were the clubs & their supporter base. How had they fared to date. Who were favoured in 1966.

It turns out the best teams of the year were Collingwood, St Kilda, Geelong & Essendon. Who would prevail and how was the game broadcast to the fans.

Brings bad fond memories of childhood.

Trust you enjoy the episode

Thank you balls boys, thank you Hawk Eye.

DA

Peter Thomson is remembered for his five British Open and three Australian Open titles.

His legacy to the game of golf is however far greater. than just as a player. He took the game to all parts of the world where he excelled. He was an administrator, a journalist, commentator and course designer.

Born in suburban Melbourne and raised in the post war era, he was a self taught player who first played on the local municipal course access the road from his home. He remained grounded and humble in assessing his outstanding career which extended beyond three decades.

His great love was the links styled golf of Britain and Australia. That is where he played his best golf. Never a long hitter of the ball, he was strategic in his play and sought to avoid trouble. This enabled his great success in Europe where the courses and conditions could be less than perfect.

Peter's finest win came in 1965, in a British Open field that included Jack Nicklaus & Arnold Palmer. It demonstrated to any doubters that he could beat the best in the world.

Trust you enjoy a short tour of Peter Thomson's career.

Thank you ball boys, thank you Hawk Eye.