Reviewed by Rama Gaind.
By Kevin Sheedy, Affirm Press, $39.99.
One of the giants of AFL, Kevin Sheedy crosses codes to celebrate the most iconic Australian sportspeople of his lifetime, and aims to educate young Australians about our rich sporting history.
There’s also a fervent wish that Icons of Sport will inspire others to chase their dreams. He elaborates: “We always need more Australians to rise to the challenge or being the best in the world, not just in sport, but in science, in making movies – all the things we have proved we are good at over our history.”
In Icons of Sport he pays tribute to 28 men and women whose feats have most inspired him during a life in sport. He lets his thoughts “rise up” and gives his key reasons for selecting the icons he has.
From Jack Brabham and Evonne Goolagong Cawley to Ashleigh Barty (the “spirit of our country”) and Cadel Evans, this pantheon of Aussie greats also includes illuminating interviews with John Bertrand, Michelle Payne (a “trailblazer”) and Jessica Watson, the “most courageous teenager in sport — in her craft”. Sheedy praises the dedication of America’s Cup-winning skipper and Olympic sailing medallist, John Bertrand.
So many of the icons in this book discovered their own unique ways to get to the top including Rod Laver and Margaret Court who “discovered tennis at the age of eight”. Then there’s Dawn Fraser, Lionel Rose, Betty Cuthbert, Herb Elliott, Lauren Jackson and some more. Cathy Freeman “became the iconic lighter of the flame for the 2000 Olympics.”
The stories in this tome are not just what we should be telling each other. It also defines the spirit of Australia. Also acknowledged are the people who “helped create the great moments: Craig Stevens stepping aside for Ian Thorpe, or Laurie Morgan – “a genuine sporting all-rounder if ever there was one – laying the groundwork for Bill Roycroft’s courageous ride at the 1960 Rome Olympics.”
Apart from Denis Pagan, there are no people from football codes in this book.
Packed with astuteness, acuity, wit, discernment and memories, Icons of Sport is a treasure trove for all Australian sports fans.
Definitive. Concise. Goal-directed approach. Sheedy – player, coach and innovator -has spent a lifetime looking for winning formulas. The quintessence of professionalism, zeal and spirit: this is his latest feat!
