DA's Australian Sports History Podcast is a record of DA's research into past events & Australian sporting personalities.
It is not intended to be a definitive history of Australian sport. More, a collection of random events of interest.
Happy to have you on the journey. Trust the topics will not only be of interest to you but may motivate you to read further on the various subjects.
If you wish to make a comment, feel free to do so via "idealinsport@gmail.com"
Until the next episode .............. "that's stumps......... & thank you ball boys, thank you Hawkeye................... DA
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.
15 Sept 2026
1968 Australian Rules Football - Bob Skilton
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.
1 Sept 2026
1968 Squash Heather Mckay
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.
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