Australian Society for Sports History

In the 27th Annual Tom Brock Lecture, “History, Bluebags & Memory: The Legacy of Terry Williams,” moderator Patrick Skene joins panel members Glen Dwyer, Mat Hunt and Brad Ryder to celebrate Terry Williams’s life and enduring contribution to rugby league history, particularly his passionate work preserving the stories and heritage of the Newtown Bluebags. Watch through YouTube

Several ASSH members now publish their research on Substack:

• Pat Rodgers – Forgotten Cricket Stories – https://patrodgers.substack.com/
• Patrick Skene – Skene in the Game – https://skeneinthegame.substack.com/
• Paul Palisi – Aussie Rules in the Capital https://actfootyhistory.substack.com

Tom Brock Bequest Committee member and longstanding Tom Brock Lecture MC and moderator Terry Williams tragically died in February 2026. Terry’s passion for Rugby League and knowledge of the game’s rich history are unmatched, and to honour his memory and outstanding contribution to the game we are proud to announce that this year’s Tom Brock Lecture will reflect on Terry and his ongoing legacy.

Wednesday, 2 September 2026, 6:30 – 8:00pm at Petersham RSL, 301 Trafalgar St Petersham NSW 2049

This is a free event and light refreshments will be served after the panel discussion

Register now via Eventbrite –

Tom Brock Bequest supports rugby league research through several scholarships. Applications are now open for the 2026-27 Tom Brock and Wes Smythe scholarships.

• Tom Brock Scholarship 2026/27
• Wes Smythe Award for a Community and Rugby League Project 2026–27

Applications for both awards will close Friday 26 June 2026. More information/ 

Congratulations to ASSH member Peter Haby on his induction into the Hawthorn Football Club Hall of Fame. A foundation member of the Hawks Forever historical committee in 1992, Haby was the driving force behind the creation of the Hawks Museum.More information.

Expressions of Interest (EOIs) for the 2026 Jack Marsh History Lecture, an annual research initiative established to foster innovative scholarship relating to the history of the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) precinct.Closes 30 April 2026. Further information.

Sporting Traditions Editors have created an editorial team to provide assistance and advice to the Editors.. Congratulations to the new Associate Editors:

• Andrew Eyers (Victoria University)
• Chelsea Litchfield (Charles Sturt University)
• Jaqueline Osborne (Charles Sturt University)
• Lloyd Rothwell (University of Technology Sydney)

Inquiries about and submissions to Sporting Traditions should be made to the Editors: Lionel Frost (lionel.frost@monash.edu) and Abdel K. Halabi (abdel.halabi@federation.edu.au). 

Expressions of interest are sought for one or more Associate Editor (AE) positions for Sporting Traditions. Expression of interest closes on 6 March 2026. Further information.

Sporting Traditions editors are pleased to announce that the inaugural 2025 (Volume 42) Sporting Traditions Best Article Prize is awarded to: Eliezer Rubenstein Sturgess, ‘Covering the field: Herbert Vere Evatt’s notable contribution to Australian cricket’. (November 2025: 167-192).

Further information

Membership options and payment information at – ASSH Membership