Ladies First

Ladies First by Ashley Morrison is a compelling account of the remarkable journey undertaken by the Australian women's hockey team at the 1988 Seoul Olympic Games.

These 16 women secured Australia's first Olympic Gold Medal in Hockey and clinched the nation's first Gold Medal for a team sport. Yet, despite their incredible feat, their achievements have faded into relative obscurity over time compared with other Gold Medal winners.

Morrison delves into the intriguing question of why this team, despite their groundbreaking success, has been largely overlooked by history.

Set against the backdrop of one of the last 'amateur' Games, the story raises questions about the shifting landscape of sports and the challenges female athletes face in gaining recognition for their accomplishments.

Through heartfelt storytelling, Ladies First shines a light on these trailblazing women who etched their names into Australia's sporting history and were the pioneers for the team we now know as the 'Hockeyroos', ensuring their legacy is not forgotten.

Ashley Morrison is a broadcaster, author and award-winning documentary film maker, and has worked in print media, radio and television. Born and raised in England Ashley has called Australia home for over 35 years. He has commentated on a number of sports in Australia and overseas and is known for covering hockey, football, rugby and boxing. He has made four sport-related documentaries and this is his sixth book. All of these except for one have had a strong sporting connection.Ashley believes that everyone has a story to tell, and sometimes it is up to others to tell it on their behalf.