Women, Football and History: International Perspectives

This paper provides an overview of a collection of works related to women and football from international perspectives. After a general discursive introduction, the material discussed has its emphasis on studies connected to women and football that occur outside the locus of established scholarship. In particular, it is noted that the works concentrate on the geographic locations of New Zealand, Australia and the USA, and four major football codes are covered. The investigations are also not limited to women playing football, but female spectators and coterie groups are also considered. In terms of variety, different methodological and theoretical approaches are adopted, and a range of time periods are reflected on. Given the existing state of play, it would seem there is still much to be uncovered, documented and written about when it comes to women and the football codes. The conclusion is that any research agenda that emerges from observations on international perspectives concerning the relationship of women with football will continue to resonate and add value to wider understandings of sport and gender.