Play with Pride - Paste Up Exhibition

Play with Pride: 

Celebrating 125 years of Adelaide University Sport

(5 August 2021 - 9 January 2022)

Curated by: Amy Dale, University Library

Online Exhibition

• Image selected: Mixed Football Team, 1969

• Chosen by:  Michelle Wilson, Adelaide University Sport and Fitness General Manager

• Selector's statement: This is a joyful photograph capturing the spirit of community and sport. The diversity in participation it represents is quite amazing for AFL as it predates the inclusion of a formal women’s football competition.

• On display at: The Cloisters

• Image selected: Adelaide University Rowing Crew, 1922

• Chosen by: Mike Daws, Adelaide University Sport General Manager, 2009-2018

• Selector's statement: Winning the prestigious Oxford and Cambridge Cup has always been seen as the pinnacle of men's rowing in University Sport.  An intervarsity race between men's eights, it was first held in 1888.  Over its 130+ year history, Adelaide has won the race on only 11 occasions, remarkably four times over an eight-year period from 2009 to 2016. When held in Adelaide, the race was previously held on the Port River during the early years, as this photo from 1922 shows. Indicating how difficult it has been to win the race, there was a 40-year gap from 1934 to 1974 and a 30-year gap from 1979 to 2009 when Adelaide was unable to take the Cup, although it has been the runner-up on more than 20 occasions over its history. 

• On display at: On Dit Lane

• Image selected: Intervarsity Hockey Team, 1956

• Chosen by:  David Penn, Adelaide University Sports and Fitness President and Adelaide University Cricket Club Life member

• Selector's statement: I chose this image because it illustrates how people of very different backgrounds and experiences can be brought together by the love of their chosen sport.  I think it also captures a shift in the social history of the University, showing how international students have become such an important part of the life of the campus.

• On display at: Union House

• Image selected: Intervarsity Judo Team, 1960

• Chosen by:  Michael Headland, Adelaide University Judo Club, 1972-present

• Selector's statement: The first AU Judo Intervarsity team off to Brisbane only two years after the Club was founded in 1958. The team was coached by Joe Revalk.

• On display at: Union House

• Image selected: Intervarsity Cricket Team, 1925

• Chosen by: Rob O’Shannassy, Adelaide University Cricket Club player and Historian, Blues Award Winner 1968, Adelaide University Cricket Club Blues Committee member 1972-present

• Selector's statement: Photo of the 1925 Intervarsity team that defeated Sydney in December 1925. The team went on to win the South Australian Cricket Association A Grade Premiership in April 1926. Notable players include SA State players: N A Walsh, W C Alexander, L B Power, L S Walsh, D G McKay, B W Hone. Sir Brian William Hone was a noted educationalist and held the post of Headmaster of Melbourne Grammar. Douglas Gordon McKay was an eminent Paediatric Surgeon.

• On display at: Darling West

• Image selected: Intervarsity Women's Hockey Team, 1950

• Chosen by: Juliet Haslam Olympian Hockeyroo and  University of Adelaide  Elite Athlete

• Selector's statement: This 1950 team achieved what few other hockey teams of the era managed, they seized a win from the highly competitive Eastern State universities. I selected this photo to celebrate this achievement and for the sense of joy and pride you can see on the team’s faces. I also love the retro look of the uniforms.

• On display at: Barr Smith Library

• Image selected: Intervarsity Swimming Team, 1935

• Chosen by: Michael Physick, University Representative on the Board of Adelaide University Sport and Fitness, 2003-present

• Selector's statement: While there have been few changes to many sports over the past 125 years, there have been many changes in the uniforms. This photograph from 1935 shows the formality of sport in that era – even swimming. It is great to see a team with equal gender representation, even in 1935.

• On display at: The Braggs

• Image selected: Adelaide University Squash Club, 1963

• Chosen by: Kim Evans, University of Adelaide ‘Roma’s’ (Women’s Rugby 7s) Program Manager, Adelaide University Rugby Player and Coach

• Selector's statement: University sport has always been a great opportunity for student to travel, like this group of young men and women climbing onto ‘TAA Flight 431’ with their racquets and their official Adelaide University Sports Association sports bag.

• On display at: Horace Lamb

• Image selected: Intervarsity Football Club, 1961

• Chosen by: Beth Filmer, Adelaide University Football Club member, former Adelaide University Badminton Player

• Selector's statement: The 1960s was a golden era for the Adelaide University Football Club under coach Allan Greer (1960-67). This 1961 Intervarsity team was captained Tony Clarkson, a Sturt and South Australian State player. The Club played in every A1 Grand Final in the 'Sixies, winning six premierships. This was an enviable record and a performance unsurpassed in amateur league history.

• On display at: Engineering South

• Image selected: Intervarsity Lacrosse Team, 1890

• Chosen by: Margaret Gayen, Adelaide University Athletics Team Captain 2013-2015, Adelaide University Captain for the University Games Team 2015, Blues Award Winner 2014, Blues Committee Member

• Selector's statement: I completed a Bachelor in Mechanical and Sports Engineering at Adelaide University, and part of that degree focused on the design of sports equipment and clothing. This photo is fascinating to me because it demonstrates the development in equipment and sports clothing that has occurred over the last 130 years – just look at the boots, and the lacrosse sticks! In comparison though, the body language of the team members is so familiar, it could be any sports team today.

• On display at: Barr Smith Library