Breaking the Mould

by Angela Pippos

Sport is integral to Australian life and identity, and we’re rightly proud of our sporting achievements. But less glorious is the fact that, when it comes to the games we play, half of the population doesn’t get a look-in. According to the latest statistics, 81 per cent of sports media covers male-only sport, while just 8.7 per cent focuses on women. That’s right – horses got more attention than female athletes! Pick any sport and it’s easy to find examples of stark gender inequality and double standards so glaring that they’re almost laughable.

But an extraordinary transformation is taking place, and nobody is better placed to call it than veteran sports journalist Angela Pippos. In Breaking the Mould , Pippos charts a powerful awakening across Australian life; from suburban footy fields to stadium cage fights, female athletes are changing the status quo through fierce determination and undeniable performances.

Through candid and often hilarious personal tales from a life spent in and around sport, Pippos calls out the systems that have kept women on the sidelines, and challenges us to keep working towards a level playing field where any young woman can become her sporting best.

Genres: Nonfiction

213 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 1, 2017

Reviews

[Ryan · Rating 3 out of 5]

great book overall despite being occasionally repetitive with an inability to cleanly close off chapters. great use of stats and anecdotes to bring the major issues to life as well. definitely worth a read, just don't be afraid to skim some bits towards the end of chapters

[Claire Preston · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good factual account of the state of women’s sport in Australia and the long road ahead to equality. Interesting, concerning but perhaps not surprising. A good mix of research and the authors own experience but it would have benefited from being more condensed and to the point in places.

[Catherine Morelli]

Definitely one for anyone, particularly women who have played sport and always felt the exclusion etc. Challenges the way we think and how we want our world to be.

[Bron · Rating 4 out of 5]

An inspiring, and sometimes pretty emotional, read. Loved it.