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July 14, 2023
What’s more lovely than getting immersed in a book while sunbathing, listening to a podcast in the park, or watching a movie to relax and chill out during the summer? Here are some podcast, movie and book picks for these summer months (depending on where you are in the world) that will surely inspire, entertain and satisfy your sports appetite.
GAME ON: THE UNSTOPPABLE RISE OF WOMEN’S SPORT
Game On is a book and debut documentary on sports’ unique capacity to challenge and change society, bring joy and hope and improve physical and mental health. It’s based on the question of why half the population has been deprived of access to sports – something so culturally entrenched and powerful – and focuses on the landscape for women’s sport, which has finally begun to shift.
Game On is written, directed and produced by Sue Anstiss MBE, a women’s sports activist who has driven change in sport for over 30 years. She is also the co-founder of the Women’s Sport Collective and a founding trustee of the Women’s Sport Trust. She has been a Beyond Sport supporter for many years and moderated a panel at Beyond the Games 2022. The book and documentary explore how female athletes don’t receive equal funding or opportunities, such as considerably less prize money, lower sponsorship revenues and a tiny fraction of the media coverage compared to their male counterparts.
Drawing on her own experiences and interviews with high-profile Olympic and Paralympic champions, broadcasters, journalists, sports scientists, CEOs, officials and sponsors, Anstiss investigates why women have been excluded from the world of sport for centuries – and why we are now witnessing positive change as never before. Game On is a celebration of the trailblazing women opening doors for others and a manifesto for women’s sport – a rallying cry to ensure the progress we are currently seeing goes from strength to strength and an inspiring book to read or documentary to watch this summer – especially in the lead up to the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, which kicks off in six days.
This award-nominated comedy follows the story of Michael “Eddie the Eagle” Edwards, Britain’s most famous ski jumper, on his journey to Olympic fame. Cut from the Olympic team, Eddie travels to Germany to test his skiing skills which leads him to former ski jumper Bronson Peary who agrees to train him. Eddie eventually makes his way to the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary, Canada and becomes the first British ski jumper to compete in the games since the 1920s. This true motivational underdog story is full of spirit and determination and an all-around good feel movie that’s a must-watch for the first-time, second, or third this summer.
NO BALLS – THE CRICKET PODCAST
Hosts and best mates, England cricketer’s Alex Hartley and Kate Cross engage in frank discussions that tackle important issues in the game such as mental health, sexism and diversity. At the heart of this fun podcast are honest discussions of sexuality to tales of getting locked in a changing room toilet. The two female cricketers also bring on special guests such as England teammates Katherine Brunt and Nat Sciver to discuss experiences and pressing issues on and off the cricket field. The podcast received the 2023 Best Equality and Social Impact Podcast Award by Sports Podcast Group and is a must-listen when you have free time.
This biopic tells the powerful story of Hall of Famer Nat “Sweetwater” Clifton, the first African American to sign a contract with the National Basketball Association (NBA). The film follows how Clifton, the star of the Harlem Globetrotters, was able to break the color barrier in 1950 and open the door for countless other players through the power of basketball. The biopic addresses many issues that the U.S. faced in the 1940s and continues to, around racism, inequity and social justice. In a moving true story of inspiration – this film is a must-watch!
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