Dutch migrants have played a part in Australian soccer stretching back to the 1890s, their main involvement with the game coming in the years between 1950 and 1990 when they set up almost 40 Dutch-flavoured soccer clubs across the country, helped form numerous district clubs, and took up a variety of roles: as players, coaches, administrators, referees, journalists, support staff and club volunteers. During this period nearly 20 players of Dutch heritage – men and women – represented Australia while more than 60 played in state and territory teams. And today, those of Dutch heritage continue to be involved in the game. Between 1946 and 1965 two million European migrants came to Australia, including more than 150,000 from the Netherlands. These migrants enriched and transformed every aspect of the country, including its sporting landscape.

 

Based on Australia-wide research and interviews with scores of Dutch-born migrants, their families and others, Clogball tells the rich story of the role soccer played – and still plays – in the lives of so many Dutch living in ‘New Holland,’ and the overlooked and largely forgotten contribution they’ve made to the round ball code here, individually and collectively. You don’t have to love salty liquorice, cheese, tulips, Johan Cruyff or the colour orange to enjoy this Australian sporting and migrant story.