Sport Collections

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander visitors are kindly advised that this website includes images, sounds and names of people who have passed.

All users should be aware that some topics or historical content may be culturally sensitive, offensive or distressing, and that some images may contain nudity or are of people not yet identified. Certain words, terms or descriptions may reflect the author's/creator's attitude or that of the period in which they were written, but are now considered inappropriate in today's context.

Key to library resources

Access anywhere with a library card In the Library (or anywhere with a Library card for NSW residents)
Available to access in the library Only in the Library
Publicly available online Publicly available

Digitised collections

As a part of the Library’s ongoing commitment to preserving our collection and improving access, the Library has a comprehensive digitisation strategy. The Library’s Digital Excellence Program, funded by the NSW government, is a 10-year project that has produced over 20 million digitised images and book pages.

You can read more about our digitisation activities here.

In addition to being fully searchable and viewable via the main catalogue, our digitised items can be searched on our Digital Collections viewer, showcasing the Library’s digitised books, images, original materials and more.


Search filters

Screenshot of State Library of NSW catalogue

Use the collection viewer to search for digitised sporting material. As with the main catalogue, your search results can be filtered via a drop-down menu, and can be sorted according to date, name or relevance.


Tags

Screenshot of State Library of NSW catalogue

Tags allow users to find similar items without needing to perform a new search. A digitised file may be tagged with the name of the sport, sports person, team, venue and/or a wide range of other descriptors.


Download

Screenshot of State Library of NSW catalogue

Use the collection viewer to download copies of digitised collection items, by selecting the ‘Use This’ button.


Collection highlights

Screenshot of State Library of NSW catalogue

The Library showcases interesting items with a changing set of curated collections. Be sure to check the collection viewer regularly to see what is on display.