Footy Country

Photography Book Review: Brian Rope

Footy Country I Photographs by Cory White

Blackwell & Ruth (distributed by Hardie Grant Publishing)

Hardback, 300 pp

ISBN: 978-0-473-738515-0

COVER_Cory White_Footy Country_Principal Cover_28.04.2025

Promotional material for this book says “If an alien landed in Australia and saw the white sticks pointing to the sky, they might assume they were some kind of meeting place for a religion, a place of worship sacred to the people of this land. And they would be right. Welcome to Footy Country.”

Photographer Cory White has drawn inspiration from a deep connection to land, and an intrinsic and curious affection for people. His photography obscures the line between portrait, observation and art, and reveals our landscapes. It often explores themes of community and how Australians gather for recreation.

Footy Country took inspiration from a project celebrating the importance of regional football (colloquially referred to as footy). In some parts it is Australian Rules football (or the AFL); in others it is Rugby League (or the NRL). The footy played in your country town depends on where your town is. 

White’s photographs evoke a sense of togetherness, competitiveness and pride. They highlight the beauty of Australia’s diverse natural settings and evocatively portray the interconnectedness of football and large numbers of Australians. That connection arguably goes to the very heart of what, for many, it means to be Australian. 

My first Australian home was near Dunkeld in Victoria. At school I had to play Australian Rules football. I was hopeless at it, but I learned how country football brings local communities together, connecting all participants – players and umpires on the fields, town folk and local farmers watching, volunteers staffing ovals, people flogging meat pies or whatever else, families, kids, everyone. Footy is about places, competitions, colour, camaraderie, emotions, humour – everything that binds folk together. In just one word – community.

Footy-Country_©2025CoryWhite_2096

Footy-Country_©2025CoryWhite_2165

Footy-Country_©2025CoryWhite_2378

Footy-Country_©2025CoryWhite_3767

Wherever we live, whoever we are, community binds us together. In a small suburban cul-de-sac, residents often get to know each other so well they become a community in that place. If we join a photography or book club and participate regularly in its activities, it becomes an important community for us. If we regularly catch up with the same group of people for a shared meal at a local commercial club or pub (hotel), that is community. If we attend worship services at a place of our choice and join in other activities that it offers, we become part of the community there.

That’s enough examples. My point is whatever we regularly and really participate in become most important parts of our lives. This book is about one particular activity – footy – which provides wonderful community for huge numbers of people in country areas of Australia. Wherever they live, whatever their team, getting involved in any way makes them part of a community that is a key element in their lives, providing a deep connection that binds them all together.

Footy-Country_©2025CoryWhite_4404

Footy-Country_©2025CoryWhite_6348

Footy-Country_©2025CoryWhite_7279

Footy-Country_©2025CoryWhite_7886

In addition to all the photos, the book contains many words – observations by players, supporters and much-loved footy identities. Here’s just a few random selections: 

·     ‘What I love about footy is, it’s “ours”.’ – Jeff Richardson, Coodabeen Champions.

·     ‘The first word that pops into my head when I think about footy is “community”.’ – Ally Anderson, Brisbane Lions AFLW player.

·     ‘Country clubs are the foundation of our game. They don’t just develop players; they develop character, resilience and community spirit. They provide a place for kids to belong and learn about themselves.’ – Matt Cooper, former St George Illawarra Dragons NRL, New South Wales State of Origin and Australian Kangaroos player.

·     ‘Once people saw you kick a football, it broke down barriers. Instead of being the new skinny Black kid, you were the kid everyone wanted on their team.’ – Adam Goodes, former Sydney Swans AFL player.

So, there you have it, the message of this book could not be clearer. I hope you have white sticks pointing to the sky where you live.

This review is also available on the author's blog here.