Henry Hanson

Central midfielder Max Balard scores two minutes into his international debut as the Socceroos defeat New Zealand 1-0 in the first leg of the Soccer Ashes in Canberra.

In 2009, a teenaged Álex Sanchez became the first man with a physical disability to play in the top division of Spanish soccer. Despite a crude media frenzy, he looks back on it as his career's crowning achievement.

The Sydney Roller Derby League abides by one of the most progressive gender policies in world sport. For people like Commando, it has meant they have been able to "return home".

Conor Tracey works at a veterinary pharmaceutical warehouse and Angus Kilkolly is the regional manager of a power tool company. Both are preparing to play in the richest club football tournament of all time. 

Tony Popovic chooses substance over sparkle, Socceroos lack imagination in attack, and Aziz Behich provides an improbable wonder goal. These are five quick hits from Australia's dramatic 1-0 defeat of Japan. 

Despite a historic A-League season for young Australian forwards, Tony Popovic has trusted in the tried and true for this week's crunch matches against Japan and Saudi Arabia as World Cup qualification beckons.

Incoming Matildas coach Joe Montemurro watched on as returning young gun Amy Sayer scored a brace in a commanding Canberra performance.

A run-in with local police, a call-up to the Sri Lankan national team, and one of the most prolific goalscoring seasons you've probably never heard of. These are the Australians who lit up Icelandic football.

Instead of watching a game with your eyes, you're feeling it through your hands. Sports broadcasting is undergoing a quiet revolution — and its repercussions could be monumental for vision impaired and sighted fans alike.

Mary Fowler has played a starring role in attack as the Matildas completed a 2-0 win over South Korea in their second international friendly.