Limited stock arrived in the Chinese Museum giftshop and online

In "Celestial Footy, the story of Chinese Heritage Aussie Rules", author Patrick Skene chronicles the participation and passion of Chinese heritage immigrants and their descendants in Australia's beloved national game – Australian Rules Football. 

From Darwin to Adelaide to Perth, from Broome to Melbourne to the Victorian Goldfields, Celestial Footy celebrates the lives of pioneers such as Wally Koochew and Les Kew Ming, modern day champions such as Les Fong, Lin Jong and Darcy Vescio and Chinese-Australian football clubs such as Melbourne's Young Chinese League team, the Darwin Buffaloes and Ballarat's Golden Point Rice Eaters.

Skene reveals a powerful narrative with significant contemporary relevance: "The Chinese footy tradition is more than 140 years old and it is one of the most amazing hidden stories in Australian sporting history.”

Published by Hardie Grant Media, in partnership with the AFL, the National Foundation for Australia-China Relations and Cultural Pulse, Celestial Footy is a unique, timely and important addition to Australia's sporting history, as well as that of the broader Chinese-Australian narrative of assimilation, struggle, identity and community.

More than a football book, Celestial Footy tells the powerful story of the Chinese-Australian men and women who overcame obstacles and adversity to play the game they loved. 

Carlton AFLW star Darcy Vescio designed the book cover inspired by Chinese calligraphy and coaches whiteboard drawings.

Limited stock arriving in the Chinese Museum giftshop soon. Reserve your copy now.  

Celestial Footy Victorian book launch tour to Melbourne, Ballarat, Bendigo

‘Celestial Footy’, will be launched in Victoria with three events in Melbourne, Ballarat and Bendigo in late November & early December 2023.

2023 Event Details:

Melbourne: Wednesday November 29, 6-8pm, Princes Park, Carlton (ticket allocation exhausted)

Ballarat:  Friday December 1, 6-8pm, Victoria Bowling Club, Ballarat East

To register: https://events.humanitix.com/celestial-footy-book-launch-ballarat

Bendigo: Saturday December 2, 4-6pm, All Seasons Hotel, Strathdale, Bendigo

To Register: https://events.humanitix.com/celestial-footy-book-launch-bendigo

To attend an event or interview the author please contact [email protected]

Banner image: Chinese Footballers 1899.