The inspirational story of the past, present and futureof Australian women's football - its players, fans, and the game they love. Australian women's football rides high on the sportinglandscape now, but this book shows that success has been one-hundred years inthe making. It shares stories of triumph in the face of overwhelming odds, andtales of heartbreak and obstacles that seem insurmountable. But it is alsoabout community, endurance and collective success. Eye-openingand celebratory, it tells the story of amateur women kicking a ball around acentury ago to Australia's national team being one of the best in the world.The Matildas are forty years old and no longer have to wear hand-me-down men'skits, pay for their own medical insurance and do it all for love not money. Butthere have been no free kicks along the way as they have faced prejudice andeven outright hostility. Never Say Die takes in dusty archives, rainypitch-side evenings and heart-breaking and heart-warming interviews -- includingwith FIFA and FFA board members, Matildas past and present, W-League coachesand players, state and club administrators.

But at its heart are fans fromevery level of the game who could not love it more. ' NeverSay Die is the bookthe women's game has been waiting for. Crawford and McGowan bring stories fromacross a century of football into one place to highlight a rich, remarkable,previously uncaptured history.' -- Craig Foster.