To get into the spirit of celebrating all things wom*n in sport, here are three movies about the badass heroes we need (but probably don’t deserve). 

Over the last thirty years there has been some sporting gold at the cinema. In case you’ve missed these three from the nineties, the noughties and now just know they’re all available on Stan for streaming!

From the 90’s: A League of Their Own 

This is one you might have missed and here at Blitz we’re gonna have to forgive you for that. However, do yourself a favour and catch this film before the last innings is called. You don’t have to be a massive fan of baseball to enjoy this film, because the ensemble cast alone is enough to have you dumping a celebratory bucket of Gatorade over the head of your closest authority figure. Geena Davis, Rosie O’Donnell, Tom Hanks and Madonna (yes that Madonna) flavour this movie with pure joy. Set in 1950’s America, when the United States’ most legendary baseball players have all been shipped off to war, an all-women’s league springs up in their absence. Geena Davis plays the ever so iconic and totally badass Dottie Hinson. This film is known for Dottie’s iconic dive into a split to catch an opposing player out. It’s a scene you’ve probably watched a hundred times without realising the film that it’s actually from. 

A League of Their Own is an absolute classic and one of the true feel-good treasures of the 90’s. Make sure you catch this one before it lands in the outfield. 

From the 00’s: Whip It 

Lace up your skates and ready your helmets jammers, because this one’s a totally underrated goodie. This Ellen Page lead, Drew Barrymore directed vehicle flew under the radar way back when. Whip It is all about roller derby, so you can be sure to expect brutal hits, badass nicknames and an incredible ensemble cast featuring the likes of Kristen Wiig, Alia Shawkat and Juliette Lewis! Ellen Page’s Bliss Cavender is torn between her newfound passion in the underground roughhouse sport of roller derby and continuing along with her mother’s (played by Allison Janney) plan. Bliss’ mother hopes her daughter will become a shining star in the Austin pageant circuit. The sisterhood is palpable from start to finish. This is one of those movies where you can sense how much fun they would have had behind the camera. Not only that, but it’s a super interesting look into a little known sport. Right after the credits roll you’ll be searching up your closest roller derby bout and heading out the door. 

Now: I, Tonya 

I, Tonya is a dark comedy that will have you questioning reality and laughing your ass off along the way. The second appearance for Allison Janney on this list, the legend won an Oscar for best supporting actress last year for this one. Riddled with awesome performances and an almost too insane to be true storyline, this movie is a thrill ride and a history lesson all in one. Aussie champ Margot Robbie portrays Tonya Harding in this career defining performance which recounts the life which lead up to one of sporting history’s most controversial stories: the assault of fellow competitive figure skater Nancy Kerrigan. The CGI used to portray the sport in this film is incredible! You’ll hardly believe it’s not Harding landing the triple axel only to smoke her way to infamy shortly thereafter. 

Now chop to it ladies and gents! If you can’t be bothered to pull yourself out of bed and get involved in the sport, just be like yours truly and observe the sport through some badass female-led films. First prize goes to whomever watches all three back-to-back-to-back (just remember to stay hydrated and stretch).