This book tells the story of an ambitious and adventurous young man who changed the sporting landscape in Australia by introducing the sport of lacrosse into Melbourne in 1876. Lambton Mount is heralded as the undisputed initiator and 'father' of lacrosse in Australia but his broader achievements as an athlete, explorer, pastoralist, inventor, industrialist and outstanding Australian colonial pioneer have remained largely unsung. Now his fascinating and compelling story is told. Mount's motivation to introduce lacrosse is examined along with the details of how he inspired fellow-pioneers to join him during the foundation years of the sport. The birth and early development of Australia's great lacrosse clubs are documented against the backdrop of the expansion of the sport across colonial borders, the coming of Australian Federation, the beginnings of women's lacrosse and the interruption by war. The commencement and development of Interstate and international lacrosse in Australia form a key component of the narrative which is documented and supported with over 190 illustrations and photographs, many never previously published. Central to this story are the accounts of the key athletes and administrators who built lacrosse in Australia.
