The holidays are here! You probably don't know what day it is and have just finished your annual Harry Potter binge. Now it’s time to spice up your festive movie marathon with a bit of sport.
After your next Home Alone rewatch, dive into one of these powerful documentaries. Who knows? You might just find a new favourite tradition.
1. Katie Taylor: The Comeback
Ireland’s boxing legend Katie Taylor invites you into her world as she navigates her journey to greatness. After a 10-year winning streak and an Olympic Gold victory, Irish boxing champion Katie Taylor aims to rebuild her career amid personal losses.
Where to Watch: Netflix
2. Blue Sisters
Step into the Dublin Ladies Gaelic Football team’s dressing room as they battle their way to All-Ireland glory in 2017. On the back of losing three All-Ireland senior finals on the trot, Dublin had become the heartbreaking ‘nearly story’ of Ladies Gaelic football. Then, at the beginning of 2017, a new management team was put in place, under the leadership of colourful coach Mick Bohan. Could a fresh voice in the dressing room push them over the top and find a Hollywood ending for a story that had taken on tragic proportions?
Where to Watch: RTÉ Player
2. 30 Years of New York Ladies Gaelic Football
30 years ago, the New York Ladies Gaelic Football Championship Association was created, 100 years after their male counterparts. A group of enthusiastic Irish women and men in New York famously said, “they have it in Boston, they have it in Philly, why can’t we have it here?” On that day, the New York Ladies Gaelic Football Association was started. Now, the New York LGFA are the only Ladies County team outside of Ireland and the UK.
4. No Woman No Try
Elite female rugby players often face their biggest challenges off the pitch. In this honest and confronting documentary, we look at the state of play of women’s rugby and the things women must overcome to play at the highest level. Hear from professional rugby players, women’s sport’s advocates and male allies as they share their own perspective and experiences of women’s rugby.
Where to Watch: Amazon Prime Video
5. Simone Biles: Rising
Dive into the life of Simone Biles, the world’s greatest gymnast, as she shares her personal struggles and triumphs. This intimate series shows the strength it takes to succeed, both physically and emotionally.
Where to Watch: Netflix
6. Mary Kom
You've heard of Katie Taylor and now it's time to learn about Mary Kom. This biopic tells the inspiring story of India’s boxing champion Mary Kom, who rose from humble beginnings to achieve global success. A feel-good underdog story if we've ever seen one!
Where to Watch: Netflix
7. Copa 71
The extraordinary story of the 1971 Women’s World Cup, which was held in Mexico City and witnessed by more than 100,000 fans. This landmark tournament was dismissed by FIFA and written out of sports history – until now. COPA 71 weaves together dazzling archival footage and interviews with the former players.
Where to Watch: Amazon Prime Video
8. Matildas: The World at Our Feet
The Matildas, Australia’s women’s football team prepares for the World Cup in this thrilling behind-the-scenes doc. We have a few Her Sport friends and family who have become HUGE Matildas fans after this one! Not to be missed.
Where to Watch: Disney+
9. Athlete A
Athlete A lays out the story of how, after at least two decades of abusing the girls and young women under his care as the doctor for the women’s programme of USA Gymnastics, the national governing body for the sport, Larry Nassar was eventually caught.
Where to Watch: Netflix
10. It’s All Over: The Kiss That Changed Spanish Football
A story that had everyone talking. This documentary brings together the Spanish national team for the first time to revisit the turbulent years leading up to the 2023 World Cup, including a leaked letter from 15 players condemning the Federation’s treatment of the squad, the incredible success they had at the tournament, the fallout forced upon them by the very public inappropriate actions of one man and the Federation’s inadequate response to the scandal.
Where to Watch: Netflix
