Australia has a proud history of sporting achievement and a strong record of community participation in a wide variety of sports. Our participation and involvement in sport is an important part of our lifestyle and national identity. Hosting the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney highlights Australia as a leading destination for international events.
Australia has more than 120 national sporting organizations and thousands of state, regional and club bodies. A 2002 government survey found that an estimated 11.9 million Australians 15 years and over participated in at least one form of exercise, recreation or sport. This statistic represents about 40% of the Australian population. Australians also take part in bushwalking, fishing and boating and many other water sports.
Australian’s love to watch sport just as much as they like to participate! On any weekend you will find numerous Aussies sipping a beer, eating a meat pie and watching some form of sport either live or on the television. Australians just love their sport.
Here are some of the most popular sports you can play or watch in Australia.
Aussie Rules Football
The Australian Football League (AFL) is the one truly Australian sport. The earliest true AFL game was played in 1858. Its primary support base is in Victoria –if you live in Melbourne you won’t be able to avoid the game – but its popularity is growing nationally, even in the rugby league strongholds of New South Wales and Queensland.There are also strong teams in Adelaide and Perth.
Crowds are large – up to 80,000 for the biggest club games – so there is usually a chance to see one game during the year. With kicking the ball being the main tactic and the only way of scoring, games can go from one end of the huge field to another in just moments. The most spectacular feature is the “mark”, when players leap high into the air to catch the ball – allowing them a free kick. AFL has the most fanatical and devoted fans of any sport in Australia. Find out more at http://www.afl.com.au/
Rugby Union and Rugby League
Originally English sports, rugby union and rugby league are two of the biggest sports in the country. The Rugby World Cup was held in Australia in 2003, drawing teams and supporters from all over the world and an international television audience of up to one billion for the opening ceremony. These two games are the closest you’ll find to American football.
Rugby league is most popular in New South Wales and Queensland. You’ll easily catch a rugby league match in Sydney, Brisbane or Canberra, as well as some regional areas, in a season that runs from March to September. Find out more at http://www.nrl.com.au/
The Super 12 Union series features 12 teams from Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa and runs from February to May. You can catch Australia’s teams, the Reds, Waratahs and Brumbies, playing in Brisbane, Sydney and Canberra respectively. Find out more at http://www.super12rugby.com/
Cricket
Once the sport of English gentlemen, cricket is now a multinational powerhouse in which Australia consistently leads the field. Winners of the 1999 and 2003 World Cups, Australia has especially taken to the more exciting one day form of the game.
Crowds of 40,000 – 80,000 regularly watch the Australians play this favourite summer sport, and only completely national game. Games are either a one day match or a Test Match which lasts five days. The season usually runs from November to February, with January being the most exciting, and hottest, time to watch.
In cricket, two players at a time alternate batting in the center of the field, while the opposing team bowls and fields. There can be spectacular catches, incredibly fast bowling and great hits from the batsmen. Cricket is also popular on television, as are all these major sports. Find out more at the Australian cricket website http://content-www.cricinfo.com/australia/content/site
And of course, these and many other games are also played at the local and university level. You can stay fit, make some friends and learn a few new skills by taking up an Aussie sport.
Difference between college sports in USA/Australia