This semester we participated in a number of field trips that allowed us to experience first-hand various types of sport in Australian culture. As is discussed in the Journal of Physical Education, Recreation & Dance article “Pilgrim’s Progress: the Sport Education Crusade Down Under,” participation in sport is closely tied to learning. Through the many different modes of sport we observed—from recreational youth rugby and netball to NSW State Age Swimming Championships—we discovered how participation could certainly help the young athletes to “experience greater success, not only in skill development, but also in the area of social development, responsibility, and decision making.” (Alexander).
There were many similarities between sports in the US and those we experienced in Australia in terms of atmosphere, whether it be at youth athletic competitions or at sporting events at the professional level. When we watched the under-10's playing rugby, I found the atmosphere and playing area to be very similar to that which I experienced during my childhood back home. The parents were very much a part of what made that experience seem so similar, the way they would cheer on their kids from the sidelines, the fathers enthusiastically yelling "drive boys!!" At half time one coach was heard asking "we got oranges somewhere, mum?" which was very reminiscent of the way it is customary for orange slices to be brought by parents in ziplock bags and doled out mid-game on sports fields all over the US. One thing I found to be in stark contrast to youth sports in the US however was how rough the game of rugby is, particularly considering the children's age and size. There is rampant shirt-grabbing and flinging around, tackling, pushing each other down. For this reason, youth sports in Australia seem to be way more physical, which would be a shock and frowned upon by many parents watching from sidelines in America (which I have experience with as I used to be a referee for youth girls lacrosse and parents would be outraged at the first and most elementary sign of roughness).
At the netball game, we noticed that all players were female, which led me to wonder whether netball is an exclusively female sport. Upon further research I learned that it does seem to be a primarily female sport (much like field hockey is for women in the US, though it is played by just as many -if not more- men in other countries) as I read that "Netball emerged from early versions of women's basketball, evolving with the increasing participation of women in sport." The game that we watched the closest was actually a game that was being played between a young female team in uniform against their parents! I speculated that it must have been just an unused court before or after a real match, or perhaps their scheduled opponent did not turn up to the game. It was nice to see how Australian mothers as well as fathers could jump in and play with their kids, truly putting 100% into the game and having a laugh while doing so. I believe this occurrence we observed to be closely connected to the way Australian adults continue to participate in sports, whether it be a group of friends who casually get together for a soccer match or a formally organized rugby game at the local oval (like that which we observed at the Erskineville Oval rugby field trip). Athletes in the US almost always discontinue participation in sport after their schooling days are over, unless they pursue into the sport professionally, which is one huge difference between Australia and the US.
Another big difference I noticed was how, at the Australian rules football game we attended, young girls were out on the field playing right alongside the boys. In the US, the two genders are almost always on separate teams in separate leagues in what can sometimes even be completely separate versions of the same sport, altered due to gender (for example men's vs. women's lacrosse).
In terms of professional sports, I really enjoyed attending both the Sydney Swans AFL game and the Sydney Roosters Rugby League game, as much as I typically enjoy Baltimore Blast soccer games or Washington Redskins NFL games back home. Again, extreme similarities in atmosphere could be sensed like the way certain fans are more passionate or unruly than others.
Almost all the swans fans could be seen wearing at least one article of Swans gear, whether it be a red and white knit hat or a red and white scarf of similar material (giving a sort of "Where's Wally" look to the whole stadium) which is true of sporting events at home. My brother never lets me attend Redskins games with him without wearing at least one article of Redskins attire (which usually means having to borrow one of his hats or jerseys in addition to wearing all maroon). When talking to some of my peers we all mentioned how crazy and interesting it is that Australia's version of football seems to combine elements from a wide, wide range of sports, rather than just seeming like a tweaked version of American football or rugby. Players have to dribble the ball after a certain number of steps (reminiscent of basketball), have to serve it to another player by punching it with one hand out of their other hand (reminiscent of volleyball) and can punt to one another (like soccer goalies). Most remarkably of all, though, is a difference we noticed having to do with the fans rather than with the sport itself. Unlike in the states, where if a game is clearly a blow-out and there is no chance of a comeback for one of the teams, fans start filing out as early as the very beginning of the third quarter. This was not true AT ALL of Australian fans, almost every single one of which stayed until the final whistle had blown. I believe this speaks loudly about their dedication to their team and love of the sport as well as their pride in their home team. I was pleased we chose to stay until the very end as well, because it was a great moment for Sydney, with a fanfare of music playing and everyone up on their feet cheering.
Regarding the professional rugby league game, we were really fortunate to see the Roosters play in particular, as I learned that the Roosters are in fact one of the most successful clubs in Australian rugby league history, having won twelve New South Wales Rugby League and National Rugby League titles, and several other competitions. I discovered he interesting fact that the club was actually founded all the way back in 1908! There were not nearly as many spectators in attendance at this rugby league game as were at the Swans AFL game, although these rugby fans seemed to be far more emotionally invested in the game and aggressive with their cheering. The more aggressive dispositions of the spectators was fitting with the more aggressive nature of the sport of rugby itself, compared to AFL.
Among the aforementioned similarities and differences about which I learned this semester, my participation in the Blackmores Sydney Running festival was another great way to learn first-hand, as I was able to compare it to the Boston Marathon which I ran this past April. The two running events were very similar with many local spectators coming out to cheer along the runners, even if they do not know anyone in particular running. Loud, boisterous cheers of “on ya, mate!” from the men sitting at the cafe tables alongside the course were encouraging and spirited, which I believe is true of Australian attitudes towards and participation in sport as a whole. It was a pleasure to see so many different sporting events and truly be immersed in it while in the country.
