I have had a wonderful time this semester attending different Australian sporting and cultural events. I was not originally enrolled in this course but I am so glad that I decided to add it to my schedule. I was amazed by the vast amount of knowledge I obtained through the various field trips we took. Beginning on my first day in Sydney, I have been bombarded by Australian sports on television. The World Cup of cricket was my first exposure to the Australian sporting world.
I had never seen the game of cricket played and was completely oblivious to any of the rules. Taking this course persuaded me to become interested in a game that I would otherwise have ignored. As the tournament progressed, I was becoming more and more adept to the rules of the game. By the end, I understood how points were scored, how outs were recorded and why the matches last so long. I was swept up in the excitement when India finally won the world cup.
Another sport that I learned more about through this course was rugby. Even back in the states, I had always been interested in the game of rugby. Back at my home institution, Indiana University, I have attended a few of our club team’s rugby matches. Although I never understood the rules, I always had a good time watching the games. By taking this course, I finally learned how the game is played. I also learned about the different variations of rugby including Rugby League and Union. I regularly attend New South Wales Waratahs matches with my roommates and enjoy it so much that I have played rugby in the park with some of my friends.
Attending the field trip to watch the Nippers gave me unique insight into what the world of youth sports is like in Australia. Watching the parents and coaches direct the kids and cheer them along reminded me exactly of my experiences growing up playing youth ice hockey back in St. Louis. Much like the nippers, all of my teammates were kids who I grew up with. Many of the kids were either neighbors or classmates of mine. Playing on a sports team with them was a way for me to see what my contemporaries were like outside of the classroom. Like the Maroubra Beach Surf Lifesaving Club, my local ice rink was run entirely by volunteers. Every one of the coaches volunteers his time and energy to teach us to play hockey. Many times, a parent of one of the children on the team would assume the role of coach. This was reminiscent of the nippers’ practice which looked like it was being organized and directed by a group of parents.
Like club hockey, the nippers seemed very competitive in their races. Even at a young age, all of the kids were trying their best and eager to beat their friends down the beach. I found the competitiveness of kids at that age quite surprising. When I first began playing hockey at age seven, I was more concerned with having a good time with my friends and less with the competitive nature of the sport. I think that being too competitive at a young age can be detrimental to youth athletes. I know that I personally lost interest in the game as I grew older because it was no longer fun to play. If the coaches focus too much on winning and not enough on learning and improving a child’s skills, it can take away from the game. Especially today, when obesity is a major problem, having children who are discouraged from playing a sport because of its competitive nature can be detrimental to their health. Youth sports should be more about staying active and having fun and less about winning.
The lawn bowling field trip was one of the most fun and educational activities I have participated in since I arrived in Australia. I found the game challenging, but after a few bowls I began to get the hang of it. Having played bocce ball with my family previously, the rules and game was familiar to me. However, the weighted ball did throw me off and added an extra challenge to the game. The facility reminded me a lot of the bocce ball club which my grandmother took me to in St. Louis. The entire place was filled with bocce ball courts. The major difference between bocce ball and lawn bowling is the surface it is played on. Bocce ball is played indoors and on a turf like court while lawn bowling is played outdoors on grass. The members at the lawn bowling club also reminded me a lot of the members at the bocce ball club. Most of the participants were older and the club served as much a social as an athletic function.
All of these experiences plus the countless others that I did not have the space to talk about have shaped my opinions on Australian culture. Sport plays such an integral role in Australian society. Star athletes are looked up to as much or more than Australian politicians. Most of the heroes, praised by Australians in their short history as a nation are athletes. I have thoroughly enjoyed gaining exposure into some sports that I would never have had the opportunity to play or watch in the states. I have really gained a greater appreciation for footy and rugby and their place in Australian culture. My experiences here will allow me to expose others to the sports which I have enjoyed so much. I can only hope they can get the same enjoyment from them that I share for these activities.
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