The Foreign Students' Guide to Aussie Sport

Allow me to extend a hearty welcome to all new international students to Adelaide. I’m sure by now you would be in the process of adjusting yourselves to Australian style and custom. Back in 2002, as a new international student myself, it took me a little time to understand my surroundings…..the accent, the pastimes, and so on. Pastimes are numerous too…..drinking, barbecuing, drinking, chilling (rather, warming) at the beach, drinking, drinking, and oh yeah….sports!!!! (How could I forget…isn’t that the title of this write-up?)

And the sports are quite different too. Pretty much every Australian lad is brought up carrying an oblong-shaped ball in his hand. The two main sporting activities starring this rather weirdly shaped ball are Australian Rules and Rugby. Other frequently played sports are Cricket (the best there is) and Netball.

Australian Rules Football (for short: Aussie Rules, Football, or just plain Footy) is what was described to me as the Aussie version of American Football, minus the helmet and pads. This game has a few rules, and jargon, that may appear confusing at first, but you’ll eventually get the hang of it all. The game started in the late 19th century. The first rule that came about was that every player HAS TO wear tight Guernseys (a kind of jumper) and very tight shorts (pioneers of aerodynamics in athletics, one may think?). Anyway, here are some interesting facts: when you catch the ball (or whatever you want to call that big leather lozenge), it is called a mark. You can get points in two ways, a goal (6 points) if you kick the ball right between the two white poles, and a behind (1 point) if you kick it between any of the red poles and the nearest white pole. A tackle is when you have the ball and a great big truck (read: opponent) comes from behind you and smothers you, making you wonder why you didn’t accept your friend’s invitation to play Tetris on his little pocket PC. And a shepherd (????) is when you’re running for the ball and the same big truck (again, read: opponent) decides to once again send you to the nearest hospital (don’t worry about stretchers and ambulances; the shepherd’s enough of a flying start). Oh yeah, a punch up is necessary at least once a game, though the umpires prefer brawls.

Rugby is also quite a popular sport in this corner of the world. Usually, along with the ball, the players are oblong too. This is a sport that is actually played by many other countries in the world, so it isn’t actually unique to Australia. Sheer brute strength is what is required, but people of all sizes and shapes just love to throw themselves around in this game. One should, however, be careful about one’s loyalty towards any team other than the Wallabies, particularly the New Zealand All Blacks (famous for their Haka, a war dance performed before every game). Things could get personal. (But hey, we all know who’s best).

Netball (or Netty) is a sport popular with the ladies. Just like basketball in appearance, with far more rules. Players are not allowed to step with the ball and so they must come to a sudden stop when they are thrown the ball by their team mates (!!!!). Also, there should be no pushing and shoving (due apologies to rugby/footy fans). 

Ah yes, the sport that towers above all else (call me biased, but here forth lieth the truth): Cricket!!!! The first ever international cricket match was held between England and Australia in Australia, back in 1877.  So, cricket in Australia goes back a long way. Termed as a gentleman’s game, cricket is known to be the pioneer of such games as baseball. Earlier reserved only for the elite, this game is a perfect amalgamation of power, strength, excitement and sportsmanship.

Before I forget, I must mention that Australia has a national sport for the senior citizens as well: lawn bowls. I still haven’t figured out what goes on in this game….but it is only a matter of time….perhaps another 50 years from now….

I do hope you have a pleasant stay in Adelaide, and that you have your share of sport, Aussie style!!!! For more information on Aussie Sport check out <http://www.convictcreations.com/football/sport.htm>

Nikhil Goroor Vasuki, OSA Council 2003-2005, University of Adelaide