Play a sport in Australia

Sport. Australians are passionate about it. In fact, for some it is as ritualistic as a religion. From cricket to footie, horse racing to surf life saving and everything in between, Australians take their sport very seriously indeed.

Armchair sports fans are responsible for television ratings that claim 9 out of the top 10 shows on Australian television are sports-related.

Soccer

One of the first games to win a national following in Australia was soccer (which, while also known as football, must never be confused with 'footie', see below), and which now enjoys a huge amount of loyalty among its followers.

Generally soccer season is in the winter and national fans as well as local participants massively anticipate its start. Most local areas have teams and clubs, which are accessible through local council offices, information centres and sports centres. On a national level there is the Football Federation of Australia, which helps to promote and encourage the game throughout the country.

Aussie rules

'Footie', or Aussie rules rugby, is one of Australia's main obsessions and is played on every level imaginable. It has more spectators than any other sport in Australia (in 2006 over 6 million people attended premier league games). Having been created in Australia for Australians in 1856, it is now the country's national sport. The Australian Football League has details of clubs and competitions, as do local sports associations and clubs.

Cricket

Cricket is Australia's most popular summer sport, and Australia dominates the international cricket scene. In 2007 a Sweeney Sports survey found that 59% of the Australian population took an interest in cricket. It is often said that in Australia the office of test captain is second in stature behind the office of Prime Minister. Administratively, Cricket Australia deals with all local and national information and contacts.

Tennis

Tennis is another very popular sport in a country whose climate supports playing for most of the year and who hosts the Australian Open annually in January. The national organisation, Tennis Australia, has a very interactive and informative website, which can help you to find a nearby you and even team you up with a partner to play with in your local area.

Water sports

With 80% of the population of Australia living within 50km of the sea, water sports are a major feature in the life of most Australians. Iconic amongst this plethora of ocean-related sports associations are surf life saving clubs. The first surf life saving club was established in Bondi in 1908 although it was a fairly redundant organisation, given that swimming in daylight hours was deemed immoral in those days.

Nowadays surf life saving clubs are responsible for saving over 440,000 lives and for training millions of Australians in sea safe skills. The clubs cater for everyone from pre-schoolers to iron men and women. Visit Surf Life Saving Australia to find a club near you.

And the rest

Essentially, Australia is sport-mad and it is possible that any sport that you are interested in is going to be represented somewhere not far from where you live. Local libraries, gyms and councils are likely to have details of all clubs and associations nearby and the government sites, www.ausport.gov.au and www.sport.gov.au are especially helpful.