Australian Sporting Traditions
Australia is a nation that loves its sports. Australia is an active nation where people will participate in several sports.
In the school grounds, women participate in sports such as netball and volleyball, whereas the men are known to participate in one of the popular forms of football or cricket. Either way, the notion of sports in our Australian behavior and its vast presence in the media has led to a series of Australian sporting traditions that we participate in each year. Below is a list of the top sporting traditions to participate in while visiting Australia.
The Boxing Day Test at the MCG
Held on December 26th each year at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the day coincides with the festive season and Australia’s long tradition of the ‘Summer of cricket’. It is an even greater highlight when it is the Ashes, a strong cricketing rivalry between Australia and England. It’s a day out for fun in the sun.
State of Origin rugby league matches
The most popular rugby league series in Australia where the two states, Queensland and New South Wales battle it out for rugby league supremacy. In a best of three series, we see each state go toe-to-toe in the reach for rugby league glory.
AFL grand final
If you are in Melbourne, the AFL grand final will be the ‘mecca event’ for native Victorians. The AFL teams from around Australia battle it out over the season to reach the grand final where one of the teams will be named champions after the most victorious game of the year. The entire city is on a buzz. The atmosphere will feel electric!
NRL grand final
On par with the State of Origin series, the NRL grand final is the mecca event for the rugby league states. The teams that have qualified for the final from the series of games get their chance to solidify their rugby league greatness in history with a final win!
Melbourne Cup - Racing
The race that stops a nation! The Melbourne Cup is the gala event during the spring racing week in Melbourne. Held once a year, jockeys from around the world descend onto Melbourne’s racing scene in the hope of winning the cup and the prize purse that comes with it. Prepare to see people dress to impress and the entire nation stopping to take a punt on a winning horse.
Australian Open - Tennis
In this once a year ‘Tennis Gala’ event, we see the world’s top tennis players descend onto Melbourne in the hope of winning the Australian open tennis championships. Played in the Australian summer, prepare to feel the heat and watch some top plays from the world’s top tennis players on the Melbourne hard courts.
Sydney to Hobart Yacht race
A historic Australian tradition, the Sydney to Hobart Yacht race has contestants from all around the world in the largest yacht media event of the year. Kicks off on Boxing Day.
Formula one Australian grand prix – Racing
In the once a year event, we see the formula one drivers descend onto the Melbourne scene for the Australian stage of the formula one racing series. The live audience will see the streets of Melbourne revamped and the racing drivers top speeds nearing 300km per hour. Get the adrenalin pumping and book your ticket.
Bledisloe cup – Rugby union
Part of the rugby union ‘Tri Nations’ series, the Bledisloe cup bestows the traditional rugby union rivalry between Australia and New Zealand. In a match where there are contrasting styles and plays in the ‘gentleman’s game’, we see the nation stop to see which country will be victorious and win the cup to hold for the year. The remainder of the Tri Nations series will see games against South Africa.
Australian swimming championships
Traditionally the birthplace of Australia’s Olympic swimmers, we have seen some of the greats such as Grant Hackett, Kieran Perkins and Susie O’Neill burst onto the scene with their national wins, as well as to see new emerging talent in their quest for national gold. On the night, we may even see Australia’s finest emerging swimming talent breaks some world records.
There is a wide range of traditional sporting activities to watch or participate in Australia over the year. The ones provided above are some of the more popular ones, but there are many others across other sporting disciplines that are equally as exciting. Be sure to attend, support and to enjoy!