You know, whenever you start a new job in Australia, regardless of where it is, usually one of the questions you will be asked by your new workmates while you are unjamming the photocopier/brewing a coffee/finding the bathroom is “So.....what team do you barrack for?” or “What sport do you play?”

If you are in Victoria, the question probably refers to the Australian Football League, or AFL. If you are further up north, your colleague might be referring to NRL, or the rugby, or soccer. It does not matter if you are a man or a woman; your background or class; passion for sport in Australia is expected. Many other countries have sporting passion of course, but it is often restricted to one or two sports – like Canada with ice hockey, or Brazil with soccer. Not so in Australia. Here, Australians have a passion for all sports – the AFL football, cricket, soccer, rugby, tennis, surfing, horse racing, swimming, motorsport......if we can play it or watch it, we will follow it! And talk about it. Sometimes ad nauseam.

Looking back on Australia’s history, there are a few reasons why Australians have had a long lasting love affair with sports. Partly it is our convict history. When the Europeans first arrived in Australia, the lack of recreational opportunities created a hunger for sport. Coupled with a desire to create a new identity, Australians excelled at sport early on, many of which were ‘imported’ from the ‘home country’. Even before Federation in 1901, ‘Australia’ was competing internationally as a nation. Despite its relatively small population, Australia has produced world champions in many sports.

Australia’s climate also contributed here. The first white settlers found the Australian climate ideal – the sunny climate, warm seasons and tonnes of room and space for playing fields made sport an ideal way of taking a break from work and relaxing. Sport in many ways has also helped unify Australia, thereby bridging inequalities between race and gender, as well as being used as a tool to develop self-esteem both individually and for the country as a whole.

Today, sport and related physical activity remains an excellent method to experience the Australian culture, and for new sports from other countries to emerge, such as soccer and bocce for example. If you have time while studying with us here, I urge you to find the time to participate in sports in general. The local cricket, soccer, footy, indoor basketball, netball, volleyball, athletic and swimming clubs are great ways of becoming involved and meeting others with passion the same as yours. Or if you prefer, take a trip with friends to the MCG to see an AFL match. The roar of the crowd as players take the field is amazing. It’s a great opportunity to meet others, and participate in a major aspect of the Australian psyche and culture.
CQUniversity annually provides its international and domestic students with a sporting weekend – The Chancellors Cup. This year (6th – 8th August) it was held in Melbourne. This experience was made possible as part of the GLoBALL program established by Essendon Football Club, the AFL and Cricket Victoria. Participants visited the hallowed ground of the MCG to watch an Essendon/Carlton football game, then congregated at the Action Indoor Sports Centre in Maribyrnong for two days of soccer, tables tennis and cricket tournaments.

A balanced life of rest, work and play is promoted in health related circles and despite the increasing demands and pressures of work and/or study, I commend you this maxim. Ensure you maintain a healthy diet, enough rest (6-8 hours daily) and a balance between work/study with recreation/exercise. As a former Professor of Sports and Exercise Science, I can guarantee the balance will contribute to a productive, happier and longer life.

Good luck,
Ken.