Sports in Australia

““Sport is something of a national obsession in Sport is something of a national obsession in Australia. We're avid followers of ‘footy', which Australia. We're avid followers of ‘footy', which covers everything from rugby union to the covers everything from rugby union to the uniquely Australian AFL. We play backyard and uniquely Australian AFL. We play backyard and beach cricket all summer and turn out in our beach cricket all summer and turn out in our thousands to watch the iconic Boxing Day test at thousands to watch the iconic Boxing Day test at Melbourne's MCG. Summer is also the season we Melbourne's MCG. Summer is also the season we become amateur commentators at our Grand become amateur commentators at our Grand Slam tennis tournament. Rev-heads everywhere Slam tennis tournament. Rev-heads everywhere know about our car racing events such as the know about our car racing events such as the Formula 1 Australia Grand Prix.” Formula 1 Australia Grand Prix.”

So what sports do they play in Australia?

In Australia they play a lot of the same sports as in Spain; In Australia they play a lot of the same sports as in Spain;

Football Football Tennis Tennis GolfGolf

Formula OneFormula One BasketballBasketball

SkiingSkiing Swimming Swimming

So what’s the difference?

There are some other sports that are played There are some other sports that are played professionally and for fun. professionally and for fun.

Cricket

Cricket is a sport played with two teams, 2 bats, a ball Cricket is a sport played with two teams, 2 bats, a ball and 2 wickets. It is the most popular sport in Australia and 2 wickets. It is the most popular sport in Australia with a Boxing Day Test Match, and international with a Boxing Day Test Match, and international games like the Ashes. ‘Backyard cricket’ is also played games like the Ashes. ‘Backyard cricket’ is also played for fun, by people of all ages usually with simpler rules. for fun, by people of all ages usually with simpler rules.

Football‘‘Footy’ is the second most Footy’ is the second most popular sport in popular sport in Australia. However there Australia. However there are four different codes. are four different codes.

1.1. Soccer (European Soccer (European Football) – a square field Football) – a square field and round ball. The and round ball. The Australian team are Australian team are called the Soccerooscalled the Socceroos

2. Aussie Rules (AFL)2. Aussie Rules (AFL)

Two teams of 18 players play on an oval field. To score Two teams of 18 players play on an oval field. To score point, the players must kick the ball between two tall point, the players must kick the ball between two tall posts. Players can kick the ball, handball it to another posts. Players can kick the ball, handball it to another player or bounce it while running. The other team can player or bounce it while running. The other team can steal the ball and tackle. steal the ball and tackle.

3. Rugby league (NRL)3. Rugby league (NRL)

Two teams of 13 players aim to score goals by running Two teams of 13 players aim to score goals by running with the ball in their hands. There is a rectangular field with the ball in their hands. There is a rectangular field and oval ball. Each team is given 6 tackles or tries to and oval ball. Each team is given 6 tackles or tries to score before the other team takes the ball. Some big score before the other team takes the ball. Some big competitions are the State of Origin between NSW and competitions are the State of Origin between NSW and QLD, and the Telstra Premiership between New Zealand QLD, and the Telstra Premiership between New Zealand and Australia. and Australia.

4. Rugby Union4. Rugby Union

Two teams of 15 players aim to score goals by running Two teams of 15 players aim to score goals by running with the ball in their hands. There is a rectangular field with the ball in their hands. There is a rectangular field and oval ball. It is similar to Rugby League except after a and oval ball. It is similar to Rugby League except after a tackle anyone can take the ball. The biggest competition tackle anyone can take the ball. The biggest competition is the Tri Nations between New Zealand, Australia and is the Tri Nations between New Zealand, Australia and South Africa. South Africa.

Netball

There are two teams of 7 players. Each player has a There are two teams of 7 players. Each player has a position and a player from the opposite team has an position and a player from the opposite team has an opposite position. To play, the players need to throw the opposite position. To play, the players need to throw the ball through the hoop. Player cannot run with the ball. ball through the hoop. Player cannot run with the ball. They have to pass the ball. They have to pass the ball.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AIEKdywyF7k https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AIEKdywyF7k

Surfing

Australia is an island and Australia is an island and surrounded by beaches so a surrounded by beaches so a lot of people surf. There are lot of people surf. There are also many competitions like also many competitions like The Quicksilver and Roxy The Quicksilver and Roxy Pro. Surfers score points by Pro. Surfers score points by doing tricks. doing tricks.

Horse Racing

There are also several famous horse races in Australia. There are also several famous horse races in Australia. The most famous, ‘The Melbourne Cup’ is held every The most famous, ‘The Melbourne Cup’ is held every year on the first Tuesday in November. It is known as the year on the first Tuesday in November. It is known as the race that stops the nation. race that stops the nation.