As Australia became more commercialised and globalised, its sports also underwent a transformation. Once a locally-based amateur activity, sport in Australia gradually evolved into a highly lucrative professional industry with international reach. This development also mirrored the shift in our culture away from its British origins towards a distinct Australian cultural hybrid, influenced by both America and Britain. While traditional sports like cricket and various forms of rugby highlight our British heritage, the popularity of modern sports like basketball signifies the influence of America on our culture.
While Australian Rules football continues to thrive in local communities, the Commonwealth Government responded to public concerns and took action by initiating the construction of the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) in Canberra. The AIS, which was completed in 1981, aims to assist talented athletes in reaching their full potential through specialized training, expert coaches, sports science and medicine services, and state-of-the-art facilities spanning various sports.
In addition to establishing funding and scholarship schemes through the Australian Sports Commission, the government also implemented programs to promote greater sports participation in the wider community. These measures proved highly successful in restoring the international success of Australian athletes in the following decades. Sport has been a fundamental aspect of Australian cultural life since the early days of the Australian colony.
For a long time, Australian society has maintained a strong British influence in the sport, resisting American influence. Sports such as cricket, horse racing, and rugby union, which are popular today, were initially brought to Australia from Britain. Additionally, Australia and Britain have numerous shared sporting traditions like rugby internationals and The Ashes cricket matches. Australians continue to take great pleasure in defeating England in their own sports. However, from the 1970s onwards, American culture started altering the nature of Australian sport.
Advancements in communications technology facilitated enhanced and timely broadcasting of American sport in Australian households, contributing to its increased popularity. In the 1970s, the American impact on Australian sports presentation became evident as matches incorporated elements of glitz and glamour, resembling American-style events. Football games started including cheerleaders and mascots to energize players and the audience. Furthermore, the World Series Cricket tournament, established in the late 1970s, drew inspiration from American baseball.
The inclusion of brightly-dressed players, evening matches, and shorter game durations were all intended to attract a contemporary television viewership. In terms of population size, Australia consistently achieves impressive results in global competitions. The achievement of success in sports, especially on an international scale, helps establish a unique sense of national identity. Triumphant athletes often rise to the status of national heroes, with figures such as renowned cricket player Donald Bradman being idolized as Australian icons.
The pleasant weather in Australia fosters the country’s love for sports, as it promotes outdoor engagement. Additionally, sports provide an avenue to express cherished national principles like ‘mateship’, ‘having a go’, and ‘egalitarianism’ (the belief in equal treatment for all individuals). Australians highly prioritize ‘fair play’ in sporting activities, resulting in condemnation of cheaters who are deemed “un-Australian”.
