Australia and Australia and Aussie Rules…Aussie Rules…

Mr. P. LeightonMr. P. Leighton

AS Level Socio-Cultural IssuesAS Level Socio-Cultural Issues

Today’s Session…Today’s Session…

Look at last weeks work as a starter- Look at last weeks work as a starter- Australians and Sport as a Australians and Sport as a preoccupation.preoccupation.

Answer an exam style question on this Answer an exam style question on this subject…subject…

Using “Aussie Rules Football” as a Using “Aussie Rules Football” as a cotemporary example, retake the cotemporary example, retake the question. question.

Starter…Starter…

Analyze and Discuss the reasons why Analyze and Discuss the reasons why Australians far surpass us in sport? (8)Australians far surpass us in sport? (8)

Hint: When answering this question think about Hint: When answering this question think about your use of language and key words that will your use of language and key words that will link the ideas together…link the ideas together…

Attempt your “Colour” sheet suited to your Attempt your “Colour” sheet suited to your level.level.

Swap Papers and Mark…Swap Papers and Mark…What are you looking for?What are you looking for?

Australians passionate Australians passionate bordering fanatical bordering fanatical about sport?about sport?

““Bush Culture” ethic?Bush Culture” ethic? Favorable Climate?Favorable Climate? The Outdoor Life?The Outdoor Life? Political Support?Political Support?

Tradition of SuccessTradition of Success?? Sport is Fashionable?Sport is Fashionable? Egalitarian Society?Egalitarian Society? Sport and PE?Sport and PE?

Which of these could Which of these could utilize Aussie Rules as utilize Aussie Rules as an example?an example?

Using Aussie Rules as a Using Aussie Rules as a Contemporary Example…Contemporary Example…

To answer this question a To answer this question a contemporary example may be contemporary example may be used or used as a “With used or used as a “With reference to…”reference to…”

However… if you don’t know However… if you don’t know what to reference you wont get what to reference you wont get the marks!the marks!

Aussie Rules Football: Aussie Rules Football: Its OriginsIts Origins

Aussie Rules or simply “Footy” is a game Aussie Rules or simply “Footy” is a game which clearly reflects Australian society.which clearly reflects Australian society.

What are some of the key elements you can What are some of the key elements you can see from these clips?see from these clips?

What do you already know about the game?What do you already know about the game?

Aussie Rules Football…Aussie Rules Football…

Aussie Rules: A Aussie Rules: A misconception…misconception…

The action on the field does not reflect The action on the field does not reflect the solid rule structure and a strong ethos the solid rule structure and a strong ethos of fair play.of fair play.

The games are played on cricket ovals The games are played on cricket ovals (lots of available space) with 9 officials.(lots of available space) with 9 officials.

22 Players per side- some of which run 22 Players per side- some of which run up to 15 miles a game!up to 15 miles a game!

Comparison…Comparison…

Average distance covered Average distance covered in…in…

Rugby Union…Rugby Union…

Football…Football…

Rugby League…Rugby League…

Aussie Rules…Aussie Rules…

3.6miles3.6miles 6.2miles6.2miles 6.8miles6.8miles 15MILES!15MILES!

Aussie Rules: Its Origins Aussie Rules: Its Origins continued…continued…

Its exact origins are uncertain- the game Its exact origins are uncertain- the game was originally the idea of English born was originally the idea of English born Tom Willis and was seen as a way to Tom Willis and was seen as a way to keep cricketers fit.keep cricketers fit.

Most argue that Willis adapted an Most argue that Willis adapted an Aboriginal leaping game with what he Aboriginal leaping game with what he had already seen in public schools.had already seen in public schools.

Others say it is Others say it is simply a mixture of simply a mixture of Gaelic Football and Gaelic Football and Rugby. Rugby.

Gaelic Football was Gaelic Football was not codified until 30 not codified until 30 years after the Willis’ years after the Willis’ Melbourne Rules Melbourne Rules were established.were established.

Aussie “Footy” was Aussie “Footy” was established before established before most noted forms of most noted forms of modern football.modern football.

It is far more popular It is far more popular than RU, Rugby than RU, Rugby League and Soccer League and Soccer put together in most put together in most states- 42% increase states- 42% increase in participation from in participation from 2001-2005.2001-2005.

Purely homegrown Purely homegrown talent- unlike other talent- unlike other sports- more to strive sports- more to strive for as a young for as a young player?player?

Game is growing in standing- 20 Game is growing in standing- 20 countries now play it!countries now play it!

Although Aborigines make up only 3% of Although Aborigines make up only 3% of the population… 16% of the players in the population… 16% of the players in the AFL are Aboriginal.the AFL are Aboriginal.

44thth most played team sport in the country most played team sport in the country after…after… NetballNetball RugbyRugby CricketCricket

Factors shaping the Factors shaping the development of the development of the game.game. Australians traveling Australians traveling

abroad- popularity?abroad- popularity? Festival matches- AFL Festival matches- AFL

Vs GAA attracting Vs GAA attracting interest…interest…

Conversions- money and Conversions- money and prestige…prestige…

Extensive pathways- Extensive pathways- played in schools…played in schools…

Truly national game-Truly national game- spreading into originally spreading into originally RL and RU states RL and RU states (Queensland and NSW)(Queensland and NSW)

Game appeals to all- men Game appeals to all- men and women of all body and women of all body types- 6”10 ruckmen to 5”9 types- 6”10 ruckmen to 5”9 rovers.rovers.

““SuperRules” allow 35+ SuperRules” allow 35+ year old players play with year old players play with minimal contact!minimal contact!

Aussie Rules and Aussie Rules and Commercialism…Commercialism… Aussie Rules is the most attended Aussie Rules is the most attended

spectator sport in Australia.spectator sport in Australia. National competition as well as National competition as well as

local and regional leagues.local and regional leagues. It lends itself to commercialism just It lends itself to commercialism just

like American Football- why?like American Football- why? Players have become high status Players have become high status

stars earning huge fees and stars earning huge fees and sponsorship deals.sponsorship deals.

Question from the start?Question from the start?

Using Aussie Rules as an example, Using Aussie Rules as an example, Analyse and discuss the reasons Analyse and discuss the reasons Australians far surpass us in sport (10).Australians far surpass us in sport (10).

How did you do?How did you do?

Work for you to do…Work for you to do…

Find out about the commercial aspects of Find out about the commercial aspects of Aussie rules- why is it such big business?Aussie rules- why is it such big business?

How many elite clubs are there?How many elite clubs are there? How does it operate?How does it operate? Where are the clubs situated?Where are the clubs situated? Is there a geographical spread or pockets of Is there a geographical spread or pockets of

popularity?popularity? How do earnings compare with top earners in How do earnings compare with top earners in

the Premier League/RU/RL/American Football?the Premier League/RU/RL/American Football?

Any Questions?Any Questions?See you next week See you next week