Australia and Aussie Rules…

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Australia and Aussie Rules

• Mr. P. Leighton
• AS Level Socio-Cultural Issues

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Todays Session

• Look at last weeks work as a starter- Australians
  and Sport as a preoccupation.
• Answer an exam style question on this subject
• Using Aussie Rules Football as a cotemporary
  example, retake the question.

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Starter

• Analyze and Discuss the reasons why Australians
  far surpass us in sport? (8)
• Hint When answering this question think about
  your use of language and key words that will link
  the ideas together
• Attempt your Colour sheet suited to your level.

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Swap Papers and MarkWhat are you looking for?

• Australians passionate bordering fanatical about
  sport?
• Bush Culture ethic?
• Favorable Climate?
• The Outdoor Life?
• Political Support?

• Tradition of Success?
• Sport is Fashionable?
• Egalitarian Society?
• Sport and PE?
• Which of these could utilize Aussie Rules as an
  example?

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Using Aussie Rules as a Contemporary Example

• To answer this question a contemporary example
  may be used or used as a With reference to
• However if you dont know what to reference you
  wont get the marks!

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Aussie Rules Football Its Origins

• Aussie Rules or simply Footy is a game which
  clearly reflects Australian society.
• What are some of the key elements you can see
  from these clips?
• What do you already know about the game?

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Aussie Rules Football
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Aussie Rules A misconception

• The action on the field does not reflect the
  solid rule structure and a strong ethos of fair
  play.
• The games are played on cricket ovals (lots of
  available space) with 9 officials.
• 22 Players per side- some of which run up to 15
  miles a game!

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Comparison

• 3.6miles
• 6.2miles
• 6.8miles
• 15MILES!

• Average distance covered in
• Rugby Union
• Football
• Rugby League
• Aussie Rules

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Aussie Rules Its Origins continued

• Its exact origins are uncertain- the game was
  originally the idea of English born Tom Willis
  and was seen as a way to keep cricketers fit.
• Most argue that Willis adapted an Aboriginal
  leaping game with what he had already seen in
  public schools.

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• Others say it is simply a mixture of Gaelic
  Football and Rugby.
• Gaelic Football was not codified until 30 years
  after the Willis Melbourne Rules were
  established.
• Aussie Footy was established before most noted
  forms of modern football.

• It is far more popular than RU, Rugby League and
  Soccer put together in most states- 42 increase
  in participation from 2001-2005.
• Purely homegrown talent- unlike other sports-
  more to strive for as a young player?

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• Game is growing in standing- 20 countries now
  play it!
• Although Aborigines make up only 3 of the
  population 16 of the players in the AFL are
  Aboriginal.
• 4th most played team sport in the country after
• Netball
• Rugby
• Cricket

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Factors shaping the development of the game.

• Game appeals to all- men and women of all body
  types- 610 ruckmen to 59 rovers.
• SuperRules allow 35 year old players play with
  minimal contact!

• Australians traveling abroad- popularity?
• Festival matches- AFL Vs GAA attracting interest
• Conversions- money and prestige
• Extensive pathways- played in schools
• Truly national game- spreading into originally RL
  and RU states (Queensland and NSW)

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Aussie Rules and Commercialism

• Aussie Rules is the most attended spectator sport
  in Australia.
• National competition as well as local and
  regional leagues.
• It lends itself to commercialism just like
  American Football- why?
• Players have become high status stars earning
  huge fees and sponsorship deals.

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Question from the start?

• Using Aussie Rules as an example, Analyse and
  discuss the reasons Australians far surpass us in
  sport (10).
• How did you do?

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Work for you to do

• Find out about the commercial aspects of Aussie
  rules- why is it such big business?
• How many elite clubs are there?
• How does it operate?
• Where are the clubs situated?
• Is there a geographical spread or pockets of
  popularity?
• How do earnings compare with top earners in the
  Premier League/RU/RL/American Football?

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Any Questions?See you next week ?