As Australian society became more commercialised and globalised, so did our sport. From an amateur, locally-based pastime, sport in Australia gradually evolved into a professional, highly lucrative industry with international scope.
The development of sport in Australia also reflects the gradual movement of our culture away from its British roots, towards a more Americanised, yet distinctly Australian cultural hybrid. While sports like cricket and the various codes of rugby point to our British heritage, modern sports like basketball demonstrate the penetration of American influence into our culture. At the same time, local sports like Australian Rules football continue to thrive.
Government and Sport
Increasing public concern prompted the Commonwealth Government into action and construction began on Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) in Canberra. Completed in 1981, the AIS aimed to help talented athletes reach their potential, by providing specialised training, expert coaches, sports science and sports medicine services, as well as state-of-the-art facilities across many different sports.
Through the Australian Sports Commission, the government also established funding and scholarship schemes that allowed athletes to devote more time and energy to training. Programmes were also set up to encourage better sports participation in the wider community.
In the coming decades, these measures would prove extremely successful in restoring the international success rate of Australian athletes.
Impact of the USA and UK on Sport
Since the early days of the Australian colony, sport has been a fundamental aspect of Australian cultural life. Sport is one area of Australian society that, for decades, resisted American influence and retained a strong British influence. Popular contemporary sports like cricket, horse racing, and rugby union were all originally transferred to Australia from Britain. Australia and... [continues]
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