Sport In Australia Essay

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Sport has consistently grown and influenced society for hundreds of years. As is the case in many countries around the world, in Australia sport has proved to be a useful tool to promote social integration and build national identities. As a developed country with a structured political and economic system, sport organizations began to develop with the support of the Australian government in funding and infrastructure. Prior to British colonization, Aboriginals were the first to inhabit Australia instituting athletic events based on survival tasks. The environment in which they lived required a high level of physical ability in order to survive. The growth of sport in Australia is notably due to several significant sports moments that have influenced the country’s craving for more sports and high demand for success. The structure of Australian sports organizations help to develop high level of national pride. Track and Field has been one of the most tenured sports in Australia and has assisted in shaping the country’s sports culture. Australia has a long history of sport with a great deal support and success both in international competition and in the growth of domestic sport organizations.
Sport in Australia dates to back to before British settlers colonized the continent. Aboriginals used various recreational activities and games based on survival tasks that were the first known forms of sport in Australia. These survival tasks included climbing in the search for food, throwing accuracy and running for hunting, as well as fighting in training for possible war. The Aboriginals remained devoted to taking advantage of what nature gives them. However, in the late 1700s when Europeans arrived in Australia, the customs and necessary...

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...orld War II in which thousands of immigrants from all over the world significantly increasing cultural diversity. Post World War II was the most successful period for Australian athletes as they won 37 Olympic medals between 1950 and 1970 (Parker). With the continued athletic success over the years, the image of Australia evolved as a result of a government-sponsored campaign called “Life. Be In It” in 1972. This was the start of substantial government involvement in the promotion of sport in Australia. The government’s campaign stimulated a nation-wide movement to promote an active and healthy lifestyle. Eventually the campaigns success led to the development of the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) in 1981. The purpose of the Australian Institute of Sport was to “modernize and develop human performance in local sport” and focused specifically on Olympic sports.

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