Key Area 1 The Event
The event was held at ANZ Stadium which hosted the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, and holds up to 83,500 people (ANZstadium.com). I was extremely impressed by the facilities due to the cleanliness of the stadium and the reasonable concession stand prices. In the United States, stadiums are incredibly dirty. In fact, I felt as if I could eat off the ANZ stadium ground in comparison. The stadiums in the U.S. also take advantage of the fact that its spectators have no where else to eat or drink by raising the prices unreasonably. I noticed that the beer sold at ANZ was about the same price as you would find at a bar whereas in the U.S., a beer at a stadium is almost double what you would pay at a bar.
I was also surprised by the fact that young children were given the opportunity to play at ANZ Stadium. I was never given the opportunity to play in a large arena like that when I was playing sports as a child, but I know I would have loved the opportunity. This gives me a hint at the importance of children’s sport in Australia; Stadiums hosting young teams seems to signify that they want to encourage participation by giving the kids a great experience. The stadium and coaches may also be doing a little recruiting, in that they may want to give children a taste of what it would be like to play professionally. A dream of playing professionally could easily be born from an experience playing in a large arena as a child. This hints at the importance of professional sport in Australia.
There were few parents around my section in the stands, but from across the stadium I could see standing parents cheering. I did not notice any fights or arguments among the parents or coaches, which is embarrassingly common in the U.S. (especially during a final game). The attitudes of the parents seemed to be laid back and calm. This impression was supported by the actions of our other lecturer, Chris Curry, whose daughter was playing at halftime. When her daughter came out to play I noticed that she calmly watched from afar. This strengthened my impression about the laid back nature of the games. The coaches were also calm and collected, which I have never experienced first hand at any sporting event, young or old. I was especially surprised by this, seeing as it was the finals. In the United States there is great pressure to win from the coaches and parents.
The event was held at ANZ Stadium which hosted the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, and holds up to 83,500 people (ANZstadium.com). I was extremely impressed by the facilities due to the cleanliness of the stadium and the reasonable concession stand prices. In the United States, stadiums are incredibly dirty. In fact, I felt as if I could eat off the ANZ stadium ground in comparison. The stadiums in the U.S. also take advantage of the fact that its spectators have no where else to eat or drink by raising the prices unreasonably. I noticed that the beer sold at ANZ was about the same price as you would find at a bar whereas in the U.S., a beer at a stadium is almost double what you would pay at a bar.
I was also surprised by the fact that young children were given the opportunity to play at ANZ Stadium. I was never given the opportunity to play in a large arena like that when I was playing sports as a child, but I know I would have loved the opportunity. This gives me a hint at the importance of children’s sport in Australia; Stadiums hosting young teams seems to signify that they want to encourage participation by giving the kids a great experience. The stadium and coaches may also be doing a little recruiting, in that they may want to give children a taste of what it would be like to play professionally. A dream of playing professionally could easily be born from an experience playing in a large arena as a child. This hints at the importance of professional sport in Australia.
There were few parents around my section in the stands, but from across the stadium I could see standing parents cheering. I did not notice any fights or arguments among the parents or coaches, which is embarrassingly common in the U.S. (especially during a final game). The attitudes of the parents seemed to be laid back and calm. This impression was supported by the actions of our other lecturer, Chris Curry, whose daughter was playing at halftime. When her daughter came out to play I noticed that she calmly watched from afar. This strengthened my impression about the laid back nature of the games. The coaches were also calm and collected, which I have never experienced first hand at any sporting event, young or old. I was especially surprised by this, seeing as it was the finals. In the United States there is great pressure to win from the coaches and parents.
Key Area 2 The Competition
The reaction of the adults previously described combined with the ANZ stadium location of the games makes me believe that the participation in Australian sport during youth is important, but the winning and losing factor is not necessarily central. The atmosphere sent the message that sport is for fun and is not just about winning. Even when the games were over I could not tell who had won or lost because both teams ran happily off the field. When the announcers echoed the winners, they filmed the team jumping and cheering as they were handed their plaque. When the announcer announced the second place team, however, the team was cheering just as much as they accepted second place. My experience in the United States has been that there is always a clear distinction between the jumping, cheering winning team and the feet-dragging losing team whose heads hang with shame. These incidences are indicators that the kids just play to play. That being said, I did not notice any rivalry or foul play between teams, but only friendly competition.
The encouragement on participation in these early years is supported by Georgakis and Russell who found that in the developmental years of 6-12, emphasis should be placed on participation, social aspects, sport sampling, and fun (Georgakis, Russell, 2011). Sticking to these coaching techniques may help to avoid sport withdrawal from young children.
As mentioned above, the winning team was given a plaque, not a trophy. I found this to be an Australian difference from the United States. To young children in the states, the best prize is the tallest trophy: the bigger the better. If a child was handed a plaque in the U.S., I’m not sure they would be satisfied because it is lacking the height and shininess of a typical trophy.
The children playing were fairly skilled at the sport. I acknowledge that these were the finals, and therefore the best teams in the league, but my sports teams at that age always contained one player who picked at the grass or seemed to be distracted by the sky. I was, therefore, impressed by the children’s focus, enthusiasm, and skill.
The reaction of the adults previously described combined with the ANZ stadium location of the games makes me believe that the participation in Australian sport during youth is important, but the winning and losing factor is not necessarily central. The atmosphere sent the message that sport is for fun and is not just about winning. Even when the games were over I could not tell who had won or lost because both teams ran happily off the field. When the announcers echoed the winners, they filmed the team jumping and cheering as they were handed their plaque. When the announcer announced the second place team, however, the team was cheering just as much as they accepted second place. My experience in the United States has been that there is always a clear distinction between the jumping, cheering winning team and the feet-dragging losing team whose heads hang with shame. These incidences are indicators that the kids just play to play. That being said, I did not notice any rivalry or foul play between teams, but only friendly competition.
The encouragement on participation in these early years is supported by Georgakis and Russell who found that in the developmental years of 6-12, emphasis should be placed on participation, social aspects, sport sampling, and fun (Georgakis, Russell, 2011). Sticking to these coaching techniques may help to avoid sport withdrawal from young children.
As mentioned above, the winning team was given a plaque, not a trophy. I found this to be an Australian difference from the United States. To young children in the states, the best prize is the tallest trophy: the bigger the better. If a child was handed a plaque in the U.S., I’m not sure they would be satisfied because it is lacking the height and shininess of a typical trophy.
The children playing were fairly skilled at the sport. I acknowledge that these were the finals, and therefore the best teams in the league, but my sports teams at that age always contained one player who picked at the grass or seemed to be distracted by the sky. I was, therefore, impressed by the children’s focus, enthusiasm, and skill.
Key Area 3 Learning
Participating in any children’s sports teams can definitely reap social and physical benefits for the players in the future. I believe that this concept is fairly universal across cultures because aside from the fact that it gives children great exercise, it also teaches kids how to work as a team, deal with success and failure, and builds self-confidence through an increase in skills and abilities. It also stresses the importance of physical activity. One study suggests that being physically active as a child provides social benefits such as the ability to “acquire new skills, interact with others, meet challenges, develop team skills, and potentially improve self-esteem and self-confidence” (Hardy, Kelly, Chapman, King, Farrell, 2010). It has also been concluded that “children who participate in organised community or school-based sports are more likely to be active and to participate in physical activity as adults” (Hills, Nayha, Temmelin, 2003). For these reasons I find it very beneficial for children to participate in sporting events like those watched on Monday.
Participating in physical activity from childhood through adulthood is becoming increasingly important as obesity around the world in at an all time high. According to the Australian Statistics Bureau, 2.5 million Australian adults were obese in Australia in 2004, and 4.9 million adults were overweight. It is calculated that combined, that is 54% of the population (Health and Ageing Inquiry into Obesity in Australia, 2008). Additionally, the percentage of 15 to 17 year-olds who were overweight or obese increased from 9% to 16% from 1990 to 2005 (Health and Ageing Inquiry into Obesity in Australia, 2008). It was also found that 26% of boys and 24% of girls, aged 5-16 years old, were overweight or obese in New South Wales in 2004 (Health of Children in Australia: A Snapshot, 2005).
These statistics emphasize the importance of children’s sport because exercising at a young age increases the probability that someone with exercise as an adult. One study found that “participation in sports at least once a week in females and twice a week in males was associated with a high level of physical activity in adulthood” (Hills, Nayha, Temmelin, 2003). The skills and habits learned as a child best prepares you for lifelong exercise. For these reasons, I believe that there are great benefits in participating in children’s sport, as seen on Monday.
Children’s sport can also benefit girls specifically. I believe that girls playing sports, especially a rough one like rugby, reflects the message that girls can do what boys can do. Too often in society girls are complimented on looks, charm, and manners, but in the stadium, the girls that stood out were rough, brave, and fast. It’s good for girls to aspire to be more than just pretty. According to Burroughs and Nauright, “there has always been resistance from the male-dominated public culture to support and promote female physicality as equally as male physicality. Sport is perhaps the most significant site where the gender order is maintained in both societies” (Burroughs, Nauright, 2000). The authors also note that female athletes are often criticized for being too manly and their sexuality is frequently questioned. The athletes have been known to retaliate by promoting a more sexual side of themselves through nude photo-shoots and calendars. In the early 1990’s, girls were still expected to act ‘lady-like’ on the field and non-contact sports were encouraged. Today, women’s sport comprises only 1.2% of all coverage in Australia. (Burroughs, Nauright, 2000). This demoralization and disinterest of female athletes is disappointing, but the enthusiasm for the young girls that I saw at the game on Monday gave me hope that times are changing.
While these women’s sports statistics of Australia are unsatisfactory, women’s football is not even offered in the United States. Girls’ teams do not exist, especially not at the young age that girl’s rugby is played. Girls in the U.S. are viewed as too fragile to play football. The only way I have ever seen women’s football played was a “powder puff” football game that was hosted by my high school. The game is designed for high school boys to watch high school girls be thrown around in the mud. Compared to the United States, Australia is light years ahead in the Women’s ballgame department. Therefore it was encouraging to see the young girls playing rough and tough at the stadium.
Participating in any children’s sports teams can definitely reap social and physical benefits for the players in the future. I believe that this concept is fairly universal across cultures because aside from the fact that it gives children great exercise, it also teaches kids how to work as a team, deal with success and failure, and builds self-confidence through an increase in skills and abilities. It also stresses the importance of physical activity. One study suggests that being physically active as a child provides social benefits such as the ability to “acquire new skills, interact with others, meet challenges, develop team skills, and potentially improve self-esteem and self-confidence” (Hardy, Kelly, Chapman, King, Farrell, 2010). It has also been concluded that “children who participate in organised community or school-based sports are more likely to be active and to participate in physical activity as adults” (Hills, Nayha, Temmelin, 2003). For these reasons I find it very beneficial for children to participate in sporting events like those watched on Monday.
Participating in physical activity from childhood through adulthood is becoming increasingly important as obesity around the world in at an all time high. According to the Australian Statistics Bureau, 2.5 million Australian adults were obese in Australia in 2004, and 4.9 million adults were overweight. It is calculated that combined, that is 54% of the population (Health and Ageing Inquiry into Obesity in Australia, 2008). Additionally, the percentage of 15 to 17 year-olds who were overweight or obese increased from 9% to 16% from 1990 to 2005 (Health and Ageing Inquiry into Obesity in Australia, 2008). It was also found that 26% of boys and 24% of girls, aged 5-16 years old, were overweight or obese in New South Wales in 2004 (Health of Children in Australia: A Snapshot, 2005).
These statistics emphasize the importance of children’s sport because exercising at a young age increases the probability that someone with exercise as an adult. One study found that “participation in sports at least once a week in females and twice a week in males was associated with a high level of physical activity in adulthood” (Hills, Nayha, Temmelin, 2003). The skills and habits learned as a child best prepares you for lifelong exercise. For these reasons, I believe that there are great benefits in participating in children’s sport, as seen on Monday.
Children’s sport can also benefit girls specifically. I believe that girls playing sports, especially a rough one like rugby, reflects the message that girls can do what boys can do. Too often in society girls are complimented on looks, charm, and manners, but in the stadium, the girls that stood out were rough, brave, and fast. It’s good for girls to aspire to be more than just pretty. According to Burroughs and Nauright, “there has always been resistance from the male-dominated public culture to support and promote female physicality as equally as male physicality. Sport is perhaps the most significant site where the gender order is maintained in both societies” (Burroughs, Nauright, 2000). The authors also note that female athletes are often criticized for being too manly and their sexuality is frequently questioned. The athletes have been known to retaliate by promoting a more sexual side of themselves through nude photo-shoots and calendars. In the early 1990’s, girls were still expected to act ‘lady-like’ on the field and non-contact sports were encouraged. Today, women’s sport comprises only 1.2% of all coverage in Australia. (Burroughs, Nauright, 2000). This demoralization and disinterest of female athletes is disappointing, but the enthusiasm for the young girls that I saw at the game on Monday gave me hope that times are changing.
While these women’s sports statistics of Australia are unsatisfactory, women’s football is not even offered in the United States. Girls’ teams do not exist, especially not at the young age that girl’s rugby is played. Girls in the U.S. are viewed as too fragile to play football. The only way I have ever seen women’s football played was a “powder puff” football game that was hosted by my high school. The game is designed for high school boys to watch high school girls be thrown around in the mud. Compared to the United States, Australia is light years ahead in the Women’s ballgame department. Therefore it was encouraging to see the young girls playing rough and tough at the stadium.
Works Cited
1. "ANZ Stadium - About Us." ANZ Stadium. Web. 10 Aug. 2011. <http://www.anzstadium.com.au/AboutUs.aspx>.
2. "Australian Bureau of Statistics on Health and Ageing Inquiry into Obesity in Australia." Australian Bureau of Statistics. 2008. Web. <http://www.aph.gov.au/house/committee/haa/obesity/subs/sub085.pdf>.
3. Burroughs, A. and Nauright, J. 2000). Women’s Sports and Embodiment in Australia and New Zealand. In J.A. Magan and John Nauright (Eds) Sport n Australasian Society: Past and Present, London: Cass
4. Georgakis, Steve, and Katrina Marie. Russell. Youth Sport in Australia. Sydney: Sydney UP, 2011. Print.
5. Hardy, L. L., Kelly, B., Chapman, K., King, L. and Farrell, L. (2010), Parental perceptions of barriers to children's participation in organised sport in Australia. Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health, 46: 197–203. doi: 10.1111/j.1440-1754.2009.01661.x
6. "Health of Children in Australia: A Snapshot, 2004-05." Australian Bureau of Statistics. 2008. Web. 10 Aug. 2011. <http://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/mf/4829.0.55.001/>.
7. Hills, Andrew P., Simo Nayha, and Tuija Tammelin. "Adolescent Participation in Sports and Adult Physical Activity." Science Direct (2003). Library Authentication - The University of Sydney. Web. 10 Aug. 2011. <http://www.sciencedirect.com.ezproxy1.library.usyd.edu.au/science/article/pii/S0749379702005755>.
No comments:
Post a Comment