League Tracking

Living in a Garbage Dump

“It was during a sponsored rugby union visit to Cambodia that I saw children living in squalor on the Stung Meanchey Municipal Waste Dump in Cambodia’s capital, Phnom Penh. Despite the terrible conditions these children were living in, they still had hope and happiness in their eyes,” says Greening.

Greening was inspired to get involved when he saw the difference sports could make to them. Two boys who had grown up on the dump, and had then been given assistance from a volunteer, were now representing Cambodia on the national rugby team. He quickly realised his expertise could go a long way towards helping these children.

Greening says, “In most cases, sport is last on the list in terms of a charity’s funding and objectives. Knowing that sports have excellent therapeutic value, I also believe that the ethics learnt on a sports field – responsibility, leadership, and teamwork – are transferable to any environment. We established this charity to provide an opportunity for children to gain some therapy through various sports, and gain self-confidence.”

Kick a Ball

Thus came about the Sporting Chance Foundation to improve the lives of underprivileged children – whether they’re inner city kids from London, or child prostitutes in Vietnam. As long as they want to kick a ball, the charity aims to always be there to kick it back. “Sporting Chance Foundation established itself by providing the necessities to make this transformation – food, shelter and clothing,” Greening explains, “and we have endeavoured to provide each child with a set of characteristics that will last them a lifetime.”

Jonny Wilkinson Steps Up

Calling upon high-profile friends, Greening gained support from sport and media personalities, including England rugby World Cup heroes Jonny Wilkinson and Jason Leonard, Joel Stransky, leading musician Heidi Range from the Sugababes, TV and radio presenter Dave Berry, and ESPN STAR Sports presenter Charlie Webster. Each has pledged to dedicate their time and expertise to ensure the charity reaches as many children as possible.

To maximise the impact of the Sporting Chance Foundation, Greening ensures that the charity works alongside existing non-government organisations (NGOs). The charity will help supply funding and sporting equipment to orphanages, and work directly with specific NGOs to improve the lives of the children in their programmes.

Greening says, “The charity presently works with three NGOs. Two are based in Phnom Penh and the third is an international charity, Touraid, based out of the UK. Touraid funds children from less developed countries to travel and play sport abroad. The alliance with Touraid gives children from Sporting Chance Foundation the opportunity to experience new regions of the world and learn about different cultures.”

Down in the Dumps

Funding from Sporting Chance not only supports their own projects; if they see an NGO with a suitable cause, they will also help. On a recent trip to Phnom Penh, Sporting Chance Foundation met up with two other NGOs: Friends and the Sunrise orphanage. Both had shelters set up to help the city’s street children. Friends, an inner city shelter, has been incredibly successful at taking boys and girls off the streets; however, the children had nowhere safe to run around. Sporting Chance Foundation proposed a sports hall and playground within the shelter’s walls.

Sunrise, based just outside the city, has a small soccer field, but the girls at the shelter have no sporting outlet. Sporting Chance Foundation drew up plans to build a multi-purpose playing surface for the children to enjoy tennis, badminton, volleyball and netball. This is just the start of their work in Phnom Penh; they will continue to look for more worthwhile projects in the city.

Developing Coaches

Presently, the foundation uses outside help with its construction projects and coaching, but its aim is to make the charity 100 percent self-sufficient. Greening’s goal is that children coached in his programmes will go on to be coaches for the next generation of young sportsmen and women.

Currently, Sporting Chance Foundation helps 2,000 children a day, ranging from infants with HIV to children orphaned by landmines, dysfunctional families or drug abuse. As funds increase, the charity hopes to sponsor children through the local public school. Ultimately it aims to establish its own centre in Phnom Penh near the school with dorms, a canteen, a sports field and sporting facilities.

Through Joel Stransky and Heidi Range, Sporting Chance Foundation is beginning to use the Cambodian template to help an orphanage in the townships of South Africa.

An All-Star Team

Through his contacts in the rugby world, Greening is also in the process of putting together an all-star rugby team to play in Dubai, Hong Kong and Bangkok to raise funds and increase overall awareness of the charity. Two young boys from Cambodia will be invited to join the team for the tour.

“The Foundation’s aim is to ultimately help children in every corner of the world. As a charity that works to a ‘non-compete’ principle, Sporting Chance Foundation openly invites other charities to give a helping hand, resulting in a bigger impact towards helping those in need,” concludes Greening.

Greening is currently living and working in Singapore with Standard Chartered Bank as Associate Director, Global Clients Relations & Entertainment for Wholesale Bank, along with continuing Standard Chartered’s commitment to youth sport and especially Greening’s sport of rugby.

Author: Roger Hamilton
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Sports autograph signings are an excellent an interesting way to begin, add to a sports autograph collection. The signings are usually held along with sports collectible shows so a collector or fan can find a collectible and have the athlete sign it as well. Some of the better known sports figures charge a small fee for their signatures but some do not.

Of course, the better known the sports personality, there is a larger potential that the autograph or the signed item will be of more value as the years pass. But if the personality has been involved in a controversy such as cheating, illegal activities, etc their potential value will decrease. The best way to view such items and collections is an investment; and like all investments there is up trends and down trends. In the collectible market, there is also real world forces at work. If there is a large number of signed items the figure’s item worth will be less than if there was a fewer amount on the market.

But most sports fans are not interested in the value of an items worth when they visit Sports autograph signings. The fans just want to meet the figure that they have enjoyed watching their favorite sport and to have their autograph. The thrill of meeting a well known sports figure is the primary draw to sports collectible signings and promoters that organize the shows try to bring sports celebrities that are well known to the area or may have played for a local sports team. Promoters in larger cities especially ones with one or more sports teams, try to organize events to reflect the particular sport season and attract sports personalities for that sport. Sports autograph signings also create a revenue boost for the host city. Visitors spend money on concessions, lodging, parking, and other taxable items during their visit. Sports autograph signings can be a welcome and beneficial events to the host city and of course, to the visitors to the event and to the city if the visitors are from out of town.

Sports fans and collectors enjoy sports autograph signings for the opportunity to meet a sports celebrity and to also trade collectibles with other sports fans. The sale and trade of the collectibles is usually the passion of adult sports fans who try and build an impressive display of their favorite sports figure or team But the younger sports fans enjoy seeing their favorite sports figure in a setting outside the stadium, playing field or the television. Sports autograph signing organizers attempt to make the function as family oriented as possible so all members of a family can enjoy the event and everything that it offers.

Author: Katie Appleby
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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As athletic development training has evolved over the last ten years, there has been a growing desire for sport-specific workouts. Parents and athletes alike commonly ask for programs that only pertain to one sport. Rarely, however, does anyone come in and ask for a plan that fits them personally.

From a coaching standpoint, it is sometimes difficult to explain exactly what makes a training program apply to one particular sport instead of another. If only there were, say 100 drills that only applied to one sport, and another 100 for a different sport, then this would be a simple concept. Of course, that is not the case. And even if this were true, it still misses the mark on how to best structure a workout plan.

Before getting into individualized training, we need to define what sport-specific actually training is, and why it probably isn’t what most people really need.

General vs. Sport-Specific Training

All types of training drills (strength, speed, power, etc.) can be classified as either a general or sport-specific exercise. General training drills apply to most, or all sports. Sport-specific only applies to one or two, and may only be relevant to a particular position within a sport (like goalie drills for hockey).

To get a better idea of the difference between them, let’s take a look at two leg strength exercises: squats and 45° sled pulls. The squat, when performed properly, is an outstanding strength-building exercise for the lower body and core. Since these are qualities every athlete needs, adding squats to a workout would benefit people in any sport. The 45° sled pull is also a leg strength drill, but it’s designed to specifically strengthen the legs in a skating stride motion. Because this is most beneficial to ice sports like hockey and figure skating, it would be best classified as sport-specific.

Simply put, general training drills develop the basic skills necessary to become a better athlete, regardless of the sport. And if a drill can make you faster, improve core strength, balance, or any other fundamental athletic trait, it should have a place in your program.

Sport-specific drills are valuable additions to many workout plans, but usually account for less than half of the overall program. Overspecializing in drills that only pertain to your sport can prevent you from building the underlying skills you need to realize your full athletic potential.

Individualized Training

Taking individual considerations into account is far more important than designing a program for any one sport. Two main factors should be stressed for each unique case: their age, and the most glaring weaknesses in their skill set.

From an age standpoint, there are certain skills that are best trained during different stages of development. For simplicity, we will only split kids into 2 groups: Ages 15+ or 14 and under.

Kids under the age of 14 are still developing basic motor skills like balance and coordination. They have bones, ligaments and tendons that are still in a highly adaptive state, and are much more susceptible to injury.

Considering what can be vastly improved, this is a time for lots of general balance and coordination work, along with plenty of speed and agility drills. On the flip side, great care should be taken with all strength training in this stage. Although strength drills absolutely should be part of an under 14 program, heavier weight work is unwarranted. Challenging bodyweight drills, and light weight training work to teach technique should be stressed. Repetitions should stay high to ensure that the poundage isn’t too stressful on the musculoskeletal system.

Sport-specific training can be introduced during these years, but the main focus should be on general skills that build a solid athletic foundation.

For athletes ages 15 and up, the focus should switch to power, strength, increased muscle mass (if necessary), speed-endurance, and injury prevention.

Heavier weight training and advanced plyometric training can be gradually added, as the main growing years become a distant memory. Increased volume of training, meaning workouts that are longer and occur more often, should also be introduced. This will increase the “horsepower”, or explosive capabilities, of the individual. If there is one trait that can help you to play at higher levels in any sport, it is increased explosiveness.

Speed endurance is difficult to build in younger years because the cardiovascular system isn’t quite ready to handle it. Your ability to tolerate higher levels of lactic acid (that’s the stuff that causes the burning pain in your muscles) begins to grow in the late teen years. Particularly for serious speed endurance sports like soccer and basketball, this can and should be a part of all high school and college-age off-season plans.

Injury prevention is an overlooked aspect of most programs, but should be emphasized as an athlete gets older. Basic movement patterns can be altered by injuries (even something as minor as an ankle sprain), or by the cumulative effect of intense training. To counteract these unwanted changes, assessments that identify potential problems, along with targeted flexibility drills to correct them, should be implemented on a regular basis.

Training for this age group should also continue to build on the balance, speed, and agility foundation they began in their younger years. Sport-specific exercises fit better now as most kids will have targeted which sport is a priority for them. Assuming they have already built a strong foundation of basic athletic skills, they now have more time to specialize their training.

Once the basic parameters are determined based on age, a program can be further tailored to an individual based on specific skills that are underdeveloped. For those who need to improve their ability to absorb force, plyometric training should be emphasized. Others who have subpar upper body strength would be wise to spend extra time on this skill. We are all human, and everyone has weaknesses in their unique profile that can be brought up to a higher level. Poor programs focus on the strengths of the individual, but good ones eliminate weaknesses.

Conclusion

It is important for parents and players alike to realize that quality workout programs are a blend of general and sport-specific exercises. What should be a larger focus is how to tailor a program to the unique needs of the individual.

It is worth repeating that focusing on bringing up weak points should be a top priority in any off-season plan. Skill testing will help develop a profile that can serve as a road map to your program design. The old saying that you are only as good as your weakest link is as true in sports training as it is in anything else.

It may seem that improving a skill you’ve never been good at will be impossible. Almost every time, however, those who are brave enough to take small steps towards overcoming their weakness someday look back and realize that they have overcome a major roadblock to their careers. Never be afraid to develop your weaknesses.

“Don’t think in terms of limitations. Think instead of possibilities.” - Jerry Lynch

Author: James Herrick, Jr
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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A promotional clip from Shelly Loves new film ‘The Forgotten Circus’ to view the trailer for the film type ‘The Forgotten Circus’ or go to www.shellylove.co.uk. Music by The Irrepressibles ‘In This Shirt’. Performed By Circus Space and Gerard Bell.

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Colorado is a beautiful state located in the Rocky Mountains of the United States. It is a beautiful state with many natural tourist attractions from the skiing, rock climbing, and various water sports available to anyone with a passion for the outdoors year round. However, there is a relatively new passion in Colorado and it is an attraction for anyone who loves sports. Colorado has proved itself to be a very successful place for both tourism and sports and a very successful location for most any professional sports team. The National Football League, National Basketball Association, Major League Baseball, Major League Soccer, the National Hockey League and even a professional Lacrosse team from the National Lacrosse League all have successful programs with the Colorado fan base. It creates a fun environment for people all across the United States and the world who visit Colorado and experience the fun atmospheres offered at the various events.

The National Football League has its representative in the Denver Broncos professional football team. They have been a very successful NFL team and have been around the league since 1960. Season tickets sell out in Denver, despite the teams record. Win or lose, the Denver Bronco fans show up in force. During the off-season tours of both Invesco Field where the Broncos play, and the locker rooms are available.

The Denver Nuggets and Colorado Avalanche are both successful attractions to the Pepsi Center in Denver. The Nuggets of the NBA and Avalanche of the NHL each draw crowds of enthusiastic fans from all over the United States.

The Colorado Rockies were brought to the Major Leagues in 1993 and have been an incredibly popular much loved and supported team. The team plays in Coors Field where there are many fun things for a visiting baseball fan to do before, during and after the games. There are tours of the locker rooms and stadium available when the team isn’t playing at home and during the off-season.

Colorado Rapids soccer is one of the most popular teams in Major League Soccer, and was one of the ten original franchises in the league. The Rapids play at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, a beautiful state of the art facility. Guided tours and field trips for teams are available through the park. A ticket is required to enter, but admission is free.

In 2003 Colorado also joined the National Lacrosse League, bringing in the Colorado Mammoth, a team once known as the Baltimore Thunder, the Pittsburgh CeaseFire and Washington Power. Now at home in Colorado, the successful Colorado Mammoth lead the league in attendance in 2004 and 2006, continuing Colorado’s good reputation as a great place to bring a sports team.

Author: Lucas Pingston
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Youth soccer league is an organization or association which is organized for young players of the sport. Over the past years of the sport, there have been enormous growths on the numbers of organizations or leagues established for the youth in many countries around the world. These leagues are basically organized in order to prosper the sport to younger generation and also to promote their skills through active participation in various tournaments.

Livermore Youth Soccer League is among the many leagues for the youth. The league offers comprehensive sports program for the high school students and a recreational house program for children. The league is under the guidance of the US Youth Soccer and the CYSA-North. The league caters to different age brackets and different levels.

LYSL commits itself in providing the youth the opportunity to participate and develop their skills and at the same time enjoy the game with new found friends. It also helps its players in building their self confidence and become competitive in the sport. This youth soccer league uses age specific methodologies of teaching to make sure that it will be effectively learned by the players.

With hard work and dedication of its administration and staff, each player is given equal opportunities in achieving their personal goals and let them discover their skills which will develop them to become winners.

With outmost support of different agencies and organization to youth sports development, many deserving youth will be given the chance to take part in the field of sport.

Author: John Escribar
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Fantasy football has been extremely popular for years and the Internet has increased the popularity of fantasy sports in general to all time highs. One of the fastest growing fantasy sports is fantasy racing. The NASCAR Nextel Cup Series has exploded in popularity over the past two decades selling out all race events and grabbing huge chunks of the TV ratings. And that, in turn, has increased the popularity of fantasy racing leagues.

There are a wide variety of fantasy racing leagues to choose from. Just like football, you can find a local office pool where you choose a driver or two each week to more sophisticated leagues that involve multi-million dollar salary caps and point systems. Some fantasy racing leagues are free and others charge a fee to participate. Contestants battle it out for bragging rights to thousands of dollars in cash and prizes.

Some consider fantasy sports games of chance but if you ask those that participate and win and finish near the top of their league(s) consistently, you will learn that fantasy sports are Games of Skill. You need to study and stay up to date on all aspects of the sport your fantasy league is based on.

For fantasy racing leagues based on the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series, you need to study and chart how each driver and his team perform at each track. NASCAR is a team sport, a driver alone cannot win a race. If a driver changed teams during the off season, this may impact his performance. There are 36 races on 23 different race tracks and over 50 drivers to choose from so your notes can get quite extensive.

Wallbanger Fantasy Racing offers a helpful cheat sheet that you can individually chart drivers with. I suggest you print one and then make copies or you can come up with your own system. If you want to dominate your league, you will need 23 pages (one page for each track) for each driver you chart. You will also need a folder or binder to stay organized.

You may be asking where do I start?!? Here are some of the things that may factor in to which driver you choose at a certain race track:

Some Driver Factors you need to keep records of include:

• How does this driver perform on short tracks like Martinsville and Loudon?
• How does this driver perform on flat ovals like Indy and Phoenix?
• How does this driver perform on super speedways such as Atlanta and Charlotte?
• How does this driver performance on restrictor plate tracks? (Daytona and Talladega)
• How does this driver perform on a Road Course?
• Does this driver have recent multiple wins at a specific track?
• Has the driver ever raced at this track? (Busch or Nextel Cup Series)
• Did the driver participate in Saturday’s race?
• What is the drivers average finish at this track?
• What is the drivers average finish this season?
• Does your driver have teammates? How many? Do they work well together?
• How well do the Driver and Crew Chief communicate?
• How well does the Pit Crew perform?
• Is the driver happy with his team?
• Does this driver get good fuel mileage?
• Does this driver occasionally make a mental mistake?
• Does this driver usually hit something or get caught up in a wreck?
• Is the driver aggressive?
• Where is your driver in the standings? Close to a bubble spot?

Some Race Day Factors include:

• The drivers starting position
• The drivers location on Pit Road
• The drivers health status (sick or injured)
• Happy Hour speed
• Happy Hour or Practice crash
• Day or Night Race
• Pre race engine change

Some Track Factors include:

• Surface (Concrete or Asphalt)
• Banking (Flat, Average, High Banked)
• Track Configuration: Oval, Road Course, Other
• Restrictor plate required?
• Has a certain make of vehicle dominated this track?
• Is gas mileage usually a factor here?

Please remember that this is racing. “Rubbing is Racing” and accidents WILL happen. Your driver may get collected in “The Big One” or may simply blow a tire going into turn 3, that will happen but not as often to those that study and make smart choices on race day. The bottom line is that if you take notes and study the sport and its participants, you will finish more consistently near the top of your fantasy league standings week after week. This will ultimately land you a championship and a chance at winning some big and sometimes profitable prizes. Find more information on fantasy racing at http://www.race4cash.com This article may be reproduced and redistributed in its entirety free of charge. This article may not be altered in any way.

Author: Joe Radebaugh
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Many people dream to work in sports, but not everyone can make it. Breaking into the sports industry can be tough. There are many different types of skills that employers are looking for when hiring in Minor League Baseball. Seven of the more popular skills desired are Education, Ability To Work Long Hours, Communication Skills, Organizational Skills, Computer Skills, Customer Service Skills, and Leadership Skills.

1. Education is important when hiring for any position. Employers are looking for candidates who are either still enrolled in school or graduated with a degree in Sport Management or a related field. A strong education will lay the groundwork for a successful career in Minor League Baseball.

2. The ability to work long hours is very important in Minor League Baseball and any job in sports. A full time position in sports is typically more than 40 hours a week. It is not your usual 9 to 5 job. Many times employees are asked to work nights and weekends as a result of home games and the fact that sports never sleep.

3. Communication Skills are a huge asset when working in sports. Everything revolves around good communication skills in the sports world, from the intern answering phones to the coach directing the players. If something is poorly communicated then that can cost an organization thousands of dollars. Good communication skills are highly recommended.

4. Organizational Skills are very important in the sports industry. Many Minor League Baseball teams are looking to hire people who are well organized and prepared for any situation. Working in Minor League Baseball can get hectic at times and employees are expected to perform at their best all the time. Going to work ready and organized will help make everything much easier and increase your work output.

5. Computer skills are a big part of any job nowadays. The sports world and Minor League Baseball is no different. Employers want candidates who are proficient in the latest version of Microsoft Office, especially Word and Excel. The business side of sports revolves around making presentations and charts in Microsoft Office. A working knowledge of other programs such as a Graphics Arts program is also helpful. Good computer skills also tie in with good communication skills.

6. Customer Service Skills are very significant for anyone wanting to work in Minor League Baseball. Dealing with customers happens on a daily basis, whether it is on the phone or at a game. The main goal is to try and give the customer a good experience so they will come back. Applicants should be able to handle any situation including dealing with a difficult customer. Good customer service skills are a strong testament to a valuable employee.

7. Leadership Skills are something many organizations look for when hiring. Minor League teams want people who are able to step up to the plate and deliver. Good leadership skills build trust. It is important for employers to be able to trust individuals with vital tasks and know that they will get done. Leadership skills are highly valued in the sports world.

These are seven significant skills that employers look for in Minor League Baseball and the sports industry. By working on and developing these skills almost anyone will be able find success in the industry.

Author: Travis Norrgard
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Check out these valuable tips on rugby and sports collectibles such as how to choose a source, and the best ways to preserve and display your investment.

If you are an avid rugby league fan, you most likely have an interest in collecting rugby league memorabilia highlighting players and events in their respective careers. Rugby league is a time-honored sport that has enlisted quite a devoted following throughout the years.

Once you have had the opportunity to observe the sport, or play it (even better), you will understand why.

It is addictive.

It is a game rich in history on many different levels.

The desire to collect articles pertaining to your favorite sport is not a new one. Collecting rugby league memorabilia is a fascinating hobby that you can choose to do sparingly, or you can approach it more wholeheartedly as a serious investor and collector.

If you are a novice rugby league sports collector, you may be satisfied with locating your treasures at a local sports store. These are inexpensive and limited to very generic items that are commonly seen everywhere. A restricted budget might limit you on the collectibles open to you for your collection.

If you are a serious collector of rugby league memorabilia, you will most likely want to shop for rare items that are in short supply, and in some cases even one of a kind. There are numerous places to find sports memorabilia pertaining to rugby league, but not all offer the selection you seek for your collection. It does not hurt to be choosy about shopping sources for hard to find collectibles.

All major sports are part of a this billion dollar industry that is constantly growing. Rugby league memorabilia is well represented, and you can find signed football memorabilia from almost any person, team, or sporting event that you can imagine.

No special jersey, ball, or other item that represents a great event should be stowed away in your closet. You want to display these treasures proudly for all your friends and acquaintances to see. Framed memorabilia is an excellent way to preserve and protect treasured rugby league collectibles while letting the rest of the world see and appreciate them.

If you are ready to make a significant purchase of some signed sports memorabilia, you should be sure that it is authentic. Some people have forged fake items that were displayed for many years without being detected. Before investing money in a rugby league collectible, be sure that it is genuine.

There are a couple of ways to provide proof your signed sports memorabilia is real. The first way comes from an appraisal by a competent authority who regularly researches items for this purpose.

Optionally, if you buy rugby league memorabilia from a trusted source, it should have a certificate of authenticity that saves you some legwork and research. No matter how you acquire your collectibles, they are worthless if you cannot provide legal validation.

Framed memorabilia is often seen in sports bars and on the walls of private collectors. Based on the monetary value or personal worth of an item, it is important to obtain special insurance for its replacement in the event of something unforeseen, such as damage, fire, flood, or theft.

Author: Martin J Rogers
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Australia is well known for its rich sports culture. The most popular sports in Australia are Australian Rules Football, Cricket, golf and rugby. Due to the increase in sports popularity in the country, there are various websites that provide regular sports updates on tours, travel, sporting clubs, jobs in sport, sports news, sports events and many more.

Australia, a land that measures 7,617,930 sq. km. with a population of 20.6 million, outshines in any sport in the international stage. This is well proven in the Olympic Games and Commonwealth Games every time. Australia is ninth on the list of All-time Olympic medals and has the most gold medals in the history of the Commonwealth games with 643.

Aside from excelling in the Olympics and the Commonwealth games, Australia also performs well internationally in Australian Rules football, Cricket, golf and rugby.

Australian Rules football is the most popular sport in Australia and is the country’s national sport. Australian Rules football is what Major League Baseball (MLB) and the National Football League (NFL) is to the United States of America. An estimated 90,000 football fanatics attend games and cheer for their favorite club. Australia’s national sport was invented by a fellow named Tom Wills in 1858. He took the basic rules of Gaelic football, soccer and rugby and meshed them into a single sport we know today as Australian Rules football. Wells meant for the sport to keep cricketers in tip-top shape during the winter.

The First set of laws of Australian Rules football was published by the Melbourne Football Club in 1959.
The Australian Football League (AFL) is the premier Australian league for Australian Rules football. The AFL came into existence in 1990 and was known as the Victorian Football League (VFL) in previous years. The AFL features 16 teams that compete against each other in 22 grueling but exciting rounds. The AFL season usually starts in the last week of March and concludes in September. The two best teams face each other in the AFL Grand Final.

Cricket is another popular sport in Australia. All cricket leagues are governed by a body called Cricket Australia. This governing body existed since 1905, and was known as the Australian Board of Control for International Cricket. In 1973, it changed its name to the Australian Cricket Board and finally, in the year 2003, Cricket Australia.

Cricket Australia is responsible for the scheduling of matches and the development of cricket in the country and in the Pacific region.

The Australian national cricket team is one of the best international teams in the world. Australia has appeared in the Cricket World Cup final an amazing six times. It has won the World Cup championship a total of four times: 1987, 1999, 2003 and 2007.

The Australian national cricket team also won the ICC Champions trophy (the second most important international cricket competition) in 2006 and 2009. Australia is the first country to win the ICC Champions Trophy and the Cricket World Cup in consecutive years.

It is safe to say that the Australian national cricket team is the Los Angeles Lakers of the cricket world.
Due to their massive success and achievements, cricket fans around the world constantly check for Australian Cricket Sports tours, sports events, sports news and Live score updates. The Australian national cricket team has garnered a large following: online forums and clubs have popped-up everywhere that express their support for Australian cricket.

Australia has also made a name itself in the sport of golf. It currently has the most golf courses per capital. Aussie golfers have also left their mark. There are currently 10 Australians ranked in the Top 100 golfers in the world: Geoff Ogilvy, Robert Allenby, Adam Scott, Michael Sim, John Senden, Brendan Jones, Matthew Goggin, Rod Pampling, Scott Strange and Marc Leishman. The great Greg Norman helped paved the way for many Aussie golfers in the PGA.

The Australian Open is organized by Golf Australia. It is one of the most prominent golf tournaments of the PGA Tour. The Australian Open was last played at the New South Wales Golf Club with Adam Scott winning the tournament.

Another popular sport in Australia is Rugby. It is even argued that its popularity is on par with Australian Rules football because it is the most watched sport on TV in the country. In 2009 alone, an estimated 126 million Aussies tuned in to watch rugby on their television sets.

Rugby originated from England but surprisingly Australia performs pretty well in international rugby tournaments. The Australia national rugby union team is currently ranked third in world rankings by the International Rugby Board (IRB). The IRB is responsible for men’s national teams in the rugby union
In contrast, the Rugby League International League (RIFL) is responsible for men’s national teams in the rugby league. The Australia national rugby league team is currently ranked first in world rankings by the RIFL.

Aussies are crazy about sports, be it Rugby, football, cricket or golf. Sporting events are a big-part of everyday life in Australia. It’s hard to argue against sport being the ‘Australian national religion’. You can just feel the excitement and anticipation once a sporting event is about to begin.

Author: Kannan Moorthy
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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