Australia, unique in so many ways, has created its own
distinctive sport. Its called Aussie Rules Football, or footy for short. As a
part of the cultural experience, the study abroad students have the opportunity
to go and experience a professional game- Fremantle Dockers (home team!) vs.
Geelong Cats.
Footy is played with two teams of eighteen players. The main
way to score points is by kicking the rugby-like football through two tall goal
posts. You can move the ball up and down the field by kicking, handballing, or
running. A major feature of the game is the concept of a mark, where players
who catch a ball from a kick are awarded possession.
It was so much fun being at this game, everyone was so hyped
because it was the star player of the Dockers’ (Matthew Pavlich) 300th game, and
during the game he scored his 600th goal. The crowd went crazy when he scored that goal. It was so much fun to cheer and scream along
with the die-hard fans.
The first major difference I noticed between the AFL and NFL
in America, besides the different sport, is the lack of showiness behind the
game. There aren’t announcers, cheerleaders, or any type of half time show. It
is a professional sport, yet the atmosphere surrounding it was so laidback,
just like most things in Australia. It was refreshing- it leaves the focus on
the actual game, and the performance of the athletes.
Besides going and seeing an actual game, we were also given
the opportunity to learn and play the game. A group of 12 students signed up
for 6 sessions with the local football club. We had an actual coach, had
practices and everything. It was so awesome to learn more about the game, and
get the opportunity to play it for ourselves. It’s such a fun and competitive
sport, and I actually wasn’t half bad J
