Shifting Lenses

As a sports fan, I absolutely love diving into the local sports scene whenever I travel. It doesn’t matter what the sport is, if the locals are passionate about it, I’m in. This past spring, during our trip to Australia, we had the fantastic opportunity to go to an Australian Rules Football game: St Kilda vs. Richmond. My dad’s colleague, a lifelong St Kilda fan from Melbourne, was our guide. With his help, we snagged some excellent seats in Marvel Stadium and settled in to cheer for the home team. The game definitely did not disappoint!

Whenever I attend a sporting event in a new country, I can’t help but compare it to other experiences I’ve had. First off, was it family-friendly and safe? Absolutely. Of course, there was some “colorful” language from a few passionate fans, but that’s pretty standard at almost all sporting events globally. The stadium was practically full, and there a great mix of fans from both teams, creating a good atmosphere. The fan culture struck me as quite similar to British soccer/football fans in their enthusiasm and sharp passion, but they were a touch less intense or “harsh.” The game itself was a blend of many different sports, encorporating elements of rugby, soccer, and American football and forming one complex game with it. It felt like a long match, but perhaps that was just due to my unfamiliarity with the flow of play.

Overall, it was a great way to spend an afternoon. Even though I was completely new to Australian Rules Football, the entire experience felt remarkably familiar to the soccer and American football matches I’ve attended in the past, and that’s a good thing. It just goes to show how sports, no matter the specific rules or traditions, can bring people together in a universal celebration of competition and camaraderie.