FINAL VERSION Noah N. Exam-style Questions

 

What is the relationship between sport and national and cultural identity?

Exam-style Questions

1 Sport has contributed to the establishment of an Australian national identity in a variety of different ways since the colonial times. One way was through sporting achievements. Another way, which is quite different from sport, was war. Australians proved to the British and other countries their loyalty, bravery, determination and mateship at Gallipoli. It totally changed the image that the British had of Australians. Prior to that however, the British people had already seen the physical capability and maturity of Australians through cricket. The cricket matches most likely helped in the formation of Australia in 1901. Cricket allowed the different states and territories to unite and think of themselves as Australians. Many people began to realise the difference between British people and Australian people. There was the belief that the British people were testing the Australians. This also assisted in the formation of Australia. The victory of Australia would prove to the British that they were able to be independent. The Australians would celebrate after winning and this also developed their identity. Sir Donald Bradman is a notable Australian cricket player. I first learned about him while reading the small paragraph on each page of a school diary. I only remember that the British made a rule to try and stop him from scoring so much.

Australians have continued to succeed in the Davis Cup, the Commonwealth and Olympic Games, the World Cup and the Ashes series. The successes of Australian athletes in these sporting events continue to make the Australian people proud. Nations and communities can be united through sporting achievements. National identity is most strongly shown in the Olympics. Athletes aim to win the medal not just for themselves, but for their country. Many sporting activities such as AFL, cricket, soccer, swimming and tennis are closely associated to Australia. Sports such as baseball, soccer, martial arts and sumo are the sport types which Japan is good at and some of them are thought to be the national sports of Japan. Japan does not have any official national sports. National sporting activities are hard to define sometimes.

Many communities and states within Australia unite as one with the aid of Rugby league and AFL. Local regions gain economic and social recognition when individuals or teams from that region gain attention. Entire towns work around sporting clubs. In the old days, nations could be united through sport. In the 21st century, sport is no longer a large factor in the unity of a nation. Still, sporting achievements do continue to contribute to the perpetuation of national and regional identity. This association between sport and identity is encouraged.

2Government funding has apparently assisted the growth of sport in Australia. Although this support only started in the 1970s, sport in Australia changed dramatically from what it used to be. Community fitness was promoted, financial assistance was provided to national sports associations and sporting facilities such as swimming centres, parks and playing fields were established and improved. Young talented people were able to develop their skills from an early age.

The Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) was established in 1980 in Canberra. I went there in 2012 and participated in a tour of the facilities. The raising of the standard of Australian elite athletes was the primary aim of this institute. The Australian Sports Commission (ASC) was established to help develop sports in Australia even further. It is responsible for distributing funds and guiding and leading sporting activity in Australia. Media coverage and sponsorship of teams by different companies helped raise the fame and importance of sport as well. People would read newspapers for information about the match and watch television to actually see the match. Companies sponsor a variety of sport teams and sporting individuals to connect with fans and the community. People see the logos and items when watching the sport. Seeing the logos so often results in memorising them. Some athletes and sporting teams begin their formal career by first working at a company. Fans of a particular company would become fans of the team that it sponsors. Fans of the team that a particular company sponsors would become fans of that company. Companies which support a single team for long periods of time become closely associated with them.

Before the 1970s, athletes had to fund their own participation in international contests and develop their own talent by themselves. Professional sport was for those who wanted the glory. It had little to do with politics. After Australia’s international sporting image was tarnished at the 1976 Montreal Olympics, the government hurriedly began funding and establishing all sorts of facilities and institutes. This totally changed sport in Australia. The difference between sport before the 1970s and sport after the 1980s shows that government funding has assisted the growth of sport in Australia greatly. Government funding is vital for achievement in sport.

3 The impact on athletes and the Australian public of sport being used for political purposes was probably minimal. It is disturbing but a fact that needs to be accepted. International sport is in most cases, a diplomatic tool. In Japan, I found an emphasis of the 2002 FIFA World Cup match that was held in Japan and South Korea in the history textbook. This was due to the match as being a symbol of improved relations between the two countries. There are still some history textbook problems and territory problems that remain unresolved between the two countries.

The Australian public would have had mixed opinions of sport being used for political purposes. Since the actual people who are involved in the issue are usually athletes, the Australian public is not influenced by the use of sport for political purposes. Now that there is the Internet, the Australian public will most likely never become affected by the use of sport for political purposes. Australians in Sydney demonstrated the real way of hosting the Olympics. The people changed because there was the Sydney Olympics going on. They were affected by the Olympics, which is closely related to politics.

Individual politicians and governments are often remembered and associated with certain teams, sporting events and state/nation’s sporting successes. Sydney was chosen to host the 2000 Olympics largely due to John Fahey’s role in the bidding process. He showed great emotion when Sydney was chosen to host the Olympics. Australian people will always remember John Fahey when they talk or think about the 2000 Olympics.

The Olympics is meant to be an occasion that promotes peace and good relations between countries. It also allows some countries to show off their uniqueness and support the tourist industry. All countries that participate are ranked in order of the most medals won. The countries which rank at the top are considered to be strong and successful in the Games. There are many people who are passionate about sports and the Olympic Games. People who are actually at the venue will see the action first hand. The video will be broadcasted to the whole world and people will be able to enjoy it in their own homes. The passion of the athletes and the excitement of the fans are the more important aspects of the Olympic Games.

The intervention of governments in sports policy is probably one of the most distressing impacts on athletes. The Australian government rarely interfered in such issues before the 1950s. Tours to South Africa and participation in sport with South African teams were banned during the 1970s. This was done in protest of the apartheid policies of the South African Government. The federal government opposed the decision by the Australian Olympic Federation to participate in the 1980 Moscow Olympics. The federal government wanted to show their support of America boycotting the Games by doing the same. The conflict between loyalty to the government and loyalty to sport in Australia was shown during the issue. Although sporting events such as the Olympics have ties with politics that can no longer be changed, sports should not be too closely connected with political issues. It is essentially a completely different thing. If I had not read this part of the booklet, I would not have realised how strong the ties between sport and politics were.

4Sport and physical activity haveinfluenced and contributed much to the life and identity of Indigenous Australians. They have a long history in Australia and their own type of sport was developed through an extensive amount of time. Survival skills and respect for tribal elders was taught through their sport. Their physical activity and sport mimicked daily life. Any ‘organised’ games were all about enjoyment rather than result. Throwing spears at targets, using boomerangs, and running, jumping, climbing and fishing were all physical activities designed to improve the skills of hunting for food. Competitions included tree-climbing races and throwing spears for distance. Disputes were sometimes solved through wrestling competitions and people improved their wrestling skills. Dance was an important part of Indigenous Australians. Initiation processes and corroborees were all based on dance. Stories were portrayed by dance. Various types of balls were constructed and used to practice catching, throwing and kicking skills. Only interaction and participation were promoted.

The Yuendumu Games were created in 1962 especially for Indigenous Australians. It is an event with a mixture of sports and cultural events. Contests are based on many traditional games such as boomerang-throwing and Australian football. Communities are unified and the cultural identities of the participants are strengthened. Boxing has provided the path for several Aboriginal men to find fame.

Australian football is a very important part of Indigenous Australian identity. There are many players who are positive role models for young Indigenous Australian children. These role models also assist in creating a sense of identity. Although Adam Goodes is currently being booed by opposition fans and apparently has many people who don’t like him, he has achieved much and has helped many young people. I do believe he is still respected by many Indigenous Australians. Indigenous Australians will participate in sport with more enthusiasm and pride with so many strong, skilled and famous Indigenous players being talked about. They will lead active, healthy lives through exercise. They will also interact with many people through sport. One-third of Indigenous Australians participate in some kind of sporting activity.

Many Indigenous Australian track and field athletes including Cathy Freeman have also assisted in establishing an identity for Indigenous Australian people. They are also positive sporting role models. The Australian Sports Commission is aiming to improve the participation rates of Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders in sport and recreation and thereby develop communities.

5Physical activity, sport and cultural identity are different things but are closely linked. Physical activity is anything that involves moving the body. Sport is a portion of physical activity which begins to involve competitiveness, skills, brain-function, teamwork, training, professionalism and many other things. Cultural identity is different from national identity because it focuses on the cultural aspect. It does not have the borders of a country.

Competitiveness is a main aspect of sport. Young people learn to work hard to win and experience the emotions of losing. They also become more mature and good at their sports. Some societies also have enjoyment, participation and social and health benefits in mind when they play sports. Some like competitiveness and others like to enjoy and relax.

Australians are no longer just Anglo-Saxon middle class males. The diversity of the population has increased and the types and ways of playing or doing physical activity have increased as well. Some cultures have their own idea of what physical activity is. The link between cultural identity and sport was mainly created by many ethnic groups participating in physical activities that were traditionally associated with their culture. A great example of the link between sport and cultural identity is shown by Indigenous Australians participating in Australian football. The style of Australian football reflects traditional activities and games that were passed down by Indigenous Australians before European colonisation.

Physical activity is viewed around the world as vital to a healthy lifestyle. Teenagers should do rigorous exercise for at least an hour each day. The bones can only develop during the teenage years. These have become common knowledge. Lifestyle diseases would be reduced with participation in physical activity. The purposes of participating in physical activity are different in varying communities.

In the past, only the body was trained. Now, the mind is also trained to improve concentration and focus. Physical activities such as tai chi, yoga and various martial arts are all from Eastern cultures but have become popular in Western cultures. People from various cultures will further develop their sense of identity by participating in physical activity that is related to their culture.

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