The USA and Australia Flashcards
Give some basic facts about the background of the USA
It now has a population of over 300 million. It is 9.3 million sq km in size. It fought for, and won, independence from Britain in 1783. It is made up of 50 states stretching from Mexico to Canada. Capitalism now encourages individuals to accumulate wealth and this influences sport in the USA.
Define the term capitalism
A system based on private or corporate ownership and the investment of money for profit.
Describe what is meant by the win ethic
This dominates sport in the USA - ‘coming second is not an option’. The outcome is all that matters. Famous NFL coach Vince Lombardi famously claimed “winning isn’t everything, it is the only thing”.
Explain how sport in the USA is driven by commercialism
Private and corporate business use sport to promote their products and achieve goodwill. TV and advertising not only fund professional sport but also govern procedures and influence its rules. Exciting burst of action are sandwiched between commercial breaks.
Compare positive and negative aspects of commercialism
Positive - funding gives athletes the a better chance of success and promotes sports and events that may not otherwise happen.
Negative - Only a few sports performers become ‘mega rich’, they then become walking mobile adverts, money determines locations and timings of events.
Explain what is meant by the American Dream
The term refers to an idea that prosperity depends on your own ability and hard work, not on class. It assumes that anyone can be a success, irrespective of age, gender or ethnic background. From ‘rags to riches’ or ‘zero to hero’.
Could you analyse the developments of American Football?
Origins - Developed in Ivy League Universities, Yale and Harvard. Early 1800’s no generally accepted rules. Play was rough and wild. Serious injury and death were not uncommon
Nature of the game - Toughness, endeavour, courage and physicality were need to become successful. Handling and carrying the oval ball were introduced. It then developed its own rules, tactics and style of play.
It is now a multi-billion dollar business in the form of the NFL.
Give some basic facts about Australia
It is a relatively young country. Australia is massive, it takes six hours to fly from Perth to Sydney. However, it is sparsely populated with 21 million people. It was granted independence in 1901 but remains part of the British Commonwealth.
Define the term indigenous population
The original population of a country. In Australia these were the Aboriginal people until Captain Cook discovered Australia in 1770 and claimed it for Britain.
Why is it that sport is such a high status national preoccupation in Australia?
Favourable climate - increases enjoyment in good weather
Outdoor Life - this is the norm with accessible natural features e.g beaches
Political Support - government invests heavily in sport
Tradition of success - provides sporting role models
Sport is fashionable - it is cool!
Healthy economy - meaning significant disposable income
Manliness and ‘bush culture’ - suited to physically demanding sports
High status in schools - PE is encouraged and promoted
Egalitarian society - sport is for all!
Define the term Bush Culture
The pioneering spirit, ruggedness and stamina of early settlers which suits sport today.
Analyse the game of Australian Rules Football
Also know as ‘fudy’ or simply ‘Aussie Rules’. It is played by 22 players per side on a large cricket oval with 9 officials. It is a hard and physical game with a solid rule structure and an ethos of FairPlay. It is more popular than Rugby Union, Rugby League and Association Football.
Describe the origins of Australian Rules Football
The game was the idea of Englishman Tom Wills and was originally intended as a way to keep cricket players fit in the Winter. Others claim it developed from an Aboriginal leaping game or is a mixture of Rugby and Gaelic Football.
Outline the factors that have shaped the development of Australian Rules Football
Australians living or travelling abroad have spread the news.
Exhibition matches abroad promote and generate interest.
The game is taught and played in schools.
The game appeals to all sexes and body types.
Growth of the media introduced a worldwide audience.
Players converting from other codes of football for the celebrity stays in Australia.
