Australia

Characteristics:
Young/new nation
Sparsely populated - 21 million people
Immigration and colonial influence

1770 - Captain Cook first landed
Followed by English convicts and European immigrants
Chinese for the gold rush
People looking for a better life

Sport is a national obsession and passion
90% of Australia participate in sport

Why do they love sport so much?
Bush Culture - Manliness, strength
Australia's climate is good for it
Outdoor life is the norm
Pushed by politicians
Tradition of success
Sport is fashionable
Healthy Economy
Sport has a high status in schools- pathway programmes

Aussie Rules:

Played on large cricket ovals
22 players per side
Either a mixture of aboriginal leaping game and what Tom Wills saw in english public school
Or mixture of rugby and gaelic football
Tom Wills made it for cricketers in the winter
Fourth most played team sport in Australia

Factors shaping development:

Australians travelling abroad have taken the game with them
Festival/ exhibition matches held
Players converted from other sports to get in on the money/ fame that comes with it
Extensive pathway programmes for the game in schools
Appeals to all -can be played by all ages, super rules - limits physical contact

Commercialism:
Highest attended spectator sport
Interest in game
Multi million dollar business
Media promotion
Financial backing from businesses, sponsorships, ads etc