Guest Author - Michelle R. Mangio
One of my strongest memories of Australia was being in Melbourne the night Australia's team played against Japan in the 2006 World Cup Series. Because of the time difference, the game started late at night. Federation Square was transformed into the gathering place for over a million Australians, who gathered to watch the game - projected against one of the skyscrapers. I don't think I could ever find the words to describe the level of energy in the city that evening.
When Australia won that first game, the cheering could be heard for miles. I know, because I had fallen asleep (it being the first evening I had arrived, and jetlag won out). I was in my hotel room on the 20th floor of the Sofitel Melbourne with all windows closed - when I suddenly was awoken by the sheer noise and vibration of a million people shouting in victory.
Thus, to say that Australia takes its soccer - indeed, all of its sports - seriously is a bit of an understatement. Everything about their sports is intense. Indeed, if you are even remotely a sports fan, or if you just want to experience a true Aussie experience, I recommend you take the time on your next journey Down Under to attend a sporting event. It doesn't need to be soccer. You'll find, I think, that you love Australia all the more for the way they love their games.
Now soccer also has a special love in my heart. I played it for 10 years growing up in my local town's league. This type of football is in fact Association Football. There are different codes of football rules, as football is a term generally applied to any kind of game in which you kick a ball to score a goal. In Europe, most people call it "Football" (and refer to our football as "American football").
The Australia national football team, commonly called the "Socceroos", represents Australia in international association football competitions.
There is also "Australia rules soccer" (also known as "Footy"), which is played on oval-shaped fields. Some notable differences are that there are no offsides and players can use any part of their body to move the ball.
Rugby, arguably Australia's favorite sport, is also a type of football. If you want to see just how serious Aussies are about their rugby, keep this in mind: I would no more recommend wearing Melbourne's rugby team's shirt in Sydney than I would wearing a Yankee's uniform in Boston.
Australians do take their sports very seriously, but they also have great fun with it. Sports games are a time to come together and cheer your team on, as well as enjoy a good game with your mates. Next time you're in Australia, try to catch a local game so you too can experience the Aussie love of soccer.
