Where is the sporting capital of the world?
Melbourne in Victoria, Australia, is frequently proclaimed and called the sporting capital of the world. Melbourne is second largest city in Australia yet were elected the sporting capital of the decade in 2016. The people of Melbourne are actually sports nuts and it isn’t important just what the sports activity is, the crowds in Melbourne turn out for it.
So why is Melbourne the sporting capital and just how did it end up being the sporting capital? Firstly, Melbourne is known for a vibrant sporting history and tradition. The city was initially founded in 1835 and sport was a aspect of city daily life right from then, with the Melbourne Cricket Club (MCC) being created in 1838. The now iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) opened in 1853. It is still there and it is now the most significant sports arena in that part of the world. Different types of football became also popular in Melbourne’s beginning years, subsequently leading to its own sports activity – Australian Rules Football (AFL), or ‘footy’ as it’s called by the locals. The first Melbourne Cup horse race happened in 1861 and it is still going. The initial Australian tennis championships occured in 1905 and it is still held there. Melbourne held the 1956 Olympics.
Community sports activity is known as a important part of the the cities life style and engagement rates in the city are probably the highest globally. This is readily witnessed each weekend you will notice exactly how prominent local community sports activities is with people participating and viewing a wide range of sports activities for example cricket, tennis, footy, rugby, netball, basketball, baseball, golf along with soccer. They play an important part of so many people’s community lives and wellness. When individuals in Melbourne are not playing sport, they are fans of watching sport. The Australian Football League grand final draws 100 000 individuals to the MCG. Rugby Union is not a well-known or a common sport in Melbourne, but Melbourne stills hold the record for the highest number of individuals to go to watch a game live!
As well as the 1956 Olympic Games, Melbourne continues to hold international sports. Every year, they hold the F1 Australian Grand Prix, the Australian Open Tennis Grand Slam, the Spring Horse racing Carnival, the MotoGP, the Boxing Day cricket international game along with the Rip Curl Pro surfing competition. You will find the key AFL, National Rugby League, or Australian A-League (soccer) matches on almost all weekends. There have also been various other international one-off events like the Commonwealth Games, the Cricket World Cup, World swimming championships and also Asian Cup soccer.
All of this is supported by lots of first class sports activities amenities like the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre, Melbourne Park, Rod Laver Arena, AAMI Park, Hisense Arena, Etihad Stadium, Flemington Racecourse, The State Netball and Hockey Centre, Margaret Court Arena and the Melbourne Grand Prix Circuit that is an infrastructure that is not near to being matched by any other city in the world. It is easy to observe how and exactly why Melbourne is considered the sporting capital of the world and just why sport is such a part of the life style around Australia.
