1980 Tassie Medalist wrote:Nah, I just hate what I perceive/believe to be non-traditional Australian cultural sports aka Basketball, Baseball, Soccer etc.
When I'm Dictator of this country I will impse a $10 level on every man women and child that plays any of the above sports and give the money to what I believe the traditionaly culturally significant sports in this country - Australian football, cricket netball etc
delvered on this day, under my hand and seal
Tassie "Il Papa" Medallist
Basketball has been played in Australia for a bloody long time now, it may have had its origins in the USA, but it has been a sport played thousands of Australians for decades.
Most country areas have had strong Basketball comp's for a long time, where I grew up the guys played footy in winter, the girls played netball, after the local cricket club folded both played tennis in the summer, but basket ball was played all year round by men and woman, other than 8 ball, there was no other sport until you were old enough to play bowls(I know the age thing with bowls has changed now).
Other country areas also have strong mens and womens hockey comp's, as well as baseball and softball comps and although these sports had there origin in other countrys, so did Cricket, Tennis, Rugby Union etc etc etc.
Other than Australian Rules, Rugby League Speedway and Two Up, what other sports had there beginings in Australia?
As much as I dislike soccer, and love to give supporters of the round ball game grief, I still hope the socceroos do well in the world cup, but not as well as the Boomers at the next worlds and Olympics

. Basketball has been a part of Australian life since my old man was a kid (over 70 years)and does have cultural signifigance in this country.