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a question of sport
The one thing that makes Melbourne sporting events world-renowned is Melburnians.
Visitors are always amazed by the knowledge and respect Melburnians have for sport and its participants. It would seem that everyone in attendance understands every rule and nuance of the sport.
The centrepiece for Victorian sport is The Melbourne Cricket Ground on the edge of the CBD. As the name suggests, it is the home of cricket and the most anticipated match is the Boxing Day Test. This is no ordinary Test match and local knowledge will tell you to pack your turkey sandwiches early as the first day has drawn nearly 90,000 spectators in recent years.
The biggest show in town for Melburnians is the AFL Grand Final. The colosseum that is the MCG, or simply ‘The G’ to locals, engulfs more than 100,000 spectators on the last weekend in September. Tickets to the ‘Grannie’ are like gold and the experience is spine-tingling. The reverence for the national anthem is shattered by the blast of the siren when the crowd erupts as one.
The same passion and excitement can be experienced at the two international motorsport events that are held in the heart of Melbourne and on beautiful Phillip Island.
The Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix is a spectacle that brings the entire city to life. In early March the roar of the F1 engines during Friday morning’s practice session rumbles through every street and laneway of the swanky inner southern suburbs; you can’t help but be involved.
Melbourne has always had a strong Italian heritage so expect to see plenty of red and prancing horses the entire week.
A little over two hours from the Albert Park F1 circuit is the Phillip Island racetrack that hosts the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix, won by Aussie Casey Stoner for the past four years. For most of the year, Phillip Island is the venue for surfers and fairy penguins, but come October it’s all two-wheeled daring and glamour.
The Phillip Island event features racing in each of the three categories (125cc, Moto2 and MotoGP) for three days of action and spills.
If you prefer horsepower with silk rather than leather, a trip to Melbourne Cup Carnival is a must.
The Melbourne Cup is the one event that truely stops the nation. The locals, and visitors alike take the opportunity to dress to the nines to celebrate the occassion both on and off the course.
It’s a celebration of style, fashion and glamour, wrapped around four days of world class racing.
Throughout spring there are many regional events that should also be considered. The Geelong and Mornington Cup are two great regional events and can easily be combined with a few rounds of golf. For something a little more relaxed, a trip to the Hanging Rock Races on New Years Day is always a delightful occasion.
The biggest sporting event in Melbourne, and quite possibly Australia, for total attendance is The Australian Open, the first tennis Major of the year. In 2010, more than 650,000 tennis fans attended Melbourne Park, which also included the highest ever single-day, day/night attendance record for any Grand Slam tournament of 77,043.
Once again, it’s the crowd that makes the event so enjoyable for spectators and players alike. No doubt Sam Stosur and Lleyton Hewitt will have the full backing of the locals but the likes of ‘Aussie’ Kim Clijsters will capture many hearts. In the men’s draw, you can take your pick as to who will be the crowd favourite, regardless of ability or success but no doubt Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Andy Roddick will be well backed.
There’s really only one thing better than actually playing sport, and that’s sitting in the crowd at a major event. The atmosphere alone is worth the price of admission and is something you just don’t get sitting in your lounge. A trip to Melbourne to watch one of these world-famous events is something every sport fan must put on the to do list.
By Greg Norlens
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