Sport in WA - Topic 5

Well this month after the Olympics (did you notice how well the Aussies did?) I thought I would try to cover some of the sporting facilities and clubs here in WA. Unfortunately I'm anything but "sporty" the typical couch potato I'm afraid and I don't even claim to watch it on TV so not much point in me trying to tell you much about sport, cant claim to be an expert.

I have been to the WACA - for those in the know the WA Cricket ground - had a lovely time watching Fleetwood Mac and then again to see Meatloaf - so as you can see I'm both very old and also not into sport!

My boys tell me that Aussie rules footy means there are no rules and it's a free for all but I'm sure they aren't correct in this assumption, perhaps someone could add a posting on the chat forum about that!

There are certainly more sport clubs here than in the UK and the Aussies love beating everyone at everything! There is a big focus on sport within the schools, my kids were astounded when they started junior school here and had sport every day. If the kids are lucky enough to have a particular talent in sport there are plenty of schools which offer scholarships incorporating special lessons etc to nurture this talent.

Sport is the favourite recreation of many, if your children like sport when you arrive register them for sport activities because you will build a big network of friends when spending time at the matches. One of our boys plays volleyball occasionally and we meet other parents there for a bit of a chin wag whilst the boys have fun. So it is not necessary to be totally serious but you can have fun. Aussies wouldn't agree with me on the serious part to them it's deadly serious. The cry from Aussie friends is "if your not going to win why play" when I tell my children sport is for fun not about winning! So I am in the minority with that view.

Seriously though there is any number of pursuits available to both yourselves and the children. Many clubs have a social club attached and it would be an ideal way to get to know new people whilst having fun.

Because of our lovely weather and beautiful beaches there are lots of things to do on or in the water. Both diving and snorkelling are popular with Rockingham having good dive schools and the bonus of a dive wreck not far off the beach. Wonderful snorkelling experiences can be had off Point Peron in Rockingham and a trip to Rotnest Island is a lovely day out for the avid "snorkeller". Surf clubs and lessons abound here south of the river and there are windsurfing lessons available at Safety Bay. Jet ski areas are set aside at Safety Bay, Port Kennedy and in the estuary at Mandurah. There are numerous jetty's where you can safely launch a boat and water skiers are regularly seen up and down the coast. In the summer the beach is the place to be and you will find lots of clubs and schools to learn anything you wish. Mandurah even has its own dragon boat club and they hold regular events in the estuary.

I have included some web sites so that you can look up all the sporty things you like.

On the water

Motor sport

Recreation Rockingham/Mandurah

As you can see migrating to Perth may turn you or the kids into the next Olympic champion.

Eve



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