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The True Meaning of Culture in Football - A Personal View

rjay
in Melbourne Demons

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We hear the word culture thrown around a lot in football circles.

This club has a great culture, this club doesn't, this is a real culture changer.

I've probably been guilty in using it myself in these terms.

I reality, well my reality at least football is a big part of my culture, I like many grew up with it, played it and love it.

Culture is the game itself and it's place in society

- it's kicking the ball on the street for hours on end with your mates.

- it's playing kick to kick at school during lunch breaks with 20 up each end and everyone trying to take a hanger.

- it's community footy, playing with your mates at the local club.

- it's watching your heroes in the big league and if your lucky and talented enough it's getting to play there yourself.

- it's the stories of past glory; at any level these stories exist not just the big league. Go to any past players event at any club and the history is so rich.

- it's the mates you make along the way, lifetime friendships.

- it's standing in the rain, it's playing in the mud.

It's sometimes hard to explain to others but for many it brings our country together.

Australian rules is such a unique game, it's our game and we all experience it in our own way.

Seeing the film clip attached today really brought it home to me.

Look at the joy these men experience in running out to play the game on foreign soil, some never to play again.

Please excuse my indulgence...

Cheers, Rjay

Edited by rjay

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    Our great game of footy has its own culture - it is a game for everyone that can be played anywhere at any time with any form of footy. I can remember as a boy playing with a cloth filled sock (real leather balls were expensive) in a confined space that could be kicked and marked and we couldn't get enough. So long as it was our game of footy it was enough.

    The modern day cultures are an attempt to graft attitudes and behaviors from other, inferior ball games onto our great game. The correct response is to resist and deny these alien and destructive attempts.

    Our footy is the greatest game in the world and superior to all others sports. We need no culture - we just need a footy to kick.

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