Sporting heroes
Australians have erected museums and statues to honour sporting heroes. The media reinforces this admiration through ongoing coverage, turning athletes into household names.
Melanie Louise Collins, Cathy Freeman, Commonwealth Games, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, 1994, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-145960092
Melanie Louise Collins, Cathy Freeman, Commonwealth Games, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, 1994, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-145960092
John Player & Sons, Portrait of cricketer, D.G. Bradman (New South Wales), 1934, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-147409444
John Player & Sons, Portrait of cricketer, D.G. Bradman (New South Wales), 1934, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-147409444
Once athletes rise to public prominence, they often take on a broader societal role. No longer just sportspeople, they become viewed as ‘sporting heroes’. With this title comes a responsibility to act as role models, not only to their peers, but to the wider community.
Some athletes, like Sir Donald Bradman, become the face of their sport — someone with whom the sport is closely identified. Increased media scrutiny often follows. These sporting role models are expected to not only excel in their field but also maintain virtuous personal lives, so as not to damage the sport’s reputation.
Rennie Ellis, Robert DiPierdomenico "Dipper", MGC [i.e. Melbourne Cricket Ground], Melbourne, 1986, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-145167595
Rennie Ellis, Robert DiPierdomenico "Dipper", MGC [i.e. Melbourne Cricket Ground], Melbourne, 1986, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-145167595
Evonne Goolagong relaxes at Kooyong between tournament matches. 1 February 1971, Australian Information Service Photograph, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-136843236
Evonne Goolagong relaxes at Kooyong between tournament matches. 1 February 1971, Australian Information Service Photograph, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-136843236
Steve Holland, Australian cricketer Shane Warne holding a cricket ball and stump at the end of the Fourth Test of the Ashes Series, at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, 28 December 2006 [detail], nla.gov.au/nla.obj-137980452
Steve Holland, Australian cricketer Shane Warne holding a cricket ball and stump at the end of the Fourth Test of the Ashes Series, at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, 28 December 2006 [detail], nla.gov.au/nla.obj-137980452
Sport is considered an integral part of Australian society, and the way it is played and watched can reveal much about Australian culture.
According to a study by the Australian Sports Commission, 17 million Australians participated in sport between October 2015 and September 2016.
Even those who don't play are surrounded by sports coverage. The back pages of newspapers feature daily updates, there are dedicated sports channels, and nightly news programs regularly report on sporting events.
The Australian media plays a powerful role in shaping the country’s sporting culture — to the extent that some argue it drives interest in certain sports, rather than just reflecting it.
Journalist Patrick Smith, writing for The Australian, argues that tennis in Australia is declining in popularity. Yet, every January, thousands of Australians watch the Australian Open on Channel 7. He writes:
The Australian Open remains sustained only by a media that frets about what can fill its pages, what to kick off the TV sports news … If the AFL and Rugby League seasons could spread deeper into summer, tennis would be played out merely on the backcourts of the media and public consciousness.
Para-athletes
In 2009, the Australian Paralympic Committee (APC) established the Australian Centre for Paralympic Studies. The centre aims to preserve historical, sporting and business information, build a knowledge base and respond to requests about Paralympians and Paralympic sport.
In 2010, the APC signed an agreement with the National Library of Australia to record oral histories from key figures in the growth of Paralympic sport in Australia. This oral history project supports a broader initiative to document and preserve the history of Paralympic sport.
Serena Ovens, Portrait of Louise Sauvage, 1996 paralympian, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-136368441
Serena Ovens, Portrait of Louise Sauvage, 1996 paralympian, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-136368441
Learning activities
Activity 1: Role modelling
Sporting figures are often cast as ‘heroes’ or ‘role models’, even if they don’t seek this attention. Being under public scrutiny can be a major source of stress. Consider the idea of a 'hero':
- What is the definition of a hero?
- Is it accurate or fair to apply the title to sportspeople?
- What qualities would a sporting hero need to consistently display?
- Should people be allowed to reject the role of ‘hero’?
- Is it important for young people to have role models?
- Who else in your life could be a role model?
- How would you feel if someone said they looked up to you?
Activity 2: Identifying identities
Using the gallery in this unit or the Library’s collection, research a well-known Australian sporting figure.
- What did they achieve during their career?
- How did they start in their sport?
- What challenges did they face?
- Why did they become famous?
- How do they reflect on their success?
- Are they still a household name?
- Who do you consider a great sporting figure?
Present your findings to the class and discuss what makes someone a 'sporting great'.
More to explore
