Journal Article

Who Cares? Perth Glory and the Future of Football

Tara Brabazon

2004

Overview

An exploration of the social & cultural role of soccer in Australia argues that embracing multiculturalism would greatly benefit the game. This position is supported by examining the success of Perth Glory at a time when the National Soccer League (NSL) has been plagued by bankruptcies & club closures. Perth Glory's history is traced from its entry into the NSL in 1996/97. The team's ability to attract large audiences, as well as its strong management, superb coaching, & dedicated fan base, have benefited Australian soccer emotionally & financially. It is maintained that Perth Glory has been instrumental in facilitating the shift from Australian Rules to Association Football. Attention is called to cultural changes that are eroding Australian Rule's dominance of the sport; Perth's increasing ethnic population; & the emphasis on multiculturalism, not nationalism, at Glory matches. It is concluded that the quest to make the world game Australian must be abandoned in favor of welcoming, not denying, migrants & multiculturalism. 1 Table. J. Lindroth

• Publisher: Australian Institute of Political Science
• Subject: Audiences / Australia / Australian rules football / Committees and inquiries / Competitions / Cultural Change / Cultural Pluralism / Economic Conditions / Ethnic groups / Football / Multiculturalism / National anthems / National characteristics / Nationalism / Popular culture / Professional Sports / Report of the Independent Soccer Review Committee into the Structure, Governance and Management of Soccer in Australia (Crawford Report ) / Rugby / Soccer / Sports / Sports fandom