Sports and Nationalism
Kayla Rossetti
SCLG2619: Sociology of Sport
Dr. Fiona Gill
5 May 2014
Sport and Nationalism Research Paper
When sports fans from the same nation come together every weekend in stadiums, or in front of a screen, they suddenly have two distinct things in common—their love for the sport and their loyalty and pride in their nation. Every nation, whether it is Australia or the United States of America, has their set of sports and sporting events that they take pride in. Back in the United States, we pride ourselves on our sports. In Boston, sports fans religiously follow the Boston Bruins in ice hockey, the Boston Celtics in basketball, the New England Patriots in American football, and the Boston Red Sox in baseball. Other Americans from other parts of the country also support their hometown teams in these four same sports. Most Americans can relate on the basis of our love for our sports – hockey, basketball, baseball, and football. Yet, in Australia the “beloved” sports differ. People do not religiously follow ice hockey, basketball, baseball, or football. Rugby and cricket seem to be the most watched and talked about sports in Australia. Just as people in the United States gather together on the weekends to watch or participate in ice hockey, baseball, basketball, or football, people in Australia do the same with rugby and cricket. Regardless of the country, the one common ground the people have with their fellow citizens is sports. In a way, each country has their own set of “national sports.” Some people may be more educated in the national sports than others, but no matter what, all citizens have the ability to identify with the sports of their nations. Based on this analysis, it has become clear that sports teams and events allow nations to develop a national identity and build a strong sense of community through the citizens’ ability to identify with specific sports within their nation and relate to one another on the basis of their love and loyalty for
SCLG2619: Sociology of Sport
Dr. Fiona Gill
5 May 2014
Sport and Nationalism Research Paper
When sports fans from the same nation come together every weekend in stadiums, or in front of a screen, they suddenly have two distinct things in common—their love for the sport and their loyalty and pride in their nation. Every nation, whether it is Australia or the United States of America, has their set of sports and sporting events that they take pride in. Back in the United States, we pride ourselves on our sports. In Boston, sports fans religiously follow the Boston Bruins in ice hockey, the Boston Celtics in basketball, the New England Patriots in American football, and the Boston Red Sox in baseball. Other Americans from other parts of the country also support their hometown teams in these four same sports. Most Americans can relate on the basis of our love for our sports – hockey, basketball, baseball, and football. Yet, in Australia the “beloved” sports differ. People do not religiously follow ice hockey, basketball, baseball, or football. Rugby and cricket seem to be the most watched and talked about sports in Australia. Just as people in the United States gather together on the weekends to watch or participate in ice hockey, baseball, basketball, or football, people in Australia do the same with rugby and cricket. Regardless of the country, the one common ground the people have with their fellow citizens is sports. In a way, each country has their own set of “national sports.” Some people may be more educated in the national sports than others, but no matter what, all citizens have the ability to identify with the sports of their nations. Based on this analysis, it has become clear that sports teams and events allow nations to develop a national identity and build a strong sense of community through the citizens’ ability to identify with specific sports within their nation and relate to one another on the basis of their love and loyalty for