Australia has a sporting history dating back to the mid 1800s. Australians love their sport and many sporting fields are packed every weekend. If Australians are not playing, they are certainly watching it at the many sporting venues around the country, including soccer, athletics, Australian rules football, baseball, basketball, cricket, cycling, golf, gymnastics, horse racing, motor racing, netball, rugby league, rugby union, shooting, swimming, tennis and tenpin bowling. Australia's climate lends itself to some sports, such as swimming, more than others, such as snowboarding.
As a nation, Australia has competed in many international events including the Olympics and Paralympics, the Commonwealth Games and sport specific events like the FIFA World Cup and the Cricket World Cup. The country has a large number of national teams in sports such as association football (soccer), basketball, hockey, netball, rugby league, rugby union, softball, water polo and wheelchair rugby. Women's sport first really began in Australia in the 1880s. Netball is one of the most popular women's sports in the country. Competitive disabled sport exists in Australia, with the country having a national women's deaf association football (soccer) team, and competing in major events such as the Summer and Winter Paralympics. More sports added soon.
