Rugby union football in Australian society: an unintended consequence of intended actions

Horton, Peter A. (2009) Rugby union football in Australian society: an unintended consequence of intended actions. Sport in Society, 12 (7). pp. 967-985.

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Abstract

The place of rugby union football in Australian society presents a rich context to play and display critical social issues, particularly, identity formations and contestations. This essay examines the development of elite rugby union in Australia from its inception to professionalization. In its amateur development, the processes of colonization and cultural impositions created its culture and legacy. With the overlapping of sporting and economic networks, rugby union entered the professional era. This essay argues that the development from amateurism to 'shamateurism' to professionalism was uneven and contested on various levels. Whilst the development of rugby union in Australia was both a reflection and manifestation of globalization it did not totally parallel the globalization of sport in general, indeed rugby union football remains a particularly 'glocal' game. The points of resistance and departure, this essay concludes, distinguish the identity of rugby union from other sporting institutions and their wider social contexts.

Item ID: 5555
Item Type: Article (Research - C1)
ISSN: 1743-0445
Keywords: rugby union football, Australia, society
Date Deposited: 11 Nov 2009 04:31
FoR Codes: 13 EDUCATION > 1399 Other Education > 139999 Education not elsewhere classified @ 20%
13 EDUCATION > 1303 Specialist Studies in Education > 130399 Specialist Studies in Education not elsewhere classified @ 80%
SEO Codes: 95 CULTURAL UNDERSTANDING > 9599 Other Cultural Understanding > 959999 Cultural Understanding not elsewhere classified @ 80%
93 EDUCATION AND TRAINING > 9399 Other Education and Training > 939999 Education and Training not elsewhere classified @ 20%
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