Between Canada and the United states, we have two staple sports that we love: hockey and football. Both are adrenaline inducing, testosterone pumping massive sports with big hits and intense competitions. Both these games are fun to watch and both are ingrained in our culture. However, these two sports are both pretty limited to North America. What is the rest of the world doing?
In the majority of Europe and Africa, soccer, or “football,” is the big thing. Kids grow up kicking soccer balls around in fields compared to our street hockey. Although I could never personally get into “football” -there’s far too much flopping (faking injuries for penalties) for me to enjoy- I get that it’s pretty big in the rest of the world and fair enough. It’s the fastest growing sport in the United States though, so in couple years we might see competitive football as big as American football. I guess the question then is what we’ll call it. Let’s keep moving.
In the majority of East and South Asia, badminton dominates the headlines. The density which it can be played is very valuable in crowded countries. Badminton is also responsible for the fastest recorded ball speed generated by a human in sports. On a record smash, the shuttlecock was clocked at going 493km/h. That’s more than a third the speed of sound. If you have a chance I recommend you watch some men’s doubles. Contrary to stereotypes, it is probably one of the most exciting and fast-paced sports you can watch. But just because of the dull nature of the sport, I don’t think badminton will ever make it big in North America. Let’s keep moving.
In a small corner of the Pacific lies New Zealand and Australia. What do they do down under? In Australia they have their own football, -look at that, a third form of football!- and if you watch a couple minutes of it, you will have no idea what is going on but it will be exciting. It has all intense hitting of American football, the continuity of soccer, and blocking of volleyball, but I don’t think it’s viable to play in school because it’s a bit too reckless and dangerous and requires too large a pitch. The infrastructure just wouldn’t support it. It is still very interesting to watch, so I recommend checking it out.
Alas, we have reached the holy grail: Rugby Union: the “hooligan’s game played by gentlemen”. It’s very straightforward: you run across the field trying to touch the ball to the other end zone. You can pass backward and you can kick. There is also enough complexity with rucks and scrums and lineouts that keeps it fresh and non-repetitive. Of course there are massive hits by the tackler and the ball runner (check out GOAT Jonah Lomu for some of the latter). Of all the sports I’ve played I’ve had my most memorable moments in Rugby. It’s really hard to appreciate the feeling of being on the pitch beside your new brothers just watching the game so I encourage you to go out and try (a goal or “touchdown” in rugby is called a try). The season is starting and this game will change you. I promise.
