As for Australia’s ethnic makeup, I’m aware of the large wave of immigrants who have shaped the soccer culture down under. Perhaps the word “challenge” was too strong. What I meant was simply that there are increasingly more people watching soccer, which challenges the idea of everyone in the country watching Aussie (or American) Rules football in the country. I agree that both sports can and should co-exist in Australia and I see no reason why they won’t.

Thanks for your comment!

As a Melbourne person I can say that soccer is becoming more and more popular. But I don’t know whether it has been ‘challenged’ as many followers are what I call ‘bicodal’. That is confortable to follow both Australian Rules and soccer. This is aided by the fact that AR is played in winter and soccer in summer.

Migrants have had a major impact in the popularity of the sport. In the 1950’s and 60’s Italian/Greek/Croatian migrants etc. set up teams that created a tradition that continues today (look at the names of the Australian national team and most of them would have an continental European heritage).

Let’s hope that the new wave of migrants will continue the enrichment of soccer in Australia.

Unlike some perception overseas, Australia is not a totally white anglosaxon/celtic country. There are plenty of different cultures and it is now recognised that os all national teams, the Australian soccer team is probably the most culturally representative of all.

Just a pedantic note. Australian football is not a variant on rugby but was devised independently by taking elements for gaelic games and Australian aboriginal indigenous games. There is no ‘touchdown’ or ‘try’ in Aussie Rules.