Sport is integral to Australias way of life and how we are viewed by the rest of the world. In 2008 6.

5 million Australians were registered as sports participants and there were 120 national sporting organisations and thousands of local sports bodies. Sport has been popular in many countries, as well as helping many nations to promote its cultural identity and encourage tourism links. As a result, nearly every country is involved in sport, namely the Olympic Games and the FIFA World Cup. These global sporting links not only increase Australias international status but have: Assisted in building a strong national identity Provided an outlet for national pride Established goodwill and cooperation among nations Increased tourism and trade in exported sportswear, such as Rip Curl, and Exported our unique Indigenous culture

Description of the link and identification of countries involved

The Rugby Championship, formerly The Tri Nations, is an international rugby union competition contested annually by Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and from 2012, Argentina. The competition is organized by SANZAR, a consortium formed by the governing bodies of the Australian Rugby Union, the New Zealand Rugby Union and the South African Rugby Union.

Explanation of the roles and actions of different levels of government

The Australian Sports Commission is the Australian Government agency responsible for the development for the development of sport in Australia. It is also responsible for the Australian Institute of Sport, which is Australias premiere sports training institute. The Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority is a government statutory authority that is Australia's driving force for pure performance in sport. It is the organisation with prime responsibility for implementation of the World Anti-Doping Code in Australia.

Discussion of the importance of relevant non-government organisations

Australian sport does not have any treaties or agreements as of yet. However, there are a number of Australian sporting governing bodies. The Australian Rugby Union (ARU) is the governing body of rugby union in Australia and is responsible for the Australian national rugby union team. It was founded and is a member of the International Rugby Board (IRB) the sports governing body. The ARU consists of eight member unions, representing each state and territory. Each of these unions is the governing body of rugby league in their respective state. Each state has its own institute of sport which provides facilities, services and sport programs to elite and emerging athletes, enabling them to pursue their sporting careers with minimal disruption to their family, education and employment.

Analysis of advantages and disadvantages

Advantages Cultural understanding is encouraged through the Rugby Championship and it also helps Australias historical, social and cultural ties with other countries The Rugby Championship improves Australias tourism market and promotes the nation, creating businesses, jobs and fostering economic growth The Championship strengthens Australias links to other countries, a significant geopolitical advantage

Disadvantages The Championship can promote a culture that links sport with politics, similar to the global demonstrations against human rights abuses by China before the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games The commercialisation of sport attacks the central ethos (please search up how to pronounce this word or else >.<). The 2012 Rugby Championships have been renamed in each of the four participant countries to promote Castle Beer, Castrol, Investec Bank and Telecom Personal. The culture of sport itself is changed due to the sponsorship and money linked to it. Though not as prevalent in the Rugby Championships as in other major sporting events such as the Olympic Games, a major economic disadvantage is that it is expensive for poorer countries to participate and succeed in these competitions. It also costs a lot of money to host a championship, with many resources being diverted towards the event temporarily from local residents.

Outline of any implications for social justice and equity

Generally, in world sports, it is difficult to maintain social justice and equity due to the difference in technology and facilities between countries. For example, Australia has over 30 venues that have regularly hosted National Rugby League or higher standard rugby league matches. South Africa, in contrast, has 10. Another issue is the training opportunities in the countries. Australia, being a developed first-world country, has a multitude of facilities and equipment that cater for potential rugby league players. South Africa, however, being a developing country has substantially fewer opportunities for rugby league players, and is now attempting to recover from a tumultuous tenure of corruption during former president Brian van Rooyens administration.

Books Bob Howitt, 2005. Sanzar Saga - Ten Years of Super 12 and Tri-Nations Rugby. Jonathan Ball Publishers.

Frank Pyke, 2006. Champions in sport and life : and the companies that make it happen. ETN Communications Susan Bliss John Paine, 2000. Geoactive2; Stage 5; Australian Geography. 2nd Edition. Jacaranda Press. Websites Australias Global Sports Links. 2010 . [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.ptc.nsw.edu.au/SiteMedia/w3svc361/Uploads/Documents/SPORT%20LINKS.pdf. [Accessed 22 September 2012]. Australian Sports Commission. 2012. Australian Sports Commission. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.ausport.gov.au/. [Accessed 22 September 2012]. The Ruby Championship Official SANZAR Website. 2012. SANZAR [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.sanzarrugby.com/therugbychampionship/. [Accessed 22 September 2012]