More people go to galleries and the cinema than go to sporting events. But are we watching too much and doing too little? Definitely. Get out there! Have a go!

Yes, many people do watch a lot od sport but not actually participate in it themsleves or play it. Sport does define Australian culture (just think of Danald Bradman), but its curious as to why…maybe sport is seen to be something that anyone can participate in , therefore is seen as something the ‘average’ person can participate in and therefore not ‘elitist’. It would be interesting if Australians held non-sports stars , such as scientists, writers, authors, artists, composers, etc with the same esteem as sports players…who really has contributed more to the development of Australian identity and society?

Yes there is too much sport and far too much money goes into funding it. I believe this is because the people in control of the purse strings are from business and politics rather than the arts, the majority are macho males and most of them would know more about Collingwood’s star players than what Fauvism or the Belle Epoque refers to. In Tasmania, the government has spent millions on football and cricket while our museum and gallery are straight out of the 1950s. My State Credit Union funds football in Tasmania in preference to the arts. Plus ca change, plus c’est la meme chose ….

I do not believe that we are too sport-obsessed, the only problem with sport in Australia is that too many people are sitting on the couch watching it and not getting out and playing it. I am a high school student, and I am friends with a lot of sporty people, all of which are very happy with who they are. Many girls that are my age that do not play sport are looks obsessed, and do not have much self respect when it comes to their body. All round people that play sport are happier with themselves.

I don’t think there is enough people participating in sporting activities, we watch a lot of sport but are not participating in the sport. We need parents to stand up and get their kid to get them involved in some type of sport.

i think that australians are obsessed with supporting and watching sport but don’t actually do much. they just watch them on television or the internet. Australia is one of the fattest nations so we cant be obsessed with doing sport.

I feel that not enough people play sport, I mean yes there is too much money going into sporting events but there isn’t enough people actually getting outside and playing. I also agree that the scientists, the writers, authors, artists, actors etc.

I believe we need to do more sport.
I’m in a friend group with like 12 friends and only like 3 of them play any sport me being one of them, I don’t just think its sport but its hobbies too, people are too busy playing video games to do hobbies like musical instruments. I play tonnes of sport and the drums I play both winter and summer hockey and sometimes indoor soccer.

I don’t believe Australians are too sports-obsessed. Australians are known for loving their sports, and why not celebrate that fact? Claire makes a point in saying that most of us don’t actually play the sports, but those of use who are movie obsessed don’t have the opportunity to actually act in the films either do we? From an early age we are educated to love sport - girls mostly playing netball and boys football. Then as we get older most schools make it compulsory to take one day a week for a PE lesson. There is probably too much money put into promoting the sports, yes, but if it’s so highly celebrates, shouldn’t the nation be allowed to love it?

No we aren’t too sport obsessed, I think its part of our culture.
I do agree with comments saying that we should participate more and not just watch.
Though think the amount spent on funding sport (at all levels) is justified given the amount of benefit it provides for things like the economy and health system.