To me the concept of globalisation has always been about the sharing and amalgamation of cultures, ideas, physical space and goods. While watching the Liverpool v Melbourne Victory match on TV Wednesday night I could not help but consider the impact globalisation has had, and continues to have, on the Melbourne sporting psyche. While the number of definitions of globalisation does not quite correspond with the 95,446 people who attended the aforementioned contest at the MCG, there are nonetheless too many to consider here.
One definition given by Giddens (cited in Rantanen, 2005), however, states that globalisation is ‘the intensification of world-wide social relations, which link distant localities in such a way that local happenings are shaped by events occurring many miles away and vice versa.’ With regards to the Liverpool v Melbourne Victory match, one needed only to listen to the vocal performance of the masses in singing You’ll never walk alone, Liverpool’s famous anthem, to gain an appreciation of this intensification of social relations.
Supporters from the UK had travelled to Australia to watch their team, and supporters still in the UK, and many other countries, were watching via various media outlets such as Liverpool FC TV and online streaming sites, linking these events from Melbourne to places right across the globe. The travelling supporters are of course an example of the physical flow of globalisation, whereby individuals and or groups move beyond their borders.
As Strivastava et al. (2013) write, ‘not all movements are for the purposes of permanent resettlement,’ and it is in this sense that the sporting psyche of Melbourne is continually shaped by globalisation. You just have to think of some of the major sporting events such as the Formula One races, the Australian Open tennis, the Melbourne Cup and the Boxing Day test match, to name a few, and you begin to realise that when athletes and fans come here, they bring with them part of their culture and their own ideas on life and sport. As well as this, they share space with locals and foreigners alike, and while their presence may not be permanent, the imprint they leave on us as a city and a community certainly can be.
Reference List
Rantanen, T 2005, ‘Theorizing media and globalization’, Media and globalization 2005, Sage Publications, London, pp. 1-18
Strivastava, S, Warren, B & Moore, C 2013, Topic 2: Global flows and scapes: The flows and scapes of globalisation, retrieved 25 July 2013, ‹https://d2l.deakin.edu.au/d2l/le/content/143750/viewContent/1880460/View›.
Well I must say I really enjoyed reading your blog. I never really thought about the impact of globalization on sport before. I really like soccer and I too watched the Liverpool and Melbourne Victory match and when the crowd all sang united ‘You’ll never walk alone’ it gave me goose bumps. The way that you have linked the physical flow of globalization with the movement of fans not just with soccer but cricket and formula one and how it is not a permanent resettlement was really clever as I have always just associated that with travel tourism like backpacking. Your inclusion of ‘Rantanen’ the week 1 reading I felt really added depth good job.
ReplyDeleteI agree with GlobalTune. This was a really interesting take regarding sport. Not only that, but your post was very concise which made it understandable. I think the definition you used from Rantanen complimented what you were saying because there were so many definitions within the reading. My only advice would be to separate the references from the blog post as individual lines under a 'References' title so the blog post can end without the references looking like a bulk one.
ReplyDeleteCheers guys, kind words. I tried to do that with the references actually but it wouldn't publish the way I had written it...will keep trying because you are right, it takes away from the post a bit.
ReplyDeleteI have enjoyed reading you blog. I like the way in which you have used the current event of the Liverpool and Melbourne Victory match to find a connection with globalisation, plus given it depth by using the readings. However, I didn't watch the game and don't know a lot about soccer but I feel that the match was influenced by Melbourne sports fanatics. They have used globalisation to help them be able to experience watching one of the greatest soccer teams. I wish I could have experienced been part of the red at the MCG and singing the Liverpool theme song .
ReplyDeletethis blog was very well done. drawing examples from recent events which you enjoy was a great way to express your thoughts about globalisation. furthermore, by using a common example that many people will have some knowledge in was a great way to capture the readers of your blog. im not a fan of soccer myself, but i definitely know that it is a world wide sport which definitely represents the concept of globalisation.
ReplyDeleteHi Lachlan,
ReplyDeleteReally enjoyed reading your blog, you had a unique view on globalisation and it was really interesting to read how you related it to your own personal experience! I loved the way you incorporated Strivastavas quote on globalisation into the movements of people regarding big sporting events around the world- Particularly how you said "while their presence may not be permanent, the imprint they leave on us as a city and a community certainly can be". In using a globally recognised example such as soccer you were successful in engaging my interest.
The only criticism I would be able to provide is to separate your paragraphs so it is easier to read and so people dont get put off by a whole chunk of text.
Looking forward to next week!
This was a really cool read man, quite enjoyed it!
ReplyDeleteYou spoke about the spine tingling moment when people gathered in the MCG from all corners of the globe united as one to sing ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’. Sport has been bringing cultures together for years and has turned into a religion for a large portion of the world, especially soccer. They played in Jakarta against Indonesia the week before and it was awesome watching the crowd there do it as well, and English isn’t even their first language! It’s awesome to see how sport (in this case unfortunately due to a terrible tragedy) can bring people from all walks of life together to support their team or cause in other cases.
Hi, I really like your content and your explenation of what is globalisation concering with meida. You write about sport that shapes in media and globalisation. You also give your own experiences which relate to the topic. Your quote is well used in the blog, it gives the sense of globalisation that flows in media.In your blog, you have a good engagement in soccer and globalisation with some cultural background, it attaches the main content.
ReplyDeleteI thoroughly enjoyed reading your blog. You made me realise how globalisation is linked to sport, this is something that hadn't occurred to me. The role of technology in televising sporting events around the world has allowed people with a common passion to unite. I watched the game from well over 1500 kilometres away and could still be caught up in the excitement of it all. The flow of people due to sporting events is great for the economy. I liked how you explained that although some fans may not live locally they still leave a lasting impression. Well done.
ReplyDeleteHey, really interesting read. Like yourself, I'm also a huge sport fan here in Melbourne and I can easily relate to many of the ideas wyou are bringing here. I have lived overseas in a number of different countries and this idea of sport bringing people and nations together is truly a global experience. Great job!
ReplyDeleteLachlan, a very interesting perspective and well-written. Your assertion that globalisation is visible through the fans who travel the globe for major international sporting events is enlightening. Some food-for-thought, and something that you did not mention in your piece, perhaps due to the word limit, is the many fans at the Liverpool-Melbourne Victory match who, despite being Victorian or Australian, chose to come out in support of a club from 17,000km away rather than the local side. This highlights the many Australians who prefer to identify with a foreign 'product', if you will, compared to a local one. Furthermore, it would be interesting to gauge how many fans were actually converted to Liverpool after Wednesday's match. As you appropriately surmised: 'while the presence (of international athletes and fans) may not be permanent, the imprint they leave on us as a community ... certainly can be'.
ReplyDeleteGood post, Lachlan.
this blog was very well done. drawing examples from recent events which you enjoy was a great way to express your thoughts about globalisation. furthermore, by using a common example that many people will have some knowledge in was a great way to capture the readers of your blog. im not a fan of soccer myself, but i definitely know that it is a world wide sport which definitely represents the concept of globalisation. Your use of links within your blog was very helpful for further research and there is use of references throughout. Good job.
ReplyDelete