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City Guide - Perth - Sport | ||
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Sport West Australian soccer came of age in 2000 when the Perth Glory made the National Soccer League grand final. They lost to Wooloongong, but the game's popularity had grown so much that the state government announced the construction of a dedicated soccer stadium. The more traditional sports obsession for the Westralian winter is Australian Rules Football (AFL), also known as 'aerial ping-pong', with local loyalties divided between the Fremantle Dockers and the West Coast Eagles. Matches are held at Subiaco Oval, Roberts Road, Subiaco (tel: (08) 93 81 55 99) or the WACA (see below). In summer, the sporting focus is on cricket. Western Australia competes at the national level for the Sheffield Shield. Local matches take place at the WACA (West Australian Cricket Association), Nelson Cresent, East Perth (tel: (08) 92 65 72 22). Tickets to AFL and cricket matches are available at the venue on the day or from Ticketmaster (tel: 136 122). The West Australian newspaper has match details on Fridays and Saturdays. Watersports: These are a way of life in Perth. Windsurfing on the Swan River and on Sunset Coast beaches is very popular and boards can be hired from Pelican Point Windsurfing (tel: (0418) 556 589) or Broadway Surf & Sail (tel: (08) 93 86 60 89). Perth was synonymous with sailing even before hosting the America's Cup in 1987; Swan River catamarans can be hired from Funcats (tel: (0408) 926 003), and yachts from Sailaway Sailing School & Yacht Charters (tel: (08) 94 57 64 80). Surfing, bodysurfing and scuba diving can be enjoyed all along the Sunset Coast. For information on diving, contact the Perth Diving Academy (tel: (08) 94 30 63 00) or Underwater World Dive (tel: (08) 94 47 75 00). Golf: Perth is a golfer's paradise with a plethora of world-class public courses, including Araluen Country Club, Country Club Avenue, Roleystone (tel: (08) 93 97 90 00); Joondalup Country Club, Country Club Boulevard, Connolly (tel: (08) 94 00 88 11); and Novotel Vines Resort, Verdelho Drive, The Vines (tel: (08) 92 97 02 22), home of the Heineken Classic Perth. Fees for an 18-hole game are approximately A$50 Monday to Friday and A$65 Saturday and Sunday. Many private golf clubs have reciprocal playing rights with overseas and interstate clubs. Tennis: Public tennis courts near central Perth include the State Tennis Centre, Bolton Avenue, Burswood (tel: (08) 93 61 11 12) and the Loton Park Tennis Club, corner Bulwer Street and Lord Street (tel: (08) 93 28 50 65). Courts cost A$8.50-12.50 per hour, depending on the time of day. |