Christmas, Easter and our individual birthdays make for nice reading on our calendars each year, however it’s through the months of January and February that I and thousands of Australians share in some of the finest and most memorable days.
But it’s not always easy being an Australian who loves to watch sport; sacrifices must be made, tough decisions will confront us, injury is prevalent and we sometimes need to fight away tears in order to carry on.
For me, sport takes priority in almost any situation.
Nutritionists stress the importance of a balanced daily intake. I like to do the same although I find my daily intake unbalanced and overwhelmed by the heavy consumption of sport.
Eating and drinking whilst viewing sport allows for optimum viewing, but when stuck in situations where a refreshment or snack is needed, the grab tactic must be applied.
The grab tactic by definition is the acquiring of a drink or snack with only minimal attention being drawn away from the television. Foods/drinks that may fall into this category are chips, BBQ meats and beer.
If you find yourself left with no other option but to make or cook something, the best thing to do is get someone else to do it, your first priority should be wife or girlfriend — and if that is not a realistic option, then you may need to consider going without.
December 26, 2006, I found out firsthand the agony that comes from missing a sporting moment.
With Shane Warne bowling and chasing that prestige’s 700th Test wicket, I decided that was the time to cook bake beans and combine with toast to make a simple, yet affective meal.
Whilst spreading the toast, I fumbled the knife and dropped in on the floor, a rookie mistake. I bent down to pick up the knife and with that, the cheers erupted. I left the knife stranded and made a dash for the television, but I was too late, Warne was already in the arms of his fellow Australians.
I saw the replay, but it wasn’t the same… replays just never are. From that day on, when a sporting moment of significance was upon us, you could find me on the couch, and the couch only.
Already you can see how sport affects the priorities of Australians, especially during these months, and it’s these priorities that need to be set straight during a time where sports clash.
It’s every fans greatest fear; the realisation that one day they may be faced with the decision to choose between which sport they watch.
Hollywood films often use a scene that shows one character having to chose which of their friends will be saved and which will die. I’d be inclined to suggest that decision is nothing when compared to the predicament faced by an indecisive sporting fanatic.
Flicking channels is an art that requires practice.
Flicking to another channel must be done at a time so that you can skip from a commercial break to another sport, what you must avoid is flicking to another add break, this is potentially disastrous especially when faced with phone counselling, Fred Hollows or AAMI insurance adds.
Injury is something any sportsperson is likely to face during their career, television supporters also. The celebration is often the scene for injury. The body, whilst at a relaxed state on the couch must quickly make the transition to jumping up, high fiving, running and hugging.
Most of the time, the body is prepared for such an occurrence, but in circumstance of a close or tense finish, injury is on the cards. As I write this, my knee is elevated and aided by ice as the result of winning poker.
Yes, a dislocated knee cap, chipped femur, ligament and tissue damage was my prize for pocket kings beating pocket aces on the river.
The pain, the sacrifice and the indecision, however, is nothing compared to the feeling after a loss. You feel lost, shattered, heartbroken and flat and for that one moment you can be forgiven for hating the game.
It’s the winning that brings you back to the feeling you’ve desired and for that one moment you can be forgiven for confessing your love to the players.
Playing sport brings together the physical and emotional pain and glory; watching sport brings together that and more.
So next time you hassle your husband to do the lawns, pressure the kids to take out the trash or ask your wife to help with dinner, just take note of what they are doing, because watching sport isn’t a hobby, it’s a job.
And the good thing is, we can all be employed by it.
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