Wimbledon, it seems, has had enough of ‘The Fanatics’. They were noticeably told to “be quiet” and “sit down” by Wimbledon officials during Sam Groth and Roger Federer’s Centre Court showdown. Is this the beginning of the end, or a one-off?
For well over a decade now The Fanatics have been a physical, visual and vocal presence at all tennis Grand Slams – among a plethora of other sports – and their singing and cheering has brought many light-hearted moments in sometimes dull proceedings.
However, there are also those who view them in a negative way. Words like boorish, oafish, annoying and disruptive spring to mind. Bogan if you will.
Tennis has its traditions, particularly at its hallowed home, the All-England Club. To try and use the argument of “I’ve paid my money, I’ll do what I want” is juvenile and ignores the importance of the sport’s ethos. Thousands of other patrons have paid their money too and deserve to watch the match as they want to, without being interrupted every single point.
Can you imagine sitting behind The Fanatics as they rise from their chairs each point? Every. Single. Point. It would be excruciating!
In the interests of full disclosure, I wanted to be a Fanatic at one time. It never eventuated for a variety of reasons, most notably because I couldn’t afford the time or cost involved.
This group of men and women absolutely have a place. In tennis, that place is the Davis Cup or Fed Cup. This is the one time that there is a genuine level of nationalistic fervour. Knock yourselves out cheering for Australia.
The Fanatics won’t be going anywhere quickly, nor do I want them to. I love their passion for sport, and the support they’ve provided over the years has helped the success of many Australian sportspeople.
However, it is time they revised their behaviour.
Ironmonger
Guest
I have not been able to watch the tennis out of sheer ambarassment at the boorish, witless, stilted shouting that these kids carry on with. Can someone please strip them of their citizenship ....
Lester
Guest
Yep you're a mug if you travel with them now. Green and gold army were guilty of the same thing and now they are nearly dead after a good dose of supporter backlash. It seems that the fanatics only survive because the cricket/tennis bogans don't know any better.
jd
Guest
too true! i did the brazil world cup tour with them. It coast exactly double what it would have cost if i organised my own travels.
Bondy
Guest
I though the fanatics were floated into Wimbledon to bring life into the joint . I'd prefer to watch a Cyclist climb a mountain in France at an average speed of 95 kmh ?, than worry over fanatics ..
SM
Guest
Indeed, the Barmy Army can be good value. That's not cultural cringe, it's just the reality of it. The comparisons between them and the Fanatics are minimal at best.
AR
Guest
Dear Wimbledon (and world) Please know that with every cringe, groan, eye-roll and "shhh" that you direct towards that loud witless troupe of travelling bogans known as the Fanatics, that we are cringing, groaning, eye-rolling and "shhshhhing" with you. Sincerely the overwhelming majority of sensible, ordinary, thinking Australians.
melbourneterrace
Guest
Us football fans want nothing to do with them. They are treated like lepers and actively shunned by other socceroos fans. Say what you want about the Barmy Army, but at least some of their songs are funny and creative. The same cannot be said about the Fanatics.
melbourneterrace
Guest
Which is the absolute worst of the worst. They treat it like a contiki tour, getting absolutely maggoted whilst parade round the site in their stupid Fanatics merch and flag capes. http://resources2.news.com.au/images/2009/04/21/1225701/403478-slump-in-gallipoli-visitors.jpg
Martin
Guest
If the fanatics want to behave like football fans they should go to a football game. The same goes for the Barmy Army and the cricket
Rocco75
Guest
interesting..... you said: "But they keep quiet during points, they never swear, they never abuse the opposition or complain about the umpiring. There’s never any racism or hate speech, and no hint of violence. I don’t have children, but if I did I’d have no problem with them being around the Fanatics. Not the case for some other supporter groups in other sports." so you wouldn't sit next to the Collingwood supporters then at an AFL game?
Hutchoman
Roar Pro
And there's the rub. The commercial side of these tournaments love such groups. It's an opportunity to sell a block of tickets with little effort and often with a healthy premium.
mds1970
Roar Guru
That's certainly happened. But the Fanatics have never been involved.
ThugbyFan
Guest
Nahhh, RAbbott loves this form of witless nationalism. A wonderful distraction from rotten policies, just shout Terrorism and ask "are you in the team?" At sporting functions which are loud, such as a football match or even cricket, one can accept bogans wrapped in a flag constantly singing out "Ozzie Ozzie Ozzie Oi Oi Oi" and singing "Waltzing Mitilda" by simply ignoring the meatheads. But they are really intrusive in a small ampi-theatre such as a tennis court. The referee should order them to stop while the players are on the court, at worst only allow them to chant and rant while players are seated. If they continue between points, order their removal. It will only take once to shut them up.
Mark
Guest
Its time that the tournament organisers (especially at the Aus Open) stopped reserving blocks of seats in the stands for them. Their time has been and gone.
ThugbyFan
Guest
I have to turn the sound down and miss out on the great commentary (i love John McInroe) because I cringe and rage whenever I hear those boofheads shouting their boring LOUD rubbish between points. God help nearby spectators. The British spectators are pretty wild when a Brit is playing and who can forget the Balmy Army, but these fruitloops are just plain boring and intrusive. The idea of a tour company for sporting fanatics sounds fine, but please dear god, can't you just shove something in their mouths most of the time (Serena William's undies should fit them all).
At work
Roar Rookie
Yes I believe it is the song for the Wallabies, doesn't make it any less cringe worthy. There are so many classic Aussie songs, from many great rock bands to choose from instead
Dean
Guest
Isn't that the unofficial Wallabies song for supporters? Like Swing Low, Sweet Chariot for the Poms.
Dean
Guest
Good Spruce Moose. Wouldn't put it past TA if he thought it would get him votes.
Simoc
Guest
That problem is sorted then.
Dean
Guest
Certain faux ethnicities at the Australian Open had numerous altercations.