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Sport West Australian soccer came of age in 2000, when Perth Glory (website: www.perthglory.com.au) made the National Soccer League grand final. They lost to Wooloongong but the game’s popularity had grown so much, 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 (website: www.fremantlefc.com.au) and the West Coast Eagles (website: http://westcoasteagles.com.au). Matches are held at Subiaco Oval, Roberts Road, Subiaco (tel: (08) 9381 2187) 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 Crescent, East Perth (tel: (08) 9265 7222; website: www.waca.com.au). Tickets to AFL and cricket matches are available at the venue on the day or from Ticketmaster (tel: 136 122; website: www.ticketmaster7.com). The West Australian newspaper has match details on Fridays and Saturdays. Fitness Centres: CBD Health Spa, 100 Murray Street (tel: (08) 9221 9900), never closes and has a huge gymnasium, fitness classes, spa, sauna and tanning facilities. Fremantle Leisure Centre, 10 Shuffley Street, Fremantle (tel: (08) 9432 9533), has complete gym facilities as well as swimming pools and a hydrotherapy pool. 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) 9397 9000; website: www.araluencc.com.au), Joondalup Country Club, Country Club Boulevard, Connolly (tel: (08) 9400 8888; website: www.joondalupresort.com.au), and Novotel Vines Resort, Verdelho Drive, The Vines (tel: (08) 9297 0222; website: www.vines.com.au). Fees for an 18-hole game are approximately A$60 Monday to Friday and A$80 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 Tennis Veterans Centre, 176 Fitzgerald Street, North Perth (tel: (08) 9328 8128), and the Leederville Tennis Club, Bourke Street, Leederville (tel: (08) 9481 3773). Courts cost A$11-13.50 per hour, depending on the time of day. Watersports: Watersports 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 Broadway Surf & Sail, 260-262 Railway Parade, West Leederville (tel: (08) 9381 1888; fax: (08) 9381 1866; e-mail: info@surfsailaustralia.com.au; website: www.broadwaysurf.com.au). Jetski enthusiasts can hire them at Coogee Beach Jet Ski Hire, Coogee Beach (tel: (0418) 556 589). Perth was synonymous with sailing even before hosting the America’s Cup in 1987 – Swan River catamarans can be hired from Funcats, Coode Street Jetty, South Perth (tel: (0408) 926 003), and yachts from Fremantle Yacht Charters, 7/8 Mews Road, Fremantle (tel: (08) 9335 3844). Surfing, bodysurfing and scuba diving can be enjoyed all along the Sunset Coast. For information on diving, contact the Perth Diving Academy (tel: (08) 9430 6300) or AQWA Adventures (tel: (08) 9447 7500). |
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