A great way to integrate in Australia is through joining sports clubs. It’s definitely considered “normal” to have your kids in some sort of a sports club, be it soccer, rugby, Aussie Rules, hockey, Tee-ball etc. It doesn’t matter if they are not particularly talented – certainly the club my son is involved in its all about participation rather than ability. So, if you are emigrating as a family getting involved in a club is a good step towards “fitting in”. Incidentally, as we were trying to get my son enrolled in the school he wanted to go to, him being a part of a soccer club worked in his favour as the school see that as good evidence of a kid fitting into different environments and getting along with others outside of their normal social circle.

If you are the sporty type yourself then it is a natural “in” for you to join a club and start to meet people and start up a hobby. If you are not you can always volunteer in some way or another as they are always on the lookout for people to assist (even if you just join as a social member). If you turn up to training and games regularly it might be more of a challenge NOT getting involved. I can tell you from experience that if you or your kids join a soccer club and you are male, English and have the use of both legs you WILL be approached to contribute soooner or later! So far – at my son’s club – I have acted as assistant coach, linesman and man-of-the-match selector.

Once you are in this sporty environment there is a very real danger that you may fall victim to the well-known condition known as “Embarassing Dad Syndrome” ! and I speak as an acknowledged sufferer…. The old saying that “the older I get the better I was” has never rung more true and my son has felt compelled to walk away shaking his head on several occasions.

As fate would have it, son plays the same position as I used to do (left-back) and recently he got his own back on me as he got the opportunity to assess my performance when I played in this game at Mandurah City I have to tell you that I don’t think this match report quite captures my stellar performance on the left hand side of defense for “The Stripes” but I will let that pass!

Don’t ask my son though – he thought I was rubbish!

2 people like this post.

Unlike