My favourite sports in Australia By Bryden Steinhardt

RUGBY LEAGUE Rugby league football is one of the most popular sports in Australia. It was first played in Australia in 1907 in Sydney. The competition features 16 teams from NSW, QLD, VIC, ACT and NZ. I enjoy watching the state of origin a competition between QLD and NSW. The state of origin began in 1980 with the players playing only one game. In 1982 organisers decided to have a two match game with a decider. So far NSW have won 12 series while QLD has won 22. My favourite team is Melbourne Storm and my favourite player is Billy Slater.

OFF-ROAD BUGGY RACING 1971 saw the beginning of off-road racing in Australia, with a Sunraysia 250 desert race in the Mallee Desert, Mildura. Before long this was attracting 150 buggies and three times as many motorcycles. Off-road racing became a recognised form of motorsport. It became the fastest growing motorsport in Australia. Tracks are made of dirt, sand, gravel, mud, rock and river crossings. This sport is now established in every state with dozens of clubs nationwide.

BULL RIDINGRODEO SPORTS Bull riding involves getting on a large bull and attempting to stay mounted, while the animal attempts to buck the rider off. In tradition the rider must stay on for eight seconds, it is often referred to as the most dangerous eight seconds in sport.

SPEED WAY The sport of automobile and motorcycle racing on a small enclosed circular track can be traced back to the 1900’s. But it was in the 1920’s it became popular. There are many classes of cars including sprint cars, super sedans, speed cars, quarter midgets and V 8 dirt modifieds. My Uncle Nathan races in modified sedans and he is currently Australia's No. 2 for the second year in a row.

SUPERCRO SS Supercross is an Americanised version of motorcross. Very much the same but races are run on made tracks in stadium venues. The races are shorter with many more jumps. My favourite riders are Ryan Villopoto and Chad Reed.