The lively atmosphere of British football matches, characterized by communal chanting and singing, has become a global phenomenon, especially since the advent of the Premier League in 1992. However, this tradition hasn’t quite made its way to Australian sports arenas. Instead, Australia has developed its own unique style of spectator participation known as “barracking.”
Unlike the British chanting tradition, barracking emerged in the late 19th century as a reflection of Australia’s evolving national identity. It was a conscious departure from British norms of deference and formality, coinciding with the rise of Australian rules football in Melbourne. This sport became a symbol of the emerging Australian identity, distinct from European cultural ties.
The Origins of Barracking
In early colonial Australia, sports were seen as gentlemanly pursuits, with spectators expected to maintain decorum similar to British standards. However, as Australian rules football gained popularity among the working class, the genteel spectator category began to erode. This shift gave rise to the “barracker,” a more outspoken and boisterous supporter.
Barracking was not unique to Australia; similar behaviors emerged in other Anglophone countries. However, Australians were the only ones to coin a specific term for it. Initially, “barracking” had a negative connotation, describing loud and opinionated fans who often hurled partisan insults at opponents and even umpires.
“It was already too passionate, and passionate in a way that was really scary,” says Matthew Klugman, a researcher at Victoria University.
Over time, barracking became a source of national pride, symbolizing assertive independence from Britain. By the late 19th century, it had spread to other sports, most notably cricket, where the slower pace allowed for more vocal expressions.
Yabba and the Larrikin Spirit
The quintessential Australian barracker is immortalized in a bronze statue at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Stephen Harold Gascoigne, known as “Yabba,” was famous for his clever taunts, which captured the larrikin spirit that defined Australian sports crowds.
Yabba’s style highlighted a cultural preference for cutting down earnestness rather than amplifying it. By the 1960s, when football chanting became popular in Britain, Australian sports culture was firmly rooted in barracking, making spontaneous communal singing unlikely.
Historical and Cultural Influences
Writer and historian Les Street attributes the difference to historical circumstances. Britain’s pub culture fostered singing as part of male camaraderie, while Australia’s early 20th-century “six o’clock swill” encouraged quick drinking over bonding.
“In Australia, it was more about getting pissed … so these cultural elements couldn’t develop over time,” Street says.
Moreover, soccer, the sport most associated with chanting, was marginalized in Australia, seen as a game for “sheilas, wogs and poofters,” according to legendary Socceroo Johnny Warren. This perception limited the adoption of British-style singing in Australian sports.
Music in Australian Sports
While communal singing is rare, music does have a place in Australian sports. AFL clubs have adopted songs, and certain teams have their own anthems, like Port Adelaide’s use of INXS’s “Never Tear Us Apart.”
There are also “goal songs” in the AFL, where fans sing along to tracks played after goals. Brisbane Lions’ Charlie Cameron’s use of John Denver’s “Take Me Home, Country Roads” has become a fan favorite.
Despite these examples, spontaneous singing remains uncommon. Australian sports crowds prefer repetitive chants, like the widely used “Aussie Aussie Aussie! Oi! Oi! Oi!” which is a direct adaptation of the British “Oggy Oggy Oggy! Oi! Oi! Oi!”
Efforts to Change
The most significant efforts to introduce singing have occurred in Australian soccer. Grant Muir, a member of Sydney FC’s supporter group The Cove, has spent years trying to encourage singing among fans.
“Not every chant is a banger. Sometimes you think you’ve got the best chant ever, and everybody just kind of turns around and looks at you,” Muir says.
The Red and Black Bloc, supporting the Western Sydney Wanderers, has been more successful. Their chants, influenced by European and South American styles, have become iconic.
The Future of Singing in Australian Sports
Despite these efforts, cultural and structural factors continue to hinder widespread adoption of singing in Australian sports. Muir notes that Australian stadiums, often large and open, are not conducive to creating an intimate atmosphere for singing.
While it’s unlikely that Australian sports crowds will ever fully embrace singing like their British counterparts, this difference is not necessarily negative. Australia’s unique sports culture, characterized by passionate and knowledgeable fans, remains vibrant and engaging.
“It’s in the genealogy of British sports fans to sing at sporting events,” says Emmerson. “I don’t know how Australia starts that. I don’t know where the creativity comes from.”
Ultimately, Australia’s distinct approach to sports fandom reflects its broader cultural identity. While singing may not be a staple, the country’s sports culture continues to thrive on its own terms.
