This Perth Life

Don't Mention the Cricket

WACA
Originally uploaded by thisperthlife.

I enjoy reading Nick Bryant's blog on the BBC website and agree with much of what he has to say. But one thing I differ on is whether Australia are good losers.

Yes, the papers may have been heralding Freddie Flintoff after the latest test in England but you'd never know it from the local quick news here in Perth. You know, the news that they slot in speedily between programmes.

Last time the Ashes were on I swear that the snippets of news included the fact that Australia had won yet another test. But watching in between Desperate Housewives and Brothers & Sisters on Monday night there was no mention of the score from Lords.

Zip, zilcho, it was as if it didn't exist. But then again did anyone notice that it was like that during the Olympics last Winter? If an Australian was in the medals or near the medals then we were informed but if no Aussie was in the running for a medal it was as if the sport didn't exist.

Come on news channels, give us the whole picture please!!!  

"Aussies" make a major splash on Scarborough Beach

Australia’s fittest surf lifesavers are gearing up for a week of intense competition as the 2008 UBD Australian Surf Life Saving Championships return to Scarborough Beach.

The championships, proudly known as "the Aussies", are the world’s biggest surf carnival with the major competitions on this weekend, 5 & 6 April.

The championships represent the peak of competition for surf lifesavers from Australia’s 305 surf life saving clubs who give up their time to patrol the nation’s beaches.

This year, about 12,000 competitors, officials and spectators will visit Scarborough Beach to witness six days of exhilarating action. Events include surf races, surf ski paddling, board paddling, beach events, including sprints, Ironman and Ironwoman, surfboard riding, rescue and resuscitation and the world-famous surf boat races.

Mad Rottnest Island Swimmers

Rottnest Island
Originally uploaded by thisperthlife.

Yes, they back again this Saturday. Those mad mad people who want to swim between Cottesloe Beach and Rottnest Island are in line for some perfect conditions after last years swim was cancelled at the last minutes because of terrible swells.

The swim which is now in its 18th year, attracts swimmers from around the globe, and has the largest participation for any distance open water swim in the world, bet you didn't know that!

Perth and Fremantle To Host Top Sailing Event

Fremantle Yacht Club
Originally uploaded by fishafotos.

Western Australia will stage the biggest sailing event since Fremantle’s 1987 America’s Cup defence, beating five other countries to host the 2011 ISAF Sailing World Championships.

The two-week competition will be the key qualifying event for the 2012 London Olympic Games and will see up to ten world championships staged simultaneously in Fremantle.

Five other countries bid to win the event, Korea, Russia, Germany, Finland and the Netherlands, but the judges decided that Fremantle was one of the most outstanding sailing venues in the world.

Need a Christmas Gift Idea? Try some Cricket Tickets!

WACA
Originally uploaded by thisperthlife.

The Australian cricket team is coming to the WACA three times during this summer to play New Zealand, India and Sri Lanka.

There's the inaugural KFC Twenty20 International (Australia v New Zealand) to be held at the WACA in December 2007 followed by the third 3 mobile Test Match (Australia v India) in January 2008 and the Commonwealth Bank Series (Australia v Sri Lanka) in February 2008.

You can order tickets by clicking here

Tri Nations Bowls Series

Crown Green Bowling
By ClydeHouse.

Bowls is incredibly popular here in Perth so if you're one of the addicted, check out the 2007 Tri Nations Bowls Series at Mosman Park Bowling Club between 18 to 21 October.

This mixed bowls tournament will see some of the world’s elite male and female competitors from South Africa, Britain and Australia take to the greens, all vying for the coveted team title. For more, go to www.bowlstrinations.com

Western Australia Defends it's Clipper Race Title

CLIPPERS~ALBERT DOCK.
By tommypatto.

The Clipper 07-08 Round the World Yacht Race got under way on September 16 with the westernaustralia 2011.com crew eager to defend its title.

westernaustralia 2011.com is one of 10 internationally-backed 68 foot yachts embarking on a 35,000 mile adventure of a lifetime and will race between 14 ports on five continents before returning to Liverpool on July 5 next year.

Netball Golden Oldies

Netball
Originally uploaded by Pak Siang.

The over 35’s show they’ve still got what it takes on the netball court at the Golden Oldies World Netball Festival, held from 14 to 21 October at Matthews Netball Centre in Wembley.

The festival will attract up to 80 teams from all over Australia, the Asia-Pacific, South Africa and the UK. For more, go to goldenoldiessports.com

Celebrate the Melbourne Cup In Style

Melbourne Cup Horses
By fishgirl7.

Celebrate the Melbourne Cup in style this year at Leeuwin Estate. You can watch the race on plasma screens with fantastic food and great music.

If you're in Perth Leeuwin have arranged special flights to their private airstrip to enjoy Brut and canapes, watch the race and dine on a superb 3 course meal.

To book you need to contact their functions department for details on email or telephone 9759 0000. Tables are limited so you need to book early to avoid disappointment. Prices are $95.00 per person or $900 for a table of 10

Warning Over Rugby World Cup Tickets

A warning has been issued about the dangers of buying tickets from unofficial websites after people have paid for non-existent seats to the Rugby World Cup.

With many matches already sold out the BBC website reports that Cardiff trading standards has said people should only buy tickets from the official World Cup website.

If you are still keen to savour the special atmosphere of the competition but can't get hold of a ticket don't forget that the host towns and cities are staging events throughout the month of the tournament.