TOPIC:

Given it looks like the Socceroos will struggle to qualify for the World Cup after tonight's result against Japan plus our recent decline in cricket culminating in an inglorious defeat by the Bangas and a subsequent world ranking of 6 in Tests, our rugby union stocks at an all time low, tennis almost an embarrassment with the clowns representing our nation...well males anyway, recent failures at the Olympics.... the question is has our country ever been at a lower point from a sporting perspective? I think we have but would be interested in the reasons. Reduced government funding, wrong people leading the charge, a migration policy diluting participation in what we do best? Who knows but it seems like we've almost become irrelevant on the world sporting stage. Interested in others views.

BC -- great thread

I just three quick points:

1 government spending is important -- consider what the British have spent
2 luck -- in some sports, such as RU, we have very rarely had a good side
3 professionalism is destroying sport. Sports people do not train enough because of sports menicine -- Bradman was good because he used to hit a ball up against a wall for hours.

It's simple, BC - the rest of the world has caught up. Either in presenting the natural ability, or spending big government bucks.

yes they did anchor...particularly our cycling coaches.

Taking away Sydney ,Athens and Melbourne 56.Our Olympic Team is performing historically.Between 5-10 Golds.Soccer only watched highlights but Japan looked a class above.We just don't have enough players making the big overseas competitions.Are Cricket overlooking Talent for elite athletes. So many players struggle outside there home environment.Not sure our batsmen can do what the Windies did V Eng.Bat over 250 overs in a test and grind out a decent score.

Maybe our Aussie cricketers, soccer players, Olympians and tennis players need to take compassionate leave? They're all a bit soft these days instead of being hungry for success.

BC wrote: Given it looks like the Socceroos will struggle to qualify for the World Cup after tonight's result against Japan plus our recent decline in cricket culminating in an inglorious defeat by the Bangas and a subsequent world ranking of 6 in Tests, our rugby union stocks at an all time low, tennis almost an embarrassment with the clowns representing our nation...well males anyway, recent failures at the Olympics.... the question is has our country ever been at a lower point from a sporting perspective? I think we have but would be interested in the reasons. Reduced government funding, wrong people leading the charge, a migration policy diluting participation in what we do best? Who knows but it seems like we've almost become irrelevant on the world sporting stage. Interested in others views.

Montreal 1976.

When have the Socceroos been any good, and regardless of their loss against Japan they wont have any trouble beating a minnow like Thailand and qualify foe the world cup.

As for the Test cricket team not long ago they dominated world cricket for two decades in every format, highly unlikely well ever see that happen in world cricket again those cricketers were once in a life time. I can still see them winning the Ashes in the Australian summer.

As for Rugby Union very hard to compete against the All Blacks when its their number one sport, although the way the ARU are handling things the Wallabys and Australian Rugby are doomed.

As for our Olympians it seems they would rather be out partying, again we have never been a dominant nation at the Olympics .

Lastly Tomic and Kyrigos don't represent Australia or Stosur for that matter they play for themselves, Unless its Davis cup or Federation cup, that's why I couldn't care less what they get up to during tournaments.

Spot on BC
Cannot think of a worst time for Australian Sport.
Socceroos very poor last night , but can still make a WC, but it will be a cameo for mine.
Cricket and Rugby have been in serious decline for a while now here. Youth participation is collapsing in both, the positive for us is that participation for soccer is growing strongly and with the change of ethnic demographics we will see improvement there.
Olympics I think we need to accept that unless massive investment is made we will not dominate Swimming or anything else again.
Tennis is a right off for mine, sad but we only really dominated in a more amateur era.
Positives Matildas are doing well.

Grassy wrote: Yep Swan,barring Cricket and a couple of Tennis players like Newk and Denty,1976 sprung to mind.

But Kyrgios and Tomic are still a Bloody Joke and I wouldn't want them perceived as Reoresentatives of Australia anyway.

Daniel Ricardo would be up there for a World Championship(as Alan Jones predicted Sunday),with a much better car,.......than Max for starters.So broke up to Max retire early in Belgium.

There are three competitions that Kyrgios can represent Australia are: the Davis Cup, Hopman Cup and the Olympics. In ATP Tour events he is not representing Australia.