We’re spoilt for quality sport in Perth, and sometimes it feels like Perth people talk about nothing else! Here’s a five minute guide to professional sports teams in Perth (just enough to get you through a BBQ with your host family!)….
Cricket
There’s no sport bigger in Australian than cricket (and probably no sport that’s harder to understand!). The Perth Scorchers are a professional cricket team that competes in the Big Bash League (BBL). They have won the BBL championship three times and are known for their strong batting lineup and aggressive play.
Australian Rules Football
Perth is mad for its Australian Rules Football (AFL), and it has two teams in the nationwide competition:
The West Coast Eagles are a professional Australian rules football team that competes in the Australian Football League (AFL). They have won the AFL premiership four times, most recently in 2018, and are known for their strong defense and physical play.
The Fremantle Dockers are a professional Australian rules football team that competes in the Australian Football League (AFL). They have yet to win the AFL premiership, but have made it to the Grand Final once, in 2013.
Rugby
Perth is not regarded as a ‘rugby state’ (unlike New South Wales and Queensland), and most people in Western Australia would prefer to play Aussie Rules Football. For those who love their rugby, though, the passion runs deep! The Western Force are a professional rugby union team that competes in the Super Rugby Trans-Tasman competition. They were one of the founding members of the Super Rugby competition and have a passionate fan base in Perth.
Basketball
The Perth Wildcats are a professional basketball team that competes in the National Basketball League (NBL). They are one of the most successful teams in the league, having won the championship 10 times, including four in a row from 2017 to 2020.
The Perth Redbacks are a professional women’s basketball team that competes in the Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL). They have yet to win the WNBL championship, but are known for their strong defense and team play.
Football
Football (still soccer to many people) is rapidly growing in popularity in Australia, and Perth is no exception. Perth Glory is a professional soccer team that competes in the A-League. They have a passionate fan base and have won the A-League premiership twice, in 2002 and 2019.
Baseball
Baseball has always been a very distant second to cricket among summer sports, and most Australians would only be vaguely aware of the rules of the game. The Perth Heat are a professional baseball team that competes in the Australian Baseball League (ABL). They have won the championship four times and are known for their high-scoring games and powerful hitters.
It’s great to learn a little about professional sports teams in Perth to discuss with your host family, teachers or just strangers over a beer! Nothing is a better ice breaker in Australia than a chat about the weekend’s games, so why not take a few minutes to learn more about sports in Perth?
