Not many countries place such a strong emphasis on sports like Australia does, a passion evident by the activities of the National Sports Museum. Located inside the Melbourne Cricket Ground more popularly known as the MCG, the National Sports Museum not only encourages cricket but also football, tennis, rugger, basketball, netball, boxing and many others.
Honouring all these sports, the museum exhibits that moment in time when the crowds cheered and the winners stood tall, exhilarated by the feat they just performed and celebrating that moment. With over 3500 displays, the museum is a tribute to the Australian sportsmen and sportswomen. Before the National Sports Museum was opened, the Australian Gallery of Sport and Olympic Museum performed this task for 17 years.
The section ‘faster, higher, stronger’ is dedicated exclusively to the Olympics and showcases the passing of the Olympic torch. It also has Olympic medals won by athletes such as Catherine Freeman, Petria Thomas and Edwin Flack. ‘The People’s ground’ brings to life the history of MCG, including its role as home for countless Australian and United States soldiers during the dark times of World War II.
The Sport Australia Hall of Fame includes legends of sports, 120 original members were inducted to the SAHOF in 1985 with Sir Donald Bradman being the first. ‘Backyard to Baggy Green’ is all cricket. This section has the Cricketing Hall of Fame and alongside the Baggy Green caps worn by Australians throughout history in the Baggy Green Room. There is also the Waterford Crystal Ashes Trophy.
If you’ve had enough seeing and want some doing then the ‘Game On’ section is the right place to be. Enter it through part of the original running track from the 2006 Commonwealth Games and try your hand and countless sports in this interactive area. The MCG tour and NSM package is $30 for adults and $10 for children, kids under 5 are allowed inside free of charge.
If you want to spend time here for longer then why not stay at any Melbourne serviced apartment. With access to restaurants, shopping arcades, theatres and business areas alike is the Citadines on Bourke Melbourne. It is a very popular serviced apartment Melbourne has in store for its visitors.
Umanga Kahandawaarachchi is a passionate travel writer who writes under the pen name, Maggie Tulliver. Her field of writing covers a wide array of content and articles related to travel and hospitality industry. Google+