Australian sport is not just a past time in this country, it is a religion. People of sport are made legends and part of everyday life and discussions for centuries. You don't even have to be the best in the field, just have given the best fair go at the arena. Sport is everywhere and doesn't matter the genre it is all beloved territory.

Whether it is cricket, racing, boxing, lacrosse, rugby, swimming, golf, horses, cycling, sailing, rowing, etc. they are all held in high standing. There is a TAB in every town to place your bets and every pub has a TV roaring the sport. It is bartered and displayed in every town with arenas being filled with loyal fans.

My first exposure was Rugby. It is so beloved there are three different fields of the sport: Rugby league, Aussie Rules and Rugby Union. There are legends such as Mal Meninga and Wally Lewis gracing the walls of my home and watched intently when they grace the presence of the fields. Others such as Graeme Langlands, Leigh Mathews, Dick Thornett, Reg Gasneir and more than can be mentioned have taken the sport to the hearts of every Aussie.

Racing is always overshadowed by the mention of Peter Brock. Everywhere you will see car windows graced with memorials, homes are filled with his memorabilia and his records are high prized. He dominated the sport for over three decades with nine victories at Bathurst and won more races than anyone since the beginning of the sport. In 2006 while only a few kilometres from the race finish he skidded off the road and was killed instantly. He was given a state funeral and remembered in every breath of the sport.

Of course you cannot mention Australian sport without the name of Sir Donald Bradman being brought up. The Don is so important to this nation that there was even a large debate about his name being a question on the citizenship test for the country. He is hailed as the greatest batsman who ever lived or played the game of cricket. It was not only his play that won the people's affection, but his reputation for contribution to the sport as an administrator, selector and statesman. He may have had his last tour in 1948, but his legend lives on with the country.