Australia sets the example for return of sports fans
Australia is setting the example for British sports stadiums when it comes to getting significant crowds back watching the action. But Manchester, and Britain as a whole, could well have a long wait to enjoy exactly what Aussies are experiencing Down Under.
Australia is setting the example for British sports stadiums when it comes to getting significant crowds back watching the action. But Manchester, and Britain as a whole, could well have a long wait to enjoy exactly what Aussies are experiencing Down Under.
While small numbers of crowds have been permitted to head back into Premier League grounds at clubs not in Tier 3 areas in England, as well as horse racing tracks, the numbers are still minute when you consider Old Trafford and the Etihad Stadium pull in more than 50,000 when full.
It seems likely to be a long time off before stadiums are packed to the rafters again. But Australia, parts at least, are already there. Australian horse racing tracks like Randwick and Rosehill Racecourses in Sydney and Flemington and Caulfield Racecourses in Melbourne are being run with the type of crowds that the likes of Cheltenham and Aintree would love.
And sporting venues have had even bigger crowds. A total of 30,000 got to view the AFL Grand Final in Brisbane in October, while 37,303 packed into ANZ Stadium in Sydney the following day for the NRL Grand Final.
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The Bledisloe Cup rugby union clash between New Zealand and Australia at Eden Park in Auckland attracted 46,049 spectators in October as the flow of fans back into stadia also extended to across the Tasman Sea too.
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In November, it was a massive crowd of 52,500 that lined Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane for the State of Origin decider between hosts Queensland and rivals New South Wales. Significantly, the partisan home crowd helped their state to victory.
Then in early December, 48,000 packed into the Sydney Cricket Ground for the third and final T20 international between Australia and India.
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New South Wales premier Gladys Berejiklian and her government permitted 50 per cent capacity, followed by 100 per cent – the 48,000 crowd – with the promise that “life will be very different in New South Wales”. It’s something we can still only dream about.
A further 27,000 a day will be inside the Adelaide Oval for the first test between the two nations too – with the South Australian government still opting for 50 per cent capacity. It will see 25,000 a day inside the MCG in Melbourne for the Boxing Day test with the Victorian government opting not to throw caution to the wind after months of lockdown.
How did Australia get to the point of having full, or near full, stadiums once again? The answer – just as is the case here in the UK – is based on the coronavirus cases. With each of the states reacting incredibly early with lockdowns and severe restrictions on the back of just a handful of outbreaks, they managed to get on top of the outbreak and stay on top of it.
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Michael Lee / Unsplash
So what can football clubs, race tracks and the like expect here in Britain to be able to do to follow the Australian example? The simple answer is not a lot until we, as a country, get on top of the outbreak numbers.
Strict quarantine rules on international arrivals and travellers between states in Australia has meant a zero new case count on all fronts. The 0 led to 50,000+ sitting inside of stadium for the first time since pre-March.
While the rules in the UK have been relaxed to let small crowds back, other than those in Tier 3 areas, capacity crowds still look some way off. Perhaps even next year, given just how different the positive case numbers differ between Australia and the entire British Isles.
Premier League fixtures, the Cheltenham Festival, Grand National, even the delayed Euro 2020 look highly likely of taking place with half-empty stadia at best. Until the rest of the world matches Australia’s success in suppressing coronavirus, the roar of a full stadium still looks an awful long way off.
Sport
Nathan Aspinall urges PDPA to improve mental health support within the sport
Danny Jones
Local sports personality Nathan Aspinall has urged the Professional Darts Players Association (PDPA) to provide better mental health support moving forward.
It’s not the first time ‘The Asp’ has called for more awareness and provision when it comes to player welfare and mental wellbeing, specifically, which remains a prevailing societal problem in general.
The Greater Manchester native has opened up about his own struggles many times in the past and has made a public plea for the PDPA to intervene and offer more help.
Speaking at the 2026 PDC World Darts Championships after his opening round victory, the 34-year-old instead chose to focus on more important issues than his strong start.
As you can see, Aspinall began by stating that “the PDPA now need to step in and help these guys because there’s a lot of guys suffering.”
Having long been an champion for male mental health, in particular – supporting the local Healthy Minds practices in his hometown of Stockport, for instance – he’s been one of the outspoken player on the subject for some time.
Noting that there are at least “two or three people” he refused to name, his message was simple: “There’s a lot of fantastic dart players in our sport, but it’ll be a shame to see so many of them go because of mental health”
The 2019 UK Open and 2023 World Matchplay winner has battled with multiple obstacles, including an ocular condition known as bilateral traumatic Brown’s syndrome, as well bursitis, which causes inflammation around key joints.
But it’s not necessarly injuries and the physical side of things that have been his biggest concern.
𝗛𝗢𝗡𝗘𝗦𝗧 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝗔𝘀𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗻𝘀 𝗨𝗽 𝗼𝗻 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗱𝘀𝗲𝘁
"I really do not care anymore.
"I do everything I can to be a good sportsman and you still get s**t. So you know what? I don't care. Say what you want." pic.twitter.com/mCBjQ6kvyj
One of the biggest and most recurring challenges for him has been ‘dartitis’, which many players within the discipline wrestle with the more their careers progress.
Aspinall has confessed to suffering almost chronic panic attacks due to the mental blocks (also commonly known as ‘the yips’) brought about by the intense pressure of playing on stage/live on TV.
With that in mind, it’s great to see him not only back on form and pulling impressive performance such as his ‘big fish’ finish on Friday night, but continuing to draw more attention to the underlying mental health crisis, especially among men. Well played, Nath.
You can watch his post-match interview in full down below.
Featured Images — Sandro Halank (via Wikimedia Commons)/Live Darts (screenshot via YouTube)
Sport
Be part of the biggest Great Manchester Run ever
Danny Jones
Runners and regular Mancs alike, start lacing up your trainers and sorting safety pins early, because the Great Manchester Run is back for 2026, and you can be part of it.
With sign-ups flying and bibs selling out fast, we really recommend getting a move on and booking your place now to make sure you’re part of what is, without fail, not just one of the most exciting dates on the local sporting calendar, but always a great day for the city in general.
Returning for its 23rd edition and fourth year being backed by principal sponsors, AJ Bell, we can assure it’ll be as well-attended as ever.
In fact, judging by the numbers already and the increasing crowds of spectators every year, this is looking on course to be the biggest Great Manchester Run to date.
The only question is, are you going to help make it the BEST yet by joining the thousands of others already finding the perfect spot to hang their shiny new medal?
Half-marathon, 10k, junior and mini races
As ever, the Great MCR Run isn’t just limited to one event: there are multiple distances, routes and age groups that can race the route in and around the city centre.
Whether you’re a seasoned runner looking to get in a PB, looking to box off your first half, love a 10, or you’re a youngster looking to get in on the action and soak up some of that glory on the day
So, whether you’re a seasoned runner looking to get in a PB, looking to box off your first half, love a 10, or you’re a youngster looking to get in on the action and soak up some of that glory on the day, there really is fun for all ages.
In all seriousness, even watching the massive metropolitan event stood next to the roads with homemade signs promises plenty of atmosphere, but with fancy dress galore, various different activations in the middle of the city, there’s not a chance you’ll get bored.
Even in the years we’ve missed out on running it ourselves (it sold well in advance last year, for instance), the pure buzz we got from joining countless other Mancs cheering from the pavement is enough to keep us coming back time and time again.
All that being said, if you’re looking to sort the perfect Christmas present for a runner, or simply need more reason to give yourself the kick up the backside you’ve been waiting for and just put your name down, this is it.
Besides the full annual marathon in April, running events simply don’t get bigger in this region than this one, so don’t miss out.
Sign up for the 2026 Great Manchester Run right HERE.
The Manc -
21st December 2020 
