There’s another blockbuster year of sport ahead of us in 2023 with a number of world cup events rescheduled after a pause thanks to COVID-19. Australia and sport often go hand in hand so check out the list below of exciting events happening around the world and which Australian teams you can support! Like us, you’re probably counting down the days until you can see your favourite athletes get their game faces on so you can follow the action at home.
We know our student athletes are often inspired by elite players, so check out our list below to see which events you should tune in to! There’s so much to learn from watching world-class players beyond just their impressive sporting techniques – displays of sportsmanship and teamwork from top athletes are also so important.
Basketball
FIBA Basketball World Cup
The FIBA Basketball World Cup is held from August 25th to September 10th with 32 teams gracing the courts of the Philippines, Japan and Indonesia. Although it was founded in 1950, this is the first time Indonesia is hosting the final and also the first time in FIBA Basketball World Cup history that a host nation hasn’t qualified.
The Australian men’s basketball team currently sits third on the FIBA World Rankings and qualified after beating Kazakhstan 97-50! The ones to beat are Spain who defeated Argentina in the 2019 tournament. This event will serve as a qualifier for the 2024 Summer Olympics so make sure to catch all the action Foxtel and Kayo Sports.
If you want to learn a few things from a great Australian coach, check out what basketball coach Sandy Brondello has to say about expecting the unexpected and continuing to learn.
Cricket
2023 ICC Cricket World Cup
The ICC Cricket World Cup will be held from October 12 to November 26 in India, the first time the country has solely hosted. The first event was held in 1975 and it’s since grown to become the biggest cricket tournament in the world with 10 teams competing every four years in a total of 48 matches.Australia lives in the sports hall of fame for being the most successful team in the history of the Cricket World Cup after winning the tournament a record five times. Now this could be the sport Australia is best at! The current champions are England who defeated New Zealand in the 2019 Cricket World Cup. Who will win the World Cup in 2023?
If your child is interested in playing cricket this year, check out our blog on talent pathways with Queensland Cricket to learn more about how they encourage cricket at school and how parents can become involved in the organisation through volunteering, coaching or umpiring.
Football
2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup
From cricket grounds to football fields, the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup will be played from July 20th to August 20th. The FIFA Women’s World Cup started as a 12 team tournament in 1991 but has grown to 32 nations competing with the world’s best female footballers every four years.
The tournament is being jointly hosted for the first ever in Australia and New Zealand which means you can be part of the action here on home soil! The first match will be played in Sydney’s largest stadium, ANZ Stadium, but some events will also be held at the Brisbane Stadium which includes an Australian, England and Brazilian match. Click here to check out what upcoming games will be played at the Brisbane Stadium.
Australia is currently ranked third in the world with the United States being the one to beat. We’re right behind the FIFA organisation as their mission is to organise the biggest and best women’s world cup in history!
Netball
Netball World Cup
The Netball World Cup will be held in South Africa from July 28th to August 6th, at the FIFA Women’s World Cup! This is the pinnacle of international competitive netball, held every four years with 16 teams going head to head. Australia is currently number one in the world’s netball rankings after the Australian Diamonds have won 11 World Cup titles, but New Zealand won the last tournament in 2019 so the competition will be intense. If you want to find out about more Australian Netball events, read more about the domestic season here.
Across the board, girls generally have fewer sporting opportunities than boys and some girls willingly disengage with sports when their teen years set in. Here’s how you can inspire the next generation of female athletes and a few positive female role models your children can turn to.
Rugby
Rugby World Cup
If you’re a mad rugby fan, you’ll be waiting for coverage of the Rugby World Cup in France from September 8th to October 28th. The competition takes place every four years with South Africa taking the cup home last time after defeating England in the 2019 final.
The Wallabies are currently ranked 6th in the world and will be seeking their first rugby world cup title since 1999! They’ll be sending over a 44-man squad made up of 13 Brumbies, 13 Waratahs, 7 Reds, 6 Rebels and 3 Force players.
Check out the fixtures for the Australian Wallabies in the Rugby World Cup then lace up your cleats because you’ll be able to catch all the action on channel Nine.
Tennis
Wimbledon
The Wimbledon tournament will take place from July 3rd to July 16th with men’s singles winner Novak Djokovic and ladies’ singles winner Elena Rybakina the ones to beat!
Wimbledon is the most prestigious and oldest tennis tournament in the world, founded in 1877 with a strict all-white dress code for competitors and royal patronage. It’s played on outdoor grass courts with retractable roofs and is one of the four Grand Slam tennis tournaments alongside the Australian Open, French Open and US Open.
If you love Slazenger then you’ll be interested to know that they’ve been supplying the balls since 1902 and it’s now the world’s longest-running sporting sponsorship!
We can’t wait to see who you will be cheering for, what team you’ll support and what moments will inspire your own sporting achievements this year in school sports.