This story originally appeared here in the June issue of Business Review Australia magazine.
Compiled by Allie Schratz, Editor of Business Review Australia
1] Geelong Football Club
The Geelong Cats’ trophy case is overflowing with success: three premierships in seven AFL Grand Final appearances, a record nine McClelland trophies, and the honour of being the only team in the league to have never finished a season in lower than 12th place. In 2007, their Grand Final win over Port Adelaide ended a 44-year premiership drought and set a Grand Final record with their 119-point margin. The team also boasts the longest running sports sponsorship in the world: Ford Australia has partnered with the Cats since they entered the auto market in 1925 and are signed on until at least 2016.
2] The Hockeyroos
Australia’s national women’s field hockey team is quite decorated: five-time winners of Australia’s Team of the Year award, two World Cups, three Commonwealth Games gold medals and six Champions Trophies are just a few of the team’s honours. They have also earned three gold Olympic medals and unanimously won the title of ‘Best Australian Team’ at the 2000 Sydney Games.
3] Collingwood Football Club
The Collingwood Magpies, nicknamed the AFL’s “team everybody loves to hate,” has played in a record 43 Grand Finals and won 15 titles, the third-most in the league. Their games attract the most fan support of any sport in Australia, setting a league record of 71,516 members during the 2011 season. Their games against Geelong are among the most anticipated of the season.
4] Brisbane Broncos
Founded in 1988, this rugby league football club is considered the most successful in the NRL with four minor premierships and the highest average attendance of any rugby club in the world. They have the league’s highest victory record at 63 per cent and are the only sporting club to be listed on the ASX (as BBL for Brisbane Broncos Ltd).
5] Australian Netball Diamonds
The national women’s team has been crowned World Champions 10 times and has won two gold medals at the Commonwealth Games since the organisation’s first international match in 1938. They are widely considered to be the most successful netball team in the world and their rivalry against New Zealand’s team, the Silver Ferns, is considered the fiercest in the sport.
6] Australian Cricket Team
The four-time World Cup champions are ranked #1 in Test cricket and led the Test rankings for a record-setting 74 months from 2003-2009. Three of their World Cup victories happened consecutively, and a fourth was in sight before Pakistan snapped Australia’s 34-match winning streak in 2011. Along with England, the Australian Cricket Team is the oldest Test team in the sport, and they are widely considered to be the world’s most successful.
7] Australian Swimming
Across the world, Australia is known for its stellar pool athletes. In its Olympic history, nine of the nation’s top 10 medal winners have been swimmers: Ian Thorpe, Dawn Fraser, Leisel Jones, Petria Thomas, Susie O’Neill, Grant Hackett, Murray Rose, Lisbeth Trickett and Michael Klim. In London, these events are expected to help fuel Australia to a top five finish in the medal tally.
8] St. George Illawarra Dragons
Representing both St. George and Illawarra, the Dragons are the only rugby league football club to hold the minor premiership, premiership and World Club Challenge victory titles simultaneously since the Broncos, who achieved the same feat in the early 90s. Under the guide of coach Wayne Bennett, the Dragons became the only NRL team to win two consecutive minor premierships.
9] Wallabies Rugby Union
Australia’s national rugby union team is ranked second in the world, just behind New Zealand’ notorious All Blacks. Their sporting success is evidenced by their 12 Bledisloe Cup wins, two Webb Ellis Trophy honours, and two Rugby World Cup victories.
10] Association of Surfing Professionals
While this isn’t an Australian team, per se, it’s worth noting that Australians make up three of the organisation’s top five men’s 2012 world title rankings (#3, #4 and #5) and the top three spots on the women’s rankings. Torquay Surf Life Saving Club is perhaps the most successful club in terms of competition with 26 gold medals earned at the Australian National Surf Titles.
