What I See with Peter Fiorenza: Why sport is almost like Geraldton’s form of commerce

It’s that time of the year again — finals time for our summer sports here in Geraldton. Now, a lot goes on in this place, but sport is arguably still king. It’s always been said that Geraldton is a sports-made town, but I would go as far to say that is almost our form of commerce. Everything we do — work, school or business — has a sporting connection. It really is a case of who you play for, who you support and what games you attend on the weekend that creates your public persona, almost defining you. I’m not saying for one minute that you have to be involved in sport to get on here, but it pays to know the lie-of-the-land a little in respect to navigating your way around. No doubt, Geraldton has a vibrant art and music scene, yet sport has such a hold here, it tends to just blow me away sometimes. Recently, I attended the local basketball finals at what is considered a fantastic facility for the game in our region. I don’t play, umpire or coach, but do have an interest in proceedings because I know or know of quite a few of the people taking part. In fact, my nephew played in a winning team in the lead-up finals on the Thursday night. I went along with other family members to support him. The centre was packed with hundreds of players and spectators, kids and adults alike, all wanting to get a piece of the action. There were brothers and sisters, mums and dads, daughters and sons, all either playing for, coaching or cheering for their team. Friday evening, the action went into overdrive when the first division finalists in the men’s and women’s competition took to a packed court one at the Eighth Street stadium. Both games were of a very high standard, and, at times, the excitement and enthusiasm almost raised the corrugated iron roof off its hinges. Everyone was cheering for their mate, friend, daughter or son, mum or dad, or even the kid that lives around the corner. The atmosphere was nothing short of electrifying. And the feeling was echoed across town a couple of days later as the Aquarena played host to water polo finals and this will be backed up, again, with the ultimate cricket matches in a few weeks time. I believe sport is not just about physical action. In my opinion, at the end of the day, sport is simply a conduit for positive human mental stimulation. It can sometimes make us laugh, make us cry or give us a feeling of immense excitement. It’s a time when we can all get together and spend some quality social time. It is a vehicle that can make us feel so alive, and it really doesn’t matter if we can catch a ball or not. Peter Fiorenza is a city councillor and hosts Sport Shed Saturday from 9am and Fiorenza on Sunday between 10am and noon on Radio MAMA