5 Affordable Father’s Day Gift Ideas!

Whether it’s for a birthday, Christmas or Father’s Day, buying for the old man is no easy task. While your Dad is probably likely to appreciate any effort you make, nobody is thrilled about getting socks and jocks on their special day.

With Father’s Day just around the corner, we thought we’d give you some suggestions about relatively cheap gifts that will put you in the good books with Dad and - most importantly - bring a smile to his face. It’s time to reward the hard-worker in the family! Our AFL store stocks a huge range of perfect father’s day gifts. Below are some of our favourites if you’re watching your budget. A combination of items can make for a great present!

 

Ballpoint Pen ($5)

A business man can never have too many pens. These official AFL ballpoint pens are available in every team’s colours and are the perfect way for Dad to show his love of the game at the office.

Luggage Tag ($10)

If your father/husband travels a lot for work, an official AFL luggage tag will enable him to take his favourite team wherever he goes! A cute addition to a travel bag that serves a purpose too.

Stubby Holder ($9.95)

There’s nothing like enjoying a cold one while watching the footy. Your Dad will look that part these finals with his team’s colours wrapped around his beer!

Beach Towel ($29.95)

You might not believe, but it’s going to be summer time very soon which means no more footy and more time at the beach! A beach towel is a good way for your Dad or husband to show off his passion and love for the game in the offseason.

Polar Fleece Throw Rug ($34.95)

It’s true that it’s heating up in Melbourne as we approach spring (and summer eventually!), but the footy is still here and we’re headed towards what we think is going to be a fantastic finals series! Get your Dad an official AFL club throw rug and keep the whole family warm next time you’re at the footy.

If you’re really looking to spoil the old man and splash out a little more, there are a host of perfect gift ideas on our website including jumpers, scarves, polos and more! Otherwise, you can come and visit us in store for more affordable gift ideas including coffee mugs, thermal cups, bottle coolers and bar packs.

Here’s hoping you’re able to pick something up for the big fella that he loves!

Get all Your Footy Gear at Spectator Sports Online!

Like most Australians (Victorians especially), we love our AFL at Spectator Sports Online, it truly is a special kind of game. Footy is something that makes the weekends extra exciting and brings out people’s passion. Kids and adults alike take an active interest, and there’s a wonderful social aspect to the great game. Grand Final day is one of Australia’s favourite days, whether you’re attending the match or spending the day with family, friends and a couple of snags on the BBQ.

You might be playing it, watching it or talking about it, but the biggest fans are always the ones that wear it the best. Lucky for you, we’re in the business of helping you look the part, providing a huge range of authentic footy jumpers, clothing and playing equipment at the best prices. Conveniently located in Ringwood right near the Eastlink exit and with an easy-to-use online store that is available to all, Spectator Sports is the team to talk to for all your AFL gear needs.

Huge range

Looking to deck yourself out for the next time you go to the footy? You’ve come to the right place. We like to say that if it’s got an AFL Football team’s logo on it, we sell it. Just check out our website, you’ll find everything from full playing kits and footballs to boxer shorts, lunchboxes and even onesies for kids.

Convenience

If you don’t have time to visit us in-store, you can easily log onto our site and pick out the product you want. Our innovative website is simple and easy-to-navigate, so it’s probably easier to find what you’re looking for than it is in a physical shop! Not only that but we pride ourselves on the competitive nature of our prices, so you can be sure you’re getting the best value for money across our entire range.

Gift Ideas

Everyone finds it difficult to buy for other people at Christmas and birthdays. We take the stress out of it with great gift packs for young and old! We’ve got gear suitable for toddlers, young kids and adults too. What makes a better gift than a football to an Aussie male of any age? If it’s someone that interested in AFL, you’re set; Spectator Sports will do the rest. And with our wide range, you’re going to be spoilt for choice. Keep in mind that the new Costco warehouse is soon to open up just next door to our Ringwood store!

For more information about our products or to check out our enormous range, visit our website today. You’re sure to find just what you’re looking for in your team’s colours!

Player Names Could Be on AFL Jumpers Soon

The Australia Football league is looking closely at the possibility of having players’ names on the back of playes’ football jumpers, the AFL website reports. According to Deputy CEO Gillon McLachlan, the idea is becoming popular and a number of people are pushing for the change.

“There are a number of people that think...that now is the time,’ he said.

Having numbers on the back of AFL jumpers became the norm in 1912, ultimately as a way for fans to identify players with the help of a Footy Record. But the two new teams that have joined the AFL in the past few years has meant that there have been a number of emerging players that fans have taken time to familiarise with.

Kevin Sheedy, coach of the expansion side Greater Western Sydney, is one who has got behind the idea in a big way. He claims that having player names of the back of AFL jumpers will make it easier for borderline fans of the sport to get involved and learn about the players. In Sydney and NSW, football is often plays second fiddle to the more popular Rugby League, and if GWS are going to establish a significant fan base, it’s important that their younger, lesser-known players be easily recognisable.

“I'm in the marketplace of explaining who we are so if people want to get to know Jeremy Cameron, people want to know Coniglio…we've got to try to make superstars in Sydney," he said.

Having player names on the back of jerseys is a part of most professional team sports, including basketball and American football for instance. However, for some sports it is up to the club themselves as to whether player names appear on team jerseys (certain rugby leagues and baseball). It is also customary in certain cricket competitions - including 20/20 - and in Australia’s International Rules series with Ireland.

The potential problem that the AFL have to think about how jumpers are going to accommodate for players with especially long surnames, such as Nathan Lovett-Murray and Lewis Roberts-Thompson. Further, you would think that surnames on players’ jumpers would not be readable to the majority of people in the stands, though it would certainly help when watching the replay on the big screen.

Do player names have a place of AFL jumpers? Will this initiative work? It certainly looks like we could soon find out.

Sport in Australia

Australians are known around the globe for being nuts about sport. While we have a relatively small population compared to other countries, we produce some of the best sportsman and athletes in the world and continually perform well in the Olympic Games and other sporting events. Our attendance numbers for sport are also sky-high. For instance, the average attendance for an AFL game in 2012 is the fourth highest of any sporting event ever. We also host some of the most prestigious events on the sporting calendar including the Australian Open for tennis and Grand Prix in Melbourne.

So what’s the reason for this? Well, for one thing, we put a lot of money into our sporting programs and have institutions in place that look to develop young sportsmen and women. The other reason is that sport is a part of the Australian culture and identity. The media reflects our passion for sport with the anti-siphoning laws, which allow free-to-air channels to cover major sporting events, meaning that the majority of people in Australia are able to view them. The success of sporting programs is not only a testament to the Australian culture of sport, but may also contribute to it.

The AFL is Australia’s national game, and as you’d expect, the nation’s passion for sport is no better illustrated than by its footy fans. And what better way to demonstrate your passion for the sport than to show your team colours next time you watch them play? It’s almost a prerequisite for all footy fans - and fans of any sport really - that they represent their club by getting the right gear.

Spectator Sports Online is your one-stop AFL shop for all the footy gear you’re after. Just jump on this easy-to-use website and pick out the team apparel you want. It is then delivered it to your door, which saves you the trouble of having to go out and buy it from an AFL store. Expect competitive prices and you’re sure to be impressed by the huge range of merchandise.

Everyone knows that die-hard fans will always support their team come rain, hail or shine. Whether it be cheering louder than the opponents’ fans or by looking a million bucks in the freshest gear from an AFL store, Australians know how to get behind a sporting team. It’s a part of our culture for crying out loud! For those colder nights and days, you’ll need to rug up with a scarf, beanie and jacket in your team’s colours. If it’s a little warmer, you can order a cap or an official playing top with any number on the back.

So if you’re looking for AFL, NRL, A-League or Cricket merchandise, Spectator Sports are the people to talk to.