This Sunday is ANZAC Day, one of the most important dates in the antipodean calendar. A national holiday in Australia and New Zealand, the 25 April marks the anniversary of the significant contribution that the troops of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps made during the First World War and subsequently in WWII and other military operations. This includes the well-documented campaign at Gallipoli, which began on 25 April 1915.
In Australia and New Zealand each year the day is commemorated with gatherings in towns throughout both countries and shops and hotels remain closed on Anzac Day morning, while in London, a service is held at Westminster Abbey.
Anzac Day is also marked by social gatherings and sporting events such as the Anzac Test - an annual rugby league match between Austalia and New Zealand, this year to be held on 7 May in Melbourne.
Again, in the UK the ANZAC Sports Challenge Shield, won by the Kiwis for the first time last year is being held tomorrow, Saturday, 24 April at Grasshoppers RFC in Isleworth, London. Events being contested are:
6th ANZAC Netball Cup
6th Touch ANZAC Cup
4th Rugby League ANZAC Cup
4th Football ANZAC Cup
3rd Rugby Union ANZAC Cup
Innagural Tag ANZAC Cup
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