Sport is an important part of Australia that dates back to the early colonial period. Cricket, Australian rules football, rugby league, rugby union, soccer and tennis are among the earliest organised sports in Australia. Cricket is regarded as the national summer sport, with people widely participating from the months of September to April. The three most popular sports in Australia are Cricket, which is the national sport, Australian Football, popular in southern and western states and Rugby League, popular on the east coast. Boxing day test cricket match is the most popular sporting event in summer. Sport has shaped the Australian national identity through events such as the Ashes, the Melbourne Cup and the America's Cup.