Why LGBT sport? The example of a water polo player

From a Lodon Orca's player via the club's blog, a message that helps explain one aspect of the desire for LGBT athletes to compete in gay-friendly clubs and events:

As I'm heading temporarily back to Australia to sort out the renewal of my visa, I've been reflecting on my time with London Orca and Out To Swim.

It was nearly 18 months ago that I made the decision to give water polo with London Orca a try. One of my friends had been playing for a while and I was looking for a new challenge and a bit of extra fitness. Any regrets? That I didn't do it sooner!

As one of the few left-handers in the team, my water polo skills developed quite quickly and by regularly hitting the Out To Swim swimming sessions my swim-fitness developed nicely too. Being part of the gold-medal winning team at the Gay Games in Cologne was fantastic, but really every tournament that we've played has been a lot of fun and it's been great to see the overall standard of our water polo improve each time.

The local games in the London League have often felt like hard work - long trips out into the suburbs to play experienced teams that play a physical game, but we're definitely matching it with them now.

It's the social aspect of London Orca and Out To Swim that I'll miss the most while I'm away - from a few quiet drinks after training, to the annual Christmas party, to big nights out on the town, to be part of such a fantastic and diverse network of people has really helped me enjoy my time in London immensely.

See you all soon!
Sads.