Sydney University Football Club supports Sydney Convicts rugby

Sydney Convicts rugby club reports on their partnership with the Sydney University Footbal Club:

Sydney University Football Club (SUFC), the Birthplace of Australian rugby which continues to breed many star Super Rugby and Wallaby greats, is teaming up with the Sydney Convicts, to once more help promote the message of diversity in sport and the community.

“Diversity in life, and sport, is a human right and I am proud that Sydney University Football Club is continuing to work with the Sydney Convicts to ensure this message is being received by everyone in the community,” said Tom Carter, SUFC player and NSW Waratah.

For the second year running, we’ll be playing an exhibition rugby 10’s game at the historic No. 1 Oval at Sydney University against The Students (SUFC) on Saturday 28th April, part of SUFC’s Diversity Day celebrations. The game is designed to spread the word about tolerance of diversity in sport and life and help with the fight against homophobia in the community.

SUFC is the first Premier Rugby Club anywhere in the world to become actively involved in such a cause and The Convicts will be fighting hard for the “Diversity Shield”, following a 24-5 loss to The Students in the inaugural match last year.

“The Sydney University Football Club is very pleased to be working with the Sydney Convicts for our Diversity Day. The partnership of these two well-known clubs is a fantastic thing for rugby union in Australia,” said President of SUFC, David Mortimer AO. “SUFC continues to be very proud to be associated with this initiative and helping to spread the word about diversity, not only in sport, but in everyday life.”

“It’s brilliant that Sydney Uni continues to put on a day especially designed to tackle homophobia in the community. It once again proves that rugby union is leading the way in supporting diversity in sport,” said David Whittaker, President of the Sydney Convicts. “We hope that rugby players at all levels will feel comfortable being themselves and will ultimately be able to enjoy the game without even thinking about their sexuality. The great leadership being shown by SUFC certainly helps us achieve this goal.” said David.

“You can be sure that the Sydney Uni boys will not be taking it easy on the Convicts when we play a match on Diversity Day”, said Sydney University Club Captain, James Swan. “Whether rucking or mauling, we will be in it to win and the Convicts are up for some tough competition from The Students!”

2012 is a big year for the Sydney Convicts. In late May, the team will be flying out to Manchester, England to compete in the 6th Bingham Cup, the World Cup of Gay Rugby.

Sydney Wett Ones coach named New South Wales Coach of the Year

Congratulations to Danny Crowe, coach of the Sydney Wett Ones swim club, a member of FGG member organizations Team Sydney and IGLA, who has been named 2011 Coach of the Year by New South Wales Masters Swimming!

Watch a great video of the 2012 Sydney Frontrunners Little Black Dress Run

Thanks to Prue Dudley for this fun video of this year's Little Black Dress run from Sydney FrontRunners.

On athletes' partners...

Wally Salinger of Team Sydney's Freezone volleyball club has written a charming message about and to the partners of club members:

Scattered around the gym are little comfortable havens. Places where the gay versions of “The Ugly Parent” sit

Not to be outdone by their hetero role models, these partners, children or still-here-after-last-night don’t provide sporting commentary. Rather they discuss the more pressing issues relating to the people on the court.

Organisers and referees cop flak, as do those who take themselves and their sport just a little too seriously.

[...]

Today’s column is dedicated to the partners who support players across this country. Without you, many athletes would not be playing their sport, feeling it was taking away from their relationship rather than an essential part of it.

Build a stronger relationship — support your partner’s sporting efforts at one of the member clubs.

Read in full HERE.

Athletes at Sydney Mardi Gras Fair Day are coming to Cleveland+Akron!

Thanks to Paul White and Kate Rowe for this video taken at this year's Sydney Mardi Gras fair day in Victoria Park!

First photos from Sydney Mardi Gras Fair Day

Fair Day was yesterday. Here's some photos of some of the sports booths.

10 February 2012 / Team Sydney Mardi Gras Sports Festival

Presented by Team Sydney , this annual event is back and bigger than ever! Showcasing sports tournaments, competitions and social days, there is sure to be something for everyone - athlete or not! Visit the Team Sydney Mardi Gras page HERE for details on all events!

The Sports Festival 2012 contains a diverse range of sporting and fitness focused events for all entry levels.

Amazon's Women Tennis - Sydney Women's Amazon Tennis Club is hosting their 3rd Annual Mega Social Tennis Hit. All ages and abilities welcome!
Australian Sailing and Cruising Club Annual Regatta - a 5-race sailing series held on one day on Sydney Harbour (Rushcutter's Bay).
Bears Sports Day and Picnic - test your prowess against bear and cub competitors!
Bentstix Pink Hockey Championship - a fun and competitive round-robin hockey tournament for men and women.
Different Strokes Dragon Boat Racing - Social Paddle/BBQ - find out about Australia's fastest growing sport with this fun social paddle.
Freezone Introducing Volleyball Day - a safe and friendly introductory volleyball session.
Freezone Volleyball Mardi Gras Tournament - top volleyball competition with a focus on fun and participation.
GLMA Self Defence Workshop - this free event is for untrained GLBTI community and local residents to build their safety confidence and awareness
Same-Sex Salsa Workshop - have fun, make new friends and get fit at this workshop that will teach you some simple but sexy dance floor moves!
G-Squash Mardi Gras Tournament - an outstanding day of competition with a round-robin squash tournament
Harbour City Wrestling - Mardi Gras Wrestling Tournament - held a week before the Parade, this wrestling tournament is open to spectactors and participants
Southern Cross Outdoor Group Burning Palms - a beautiful day walk through Sydney's palm forests and along beaches.
Little Black Dress Run - a hilariously fun 4km fun run! Frock up and prance around the park while raising money for charity
Mardi Gras Fun Run - join Sydney Frontrunners for a 5km walk/run around Centennial Park
Sydney Rams Tenpin Bowling Tournament - a fun night of social and competitive ten pin bowling.
Sydney Rangers Five-a-Side Football Tournament - the only gay football tournament of its kind in Australia!
Sydney Spectres 3-on-3 Basketball Competition - provides all members of the community an opportunity to partake in an organised basketball competition
Sydney Spokes Find Love on 2 Wheels - join Sydney Spokes for three Festival bike rides.
Sydney Swingers Golf Tournament - an annual competition for the golf enthusiasts
Team Sydney Annual Tug of War - who will dig their heels in at the annual Tug of War at Mardi Gras Fair Day?
Tennis Sydney's Mardi Gras Championships - a grand slam event, this is the biggest gay and lesbian tennis tournament in the Southern Hemisphere!
Unbiased Bowling Do It on the Grass - a series of 3, 6 end games of lawn bowls for players of all levels.

Team Sydney Mardi Gras fair day the highlight of the festival's sports programming

In addition to the presence of Team Sydney clubs at the Fair Day on 12 February, the following events are scheduled for "sports at the Sydney Mardi Gras":



AMAZON WOMAN'S TENNIS - MEGA SOCIAL HIT
26 Feb Sport
AUSTRALIAN SAILING & CRUISING CLUB - ANNUAL REGATTA
11 Feb Sport
BENTSTIX - PINK HOCKEY CHAMPIONSHIPS
2 Mar Sport
FREEZONE - INTRODUCING VOLLEYBALL DAY
20 Feb Sport
GLMA - SELF DEFENCE FREE WORKSHOP
11 Feb Sport
GLMA - SAME SEX SALSA WORKSHOP
15 Feb Sport
G-SQUASH - MARDI GRAS TOURNAMENT
25 Feb Sport
SOUTHERN CROSS OUTDOOR GROUP - BURNING PALMS
1 Mar Sport
SYDNEY FRONTRUNNERS - MARDI GRAS FUN RUN
3 Mar Sport
SYDNEY RAMS - TENPIN BOWLING MARDI GRAS TOURNAMENT
27 Feb Sport
SYDNEY RANGERS - 2012 MARDI GRAS FIVE-A-SIDE FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT
25 Feb Sport
SYDNEY SPOKES - FIND LOVE ON 2 WHEELS
12, 19, 26 Feb Sport
SYDNEY SWINGERS - GOLF TOURNAMENT
19 Feb Sport
TEAM SYDNEY - ANNUAL TUG OF WAR
12 Feb Sport
TENNIS SYDNEY'S MARDI GRAS CHAMPIONSHIPS
17–19 Feb Sport
UNBIASED BOWLING - DO IT ON THE GRASS
19 Feb Sport
BEARS SPORTS DAY AND PICNIC
2 Mar Sport

19 November 2011 / Sydney Wett Ones celebrate their 20th anniversary

From the Gay News Network:

This Saturday night, members of Sydney’s LGBT Masters swim squad, Wett Ones Swimming Club, a member of FGG member organization Team Sydney, will be celebrating the 20th anniversary of their club in style with a grand function at Surry Hill’s White Horse Hotel.

From humble beginnings, the Wett Ones have grown into one of the largest GLBT sporting clubs in Sydney and one of the largest Masters swimming squads in NSW.

In recent years, the club has averaged about 85 members ranging from people in their 20s to people in their 60s, while members of Wett Ones were competed at the Asia Pacific Outgames in Wellington earlier this year.

Wett Ones President, Ryan Bennett, told SX that the diversity of its members was a key factor to the long-running success of the club.

“Our members have various reasons for being part of the Wett Ones, including fun, fitness, as a challenge to themselves to become better swimmers and to compete in local Masters competitions and/or regional and international GLBT swim competitions such as the Outgames and Gay Games,” Bennett said.

“A special aspect of our club is that we manage to offer something to such a diversity of swimmers.”

The club regularly train at Sydney University Sports & Aquatic Centre on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays for an hour from 6.30pm and on Sundays from 3.30pm-5pm.

Over the warmer months, from October to April, the club also trains on Saturday mornings at the Andrew (Boy) Charlton Pool in the Domain from 10am.

Saturday night’s 20th anniversary function will see guests treated to some fine drinks and canapés as well as some special entertainment, including DJ Annabelle Gaspar, who will be behind the decks for an evening that is expected to be swimming.

9 October 2011 / Team Sydney Sports Day Out

Where: In the grounds of Sydney Boys High School and across Cleveland Street in Steele Park
From: Sunday 9 Octobre, 11am to 4:30pm
Price: FREE
Funding: ACON’s grants programme for 2011
Sponsor: Sydney Gay & Lesbian Business Association (SGLBA)

Australian Sailing & Cruising Club
Dance Dance and Hot to Foxtrot Dancing
Freezone Volleyball
GLMA Martial Arts
Sydney Convicts Rugby
Tennis Sydney
Unbiased Bowling
Roller Derby will stage a demonstration of their sport

To add your club as a participant, or for any other information/opportunities, contact Dean Matterson at
TS-Sports.Day.Out@teamsydney.org.au

We hope to also have on board:
Soccer, Wrestling, Softball, Aerobics and Pilates, Petanque (Bocce), Cycling, Basketball, Netball, Table Tennis, Tug-of-War challenge during the lunch break

We are hoping for exhibits by:
Golf, Swimming, Water Polo, SCUBA Diving, Tenpin Bowling, Sailing, Squash, and Triathlon.



What’s It All About?

This day is an opportunity for gay and lesbian sporting groups to showcase their sport-activity.
For most clubs this will be a direct presentation and involvement on the day (eg running, volleyball, dancing).
For some clubs the facilities are just not available on site for participatory activities so these clubs will be displaying information and in some cases providing food and drinks to those attending.
Good looking swimmers, divers, sailors, tenpin bowlers and other community organisations will staff food and drink stalls.

Registration:
Everybody who participates must register at one of the entry gates and you will be given a Wristband that tells everyone that you have registered. Sorry people, but this is necessary for insurance purposes.
You will not be allowed to participate in any of the activities unless you are wearing your wristband.
You are encouraged to participate in as many activities as you can during the day. And we don't mean super athletes - we encourage all levels of people to get involved - come out and play! Get involved and get healthy!



Want to get involved?

All Team Sydney member clubs have been invited to participate in SDO2011.
Last time around, hundreds of people joined in and all clubs attracted new members as well as promoted their sports to the GLBT community. Even straight folk came along and some ended up joining some groups as members.
It's a day for everyone. If you are not part of a Team Sydney club you may also participate (a small fee applies) - maybe you are interested in cricket, lawn bowls, roller blading, Aussie rules or many other sports not yet represented within Team Sydney. We would love to hear from you.
Field sports/activities will be based on the Lower Flat at SBHS eg. Soccer, Softball, Rugby, and the Running events will be held in Steele Park, across Cleveland Street.
Within the gymnasium of Sydney Boys High School you will find Volleyball, Badminton, Dancing, Basketball etc.
On the courts around the gymnasium will be tennis, netball, basketball, etc
A timetable will be available soon so participants can schedule their day.

Odds and Ends:
First Aid facilities and trained First Aiders will be available on the day.
Bring a picnic along or buy food and drinks on the day. There is plenty to watch and enjoy. Bring your family and friends.
Sports Day Out will continue even in rainy weather. We will just move as many sports as possible indoors.

The Healthy Lifestyle:
Community organisations will be on hand to provide you with Healthy Living information. Make sure you check out all the stalls and activities; we all want to make sure we enjoy living in this great country.

Awards, honors and prizes galore!

A little round up of some awards news...

Two Gay Games athletes are among the four finalists of the National Lampoon Twitter Awards, in the "Best Gay" category (ahem): Jack Mackenroth and George Takei;

It's not too late to vote!

You can vote HERE (no need for a Twitter account).

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Sydney Convicts (rugby) and Penny Gulliver (martial arts) have been nominated for Honour Awards.

Now in their fifth year, the Honour Awards are an annual event which recognise outstanding achievements within or contributions to NSW's gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) community. The awards are also a gala fundraising event for ACON, NSW's and Australia's largest GLBT health and HIV/AIDS organisation.
The 25 finalists were selected from over 100 nominations received across six categories covering the business, health, education, community, legal, political, media and cultural sectors.

The winners will be presented with a range of gifts and prizes at a gala ceremony and cocktail party at The Ivy in Sydney on Thursday 29 September.

22 October 2011 / Justin Fashanu Cup in Melbourne

Justin Fashanu Cup
Saturday, October 22 · 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Quarries Park- Soccer Pitch
Ramsden Street
Clifton Hill, Victoria, Australia


Come support the Melbourne Rovers and Sydney Rangers.

The game is played to commemorate Justin Fashanu who was the first professional footballer to come out. There is no place in sport for Homophobia.

The Rovers and the Rangers have won the cup once each. One team will take the lead.

1 September 2011 / Blake Skjellerup and Matthew Mitcham welcome dinner in Sydney

Sydney dinner set for launch of new Gay Games Ambassadors
Olympic diver Matthew Mitcham and Olympic speed skater Blake Skjellerup to speak at 1 September
dinner.

San Francisco, CA – (27 July 2011) - Elite athletes Matthew Mitcham and Blake Skjellerup will
be recognized as the latest Ambassadors of the international Federation of Gay Games at a dinner
organized in partnership with the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Business Association and the support of Team Sydney on 1 September.

Their official welcome to the Gay Games family will be made by current Gay Games Ambassador,
Michelle Ferris, a former Olympic cyclist.

The master of ceremonies of the evening will be Professor Kerryn Phelps, the former President of
the Australian Medical Association and a familiar face to Australians over the last twenty five years during which time she has appeared regularly on television, radio and the print media informing the Australian public on health issues.

Both Matthew and Blake will be speaking at the dinner, sponsored by Proteus Leadership Centers
and supported by FGG member organization Team Sydney. A limited number of tickets for the event,
which will be held at the Marriott Hotel on 36 College Street in Darlinghurst, Sydney, may be booked on the SGLBA website at www.sglba.com.au. Tickets are AUD 70 for Team Sydney and SGLBA members, and AUD 80 for non-members.

Federation of Gay Games Vice President for External Affairs Marc Naimark (Paris), expressed his
thanks to the SGLBA: “The support of the local business community and of Prof. Phelps has been
key in making this evening a major event, worthy of these two young men, who are great athletes and outstanding human beings. We appreciate the help of our local member organization, Team Sydney, and of our regional Ambassador coordinator Kate Rowe, without whom this launch would not have been possible. I have had the pleasure of meeting both Blake and Matthew, and my only regret that I won’t be able to attend what promises to be a fantastic evening!”

For more information or photos regarding Gay Games Ambassadors, write to ambassadors@gaygames.org .

For information about the Federation of Gay Games, visit www.gaygames.org.

Australia rugby news: Portrait of a Melbourne rugger, Sydney Convicts heading for regional championship

Some news about gay rugby in Australia, starting with this profile of Sam Minter,a player on Melbourne's Chargers, FGG member QSAM's rugby club, from Dockland's News:

Melbourne’s first gay rugby union team is on its way to an international world cup and Docklands resident Sam Minter is leading the way. The National Foods employee first started playing with Australia’s first gay rugby union team, the Sydney Convicts, in 2003.

When he joined the Convicts his motivation was to represent Australia in the Bingham Cup, a rugby tournament of up to 30 teams of gay men held every two years.

Sam and his Charger team-mates challenge homophobia in sport. Sam says his sport is diverse and the Bingham Cup shows that rugby union accepts gay people. “It’s good for the gay community to see members of their community being involved in a sport that people thought was inaccessible,” Sam said.

As a child Sam always wanted to play rugby. But fears of not being good enough and being bullied because of his sexual orientation held him back.
“A lot of gay men grow up feel isolated from playing sport, especially team sport,” Sam said.

Keep reading HERE.

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Sydney Convicts, the rugby club of FGG member Team Sydney, are doing well in their local league, as reported in SX News:

"The Convicts are excited to be representing Woollahra Colleagues in the Walker Cup and we are really happy to have won our first semi-final," Convicts president David Whittaker said.

"We will be looking to take our improving form into the Merrylands match with a win for a place in the Walker Cup grand final," he said.

This is the first year the Convicts has entered the Walker Cup after being “given an opportunity to step up to a more consistent grade” and despite entering the competition late, the third grade division team managed to finish third on the overall competition ladder ahead of the finals.

Whittaker said the decision to enter the Walker Cup was to “challenge” the team and an “excellent tool” to develop its new players.

“It has prepared us very well for next year, when the Convicts need to play our strongest rugby ever in Manchester in order to win both the Bingham Cup and Bingham Bowl and bring both back to Australia,” he said.

Two Convicts teams are expected to compete in Manchester for the gay rugby world cup, the Bingham Cup, which the Convicts brought home to Australia in 2006 and 2008.

The Tour de France, Sydney Spokes, and Gay Games Ambassador Michelle Ferris

Michelle Ferris at Gay Games VII in CologneI

The Tour de France is a great excuse to write about Sydney Spokes and Gay Games Ambassador Michelle Ferris in the Sydney Star Observer:


It was a good week for sport in this country with the Great French Bike Ride forcing sunburnt English people in Wimbledon stands off the front page.

My late night prowling watching spokes go round on SBS has been curtailed by work, so I have had to learn the next morning how poor Spanish doctor Jesus Losa has provided another drug-filled exit strategy to a Russian rider in France.

This takes our eye off the goal — can Cadel Evans ultimately be triumphant in France to gain the dubious honour of wearing Lycra in one of the world’s fashion capitals, and will it be yellow this year?

Cycling’s affinity with the Gay Games movement includes Sydney’s own Michelle Ferris’ appointment as a Federation Ambassador. No small feat if you take a moment to peruse the international sporting stars she stands alongside.

At the height of her career, Ferris was not without controversy, but it never prevented her from producing the goods at medal time. As an international star, it would have been easy to stand on a pedestal and ignore the grassroots sportspeople in our community. Instead, Australia is well represented internationally and in local media by her profile, achievement and as a down-to-earth lesbian mum.

Cycling is a great sport. The development of Clover Moore’s ultra-green bike pathways throughout the gay Mecca has altered the journey to the point where I feel my two wheels have rights of their own. For the past decade, my bike and I have developed an affinity with the rabbit at the greyhound racing track. My greyhounds have been the taxi industry, non-observant drivers and Sydney Transit buses.

Sydney Spokes is a gay and lesbian cycling group which rides in and around Sydney on a weekly basis. It is not for purists, Lycra lovers, or former world champion triathletes, even though they’re all welcome. It is a friendly group which provides social interaction while exercising. Just another way to get out to play: www.teamsydney.org.au

18 June 2011 / Sydney University Football Club and Sydney Convicts Rugby Club to play for diversity

News from the Sydney University [Rugby] Football Club about the Sydney Convicts, a member of FGG member organization Team Sydney:

Sydney University Football Club (SUFC), the Birthplace of Australian rugby which continues to breed many star Super Rugby and Wallaby greats, is teaming up with Australia’s World Champion gay rugby team, the Sydney Convicts, to help promote the message of diversity in sport and the community.

“Diversity in life, and sport, is a human right and I am proud that Sydney University Football Club is working with the Sydney Convicts to ensure this message is being received by everyone in the community,” said Berrick Barnes, SUFC player and Australian Wallaby. “This day is also about our local community embracing the SUFC as their own by supporting the team. We hope that everyone can get to the game and cheer on The Students.”

An exhibition rugby 10’s game will be played at the historic No. 1 Oval at Sydney University between The Students (SUFC) and The Convicts on Saturday 18th June and will be part of SUFC’s Community & Diversity Day. The game is designed to spread the word about tolerance of diversity in sport and life and help with the fight against homophobia in the community. This is the first time a Premier Rugby Club anywhere in the world has become actively involved in such a cause. The two teams will be competing for the “Diversity Shield”.

“The Sydney University Football Club is very pleased to be working with the Sydney Convicts for our Community & Diversity Day. The partnership of these two well-known clubs is a fantastic thing for rugby union in Australia,” said President of SUFC, David Mortimer AO. “SUFC is very proud to be associated in this initiative and helping to spread the word about diversity, not only in sport, but in everyday life.”

The day will be dedicated to embracing the local population and celebrating its diversity, with many attractions planned for a day of family fun at Sydney University. This includes: Animal farm, face painting and jumping castle of the kids and market stalls on the sideline with a variety of food and products, to embrace the diverse cultures in our local community.

“It's brilliant that Sydney Uni has put on a day especially designed to embrace the culture of the local community. It once again proves that rugby union is leading the way in supporting diversity in sport,” said David Whittaker, President of the Sydney Convicts.

“We hope that rugby players at all levels will feel comfortable being themselves and will ultimately be able to enjoy the game without even thinking about their sexuality. Then we’ll really know we’ve arrived at a place where there is true acceptance and diversity,” said David Whittaker, President of the Sydney Convicts. “Sexuality should be a non-issue and the focus should be on playing great rugby. This isn't the case yet, but with the great work being done by SUFC and others, it will no doubt be the case soon"

“You can be sure that the Sydney Uni boys will not be taking it easy on the Convicts when we play a match during the Community & Diversity Day”, said Student and Waratah Daniel Halangahu. “Whether rucking or mauling, we will be in it to win and the Convicts are up for some tough competition from The Students!”

Come out and wrestle with Sydney's Harbour City Wrestling Club

A message from Sydney's Harbour City Wrestling Club, a member of FGG member organizations Team Sydney and Wrestlers Without Borders:

Established almost 20 years ago, the Harbour City Wrestling Club (HGWC) is a gay and gay-friendly not-for-profit group that practises amateur Olympic Freestyle Wrestling here in Sydney.

In fact, it’s the only gay-focused wrestling group in Australia. The club trains in freestyle wrestling (a style that allows moves above and below the waist), and incorporates moves from Roman-Greco wrestling (a style that allows moves only above the waist).

The HCWC trains every Friday at 7pm at Boxing Works in Darlinghurst. Everybody is welcome, and they’re happy to accommodate beginners. People coming for the first time should go to the reception and ask for Harbour City Wrestling.

The cost is $15 per session or $12 for members.

Training is at a similar intensity to a gym workout and wearing gym gear is fine. Spectators are always welcome with a gold coin donation.

After training, the HCWC heads for a meal at a nearby pub — again, everybody is welcome.

Over the years, club members have participated in wrestling tournaments both locally and overseas, with wrestlers taking part in last year’s Gay Games in Cologne. The club is currently working towards participating in a wrestling tournament in San Francisco in November*, and working towards the next Gay Games, in Cleveland in 2014.

info: Email harbourcitywrestling@gmail.com or visit www.hcwc.com.au

*At Golden Gate Wrestling Club's Folsom Street Fair tournament.

News from Sydney Mardi Gras Fair Day

A report from Kate Rowe on the the 2011 Mardi Gras Fair Day:

The Fair took place in a sweltering 36°C and 80% humidity Sunday (20th February) in Sydney. Despite the energy-sapping conditions, the crowds were out in force. This is the most popular of the community events of the Mardi Gras festival outside of the parade.

The Sports Village, hosted by FGG-member Team Sydney, was a popular draw with plenty of booths representing many sports and lots of sports displays. Several clubs, including Freezone Volleyball, offered demonstrations to fairgoers.

Friend of the Gay Games Matthew Mitcham was working hard on the stand of his lead sponsor, telecoms company Telstra.

He made sure to ask me to say "hi!" on his behalf to the Federation and its supporters. Matthew will be one of the official commentators for the Mardi Gras Parade on March 5th.

Wayne Morgan, delegate to the FGG from International Frontrunners, was as always helping out at the Sydney Frontrunners stall along with club stalwarts Steve (aka Miss Dollywood) and Jenny.

As for myself, I caught up with several people who attended the Cologne Gay Games and started the conversation on Gay Games IX, which is already generating a good deal of interest.

Next stop, AsiaPacific Outgames, where I'll be representing the FGG. Make sure to stop by accreditation to say hi and to learn more about the Federation and Gay Games IX.

Find more information about the FGG in Wellington at wellington.gaygames.org.

Team Sydney announces board openings

From the Sydney Star Observer:

Team Sydney’s annual general meeting is only four weeks away, and will be held from 5pm on Saturday, November 20 at Level 1 of the Brighton Hotel in Darlinghurst.

There are three positions on Team Sydney’s board up for nomination at the AGM, and they’re casting the net wide for potential new applicants, including women and younger people, two areas that are somewhat under-represented on the current board.

Specifically, Team Sydney are looking for young people to train and develop in community leadership.

You may have particular skills or a few spare hours per month to complete tasks on a sub-committee. You may be a frustrated creative type with a few ideas you’d like to propose for the gay and lesbian sporting community.

You might have a strong social conscience and a passion for breaking down barriers to participation for gays and lesbians within sport broken down further.

You might have valuable contacts or e-communications skills that would help get Team Sydney’s message out to the world at large.

info: Contact David Kyles at ts-communications@teamsydney.org.au or Wally Salinger at president.freezone@yahoo.com.au

Team Sydney welcome-home party

From the Sydney Star Observer:

On Thursday, October 21, the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Business Association (SGLBA) is hosting a welcome home party for Team Sydney members who went to the Gay Games In Cologne.

To be held at Bourke Street’s Beresford Hotel, the event will be a celebration of the fantastic effort Team Sydney — and the Australian contingent as a whole — put in during the August games. Australia’s 365 participating athletes — more than 200 of them from Team Sydney — shone at Gay Games VIII in Cologne, netting more than 200 medals in disciplines as diverse as wrestling and dance: 90 gold, 92 silver and 53 bronze in total.

SGLBA were Team Sydney’s main sponsors for the Cologne trip, so Team Sydney winners, wear your Games uniforms, don your medals with pride and head to the Beresford to bask in sporting glory and enjoy a well-deserved drink and catch-up with Cologne teammates.