TEAM SYDNEY NEWSLETTER August 2010 Editor: Peter Henson It seems relatively quiet here in Sydney this month, so many sportspeople having departed for Cologne for the Gay Games. This issue has a few Cologne statistics plus more information about the Outgames in Wellington next year, and advanced information about the Sports Festival for Mardi Gras 2011, Sports Day Out and some activities for the individual sporting organisations. COLOGNE GAY GAMES AUSSI FLAGS FLY at GAY GAMES Local News, By Matt Akersten, 3rd August, 2010 2010’s Gay Games began with a spectacular opening ceremony in the German city of Cologne on Saturday, featuring a strong Australian contingent entering the stadium decked out in traditional Aussie colours and proudly waving our nation’s flag. Our Olympic diving hero Matt Mitcham was one of the speakers who addressed the ceremony, and later said he was very moved by the experience. “Over the next few days, Australian LGBT athletes will compete in a variety of events including water polo, wrestling, squash, field hockey, football, swimming and martial arts. Openly-gay German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle lit the traditional torch to ignite the Games, saying of the world’s LGBT citizens: “We do not ask for privilege, we ask for respect.” GAY GAMES STATISTICS Gay Games VIII in Cologne managed to register 9,475 participants from 65 countries, according to numbers they released this week. While it’s down from the 12,000 they set as a goal several years ago, it’s still a solid number in this economy and is on par with 2006 registration numbers in Chicago and Montreal. Some interesting statistics behind the numbers: 68% of the participants are male. Germany is the most-represented, counting for 31%. The U.S. was second with 23%. Countries with more than one participant that might surprise you include El Salvador, Ghana, Liberia, Peru, Suriname, and United Arab Emirates. Over 11% of the participants are registered for soccer. 12% will participate in one of the aquatics sports at the pool. Volleyball and tennis were next. Most-represented city: London, then Berlin. 2010 Summer Squash Tournament The Tournament is being held on Saturday 16th October at the Sydney University Sports and Aquatic Centre. Entries open in the first week in September. The tournament will cater for all Grades – Open, A Grade, B Grade, and C Grade More details available in next month’s newsletter 2nd Asia Pacific Outgames Update Saturday 12 March - Saturday 19 March 2011, Wellington, New Zealand Registrations are open, and earlybird registrations for sports can save you up to 35% of the standard fee! Check out the details on registration, the 16 sports, the conference, and the full programme. Triathlon and soccer possible additions Outgames sports conveners are exploring the possibility of adding triathlon and soccer to the sports programme. Watch this space! NZ Governor-General becomes lead patron We are delighted to announce that His Excellency the Governor-General of New Zealand, The Honourable Sir Anand Satyanand, GNZM, QSO, has agreed to become lead patron for the 2nd Asia Pacific Outgames. Conference contributions invited Expressions of interest are being sought from people wishing to present at our Human Rights Conference. There is a range of opportunities for people to participate, from findings of academic research through to a group or individual sharing examples of how they have championed their rights and refused to be treated as 2nd class people. Further information on how people can register their interest in presenting can be found on our conference pages Mardi Gras Sports Festival 2011 Plans for the Sports Festival 2011 are underway and we need the following in order to ensure that it is the high quality event that I am sure you all want it to be. This year many of you conducted at least one sporting event - some did a few.... all events are welcome and we will confirm details later in the year... - we even hope to fully fund each registration with Mardi Gras - $75 an event. DO NOT SEND ANY MONEY NOW Important dates for you to consider.... Fair Day Sunday 20 February MG parade Saturday 5 March Find the application form at http://teamsydney.org.au/wwwroot/SportsFestival.htm- you will need to print it out (sorry it is 9 pages long but most of the paperwork does not affect sports events) and remember we will take care of the insurance. All information such as dates etc will need to be completed by 1 September 2010. The final input from Team Sydney will be a few days later to NMG. So get your skates on, work with your committee and stay in touch. Team Sydney would love to help you stage another successful MG Sports Festival. Contact Wayne Morgan on skype: morgan2035 or [email protected] for more information Look out for the selected Frontrunners marching into the Opening Ceremony with the original Gay games flag! Might be a surprise! Look out for some hard earned medals coming back to Sydney.... Races coming up include the City to Surf on August 8. Lots more after that but these events are being targeted by our members. So if you want to join in on the training sessions - check out the website for full details... www.sydneyfrontrunners.org The club runs Wed night, Saturday mornings and run squad is Monday evening. Track training is Tues and Thurs evenings. pink sofa cup friends fun sport First Time Including Golf and Tennis in 2010 Saturday Tennis, Sunday Golf in Sydney on 6 & 7 November Pink Sofa Cup - Friends, Fun and Sport! A weekend each year during November for Lesbians to socialise in a friendly, fun and safe environment participating in golf, tennis or just coming along to watch and socialise. Proudly sponsored by PinkSofa.com REGISTER ONLINE NOW www.pinksofacup.com.au Sports’ Day Out Sports’ Day Out (SDO) is a chance for Sydney’s LGBTI sporting clubs to showcase their sport. Held on Sunday October 10th at the Sydney Boys’ High Gymnasium and surrounding grounds (the same place as 2008), it is your club’s opportunity to demonstrate your sport, your people, and the fun you have playing your sport. When: Sunday, 10th October 2010 (11am to 4pm) Where: Sydney Boys' High, Cleveland St and opposite at Moore Park Over the next month a representative from Team Sydney will be contacting each sporting group about how you can contribute to SDO. In particular, we would like demonstrations of each sport, using any of the facilities available (tennis courts, a large gymnasium and playing fields). For sports where it is not really possible to do a demonstration (eg, some of the water based sports), we would really like some detailed information of how your sport works (who is it for, when does it happen etc). A representative from your sport at SDO would also be great. There are also opportunities for your group to contribute in other ways, such as providing a sausage sizzle (I am open to suggestions, but short on ideas). So far, we already have a commitment from Sydney Frontrunners to repeat their Maid of the Mountain and Man of Steel competitions. The Wellington Outgames people will also have a stall there, encouraging people to travel across the ditch in March 2011. And sponsorship has also been forthcoming from ACON and SGLBA. Matt Webster Team Sydney SDO Organiser .