Fri 24 Apr 2015 In: Out Games News View at Wayback View at NDHA
From roller derby to aquathon, football and swimming, a wide range of sports have been confirmed for February's Asia Pacific Outgames in Auckland. Members of the Team Auckland Masters Swimmers The sports are: Aquathon Badminton Body Building Bridge Chess Dancesport Football (Soccer) Golf Lawn Bowls Netball Ocean Swimming Road Running Roller Derby Softball Squash Swimming Ten Pin Bowling Tennis Touch Track and Field Volleyball Organisers say a Sports Hub will be located at the Trusts Arena in Henderson, the venue where the majority of sports will be played. Other venues close by include swimming at The West Wave Pool and Leisure Centre, squash at the Henderson Squash Club, ten pin bowling at Pins Lincoln and tennis at Te Pai Park Tennis Club. “We believe that this Sports Hub will ensure cross code participation such as a swimming team also entering netball and will enable the participants from across the Asia Pacific Region to support their city/country teams.” Exhibition days are also being looked at for a number of additional sports such as archery, dragon boating and martial arts. “This will be an environment where individuals and teams can participate in a new sport as well as engaging with other people within the LGBTQI Community.” The detailed Sports Programme will be released in the coming month. Coordinators of the various sports are expressing excitement about the Games. Roller Derby Organiser Pash Malice (via piratecityrollers.com) Roller Derby Organiser Pash Malice says it's a thrilling time for the Auckland LGBTQI community. “It's hard to imagine an event on the scale that the 4th Asia Pacific Outgames promises, and the chance to include roller derby in such an international event is incredibly exciting. Vagine Regime Aotearoa cannot wait to welcome all the athletes to our shores. We hope to bring our own special edge to the Outgames, with the fiercest competition possible on eight wheels.” Netball organiser Phylesha Acton-Brown says New Zealand has a lot of pride in netball as a nation, “so I'm excited that netball is one sport that will bring fierce and competitive competition and will showcase a lot of talented sportspersons." Lawn Bowls organiser Frank Broekmans says Sunnybrae Bowls is going to be the Outgames tournament. “Excitement is building. In our club we have three ‘out' players and our club members have always made us feel very welcome and at home. “It was no wonder then that the executive was right behind my proposition to offer our club as a venue for the Asia Pacific Outgames. We are looking forward to meeting our fellow players from around the Asia Pacific region and being part of these great games. See you in February 2016.” GayNZ.com Daily News staff - 24th April 2015
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Friday, 24th April 2015 - 5:41pm