Local gay rugby team, the Ponsonby Heroes, is folding through lack of players. "This is a big shame. Once the team folds, it will be difficult to get it started again," former manager Chris Barris told the NZ Herald. "The team has led the way in getting gay people into sport and being accepted. Rugby is the last bastion of the New Zealand male world of beer and all that sort of stuff." Former All Black Bryan Williams, director of rugby at the Ponsonby Rugby Club, supported the idea of a gay team when some players approached him in the late 90s. He says he'll be trying his best to keep the team going. "I'm very disappointed ... hopefully the team starts again, maybe even this year,” he says. "They were good club men. And most importantly, they illustrated there is tolerance for everyone in the game." The Heroes lasted for seven seasons in Auckland's social grade, breaking down barriers and braving taunts and insults from some quarters. They rose through the ranks and peaked two years ago, finishing third and beating every opponent that season, including social-grade top dogs University. "...those teams came to realise our guys can actually play and are not a lot of softy poofters running around the field," says Barris. 12:30pm Ed note: An update is pending on this item as further information has been received indicating the Ponsonby Heroes are NOT finishing at all.
Credit: GayNZ.com News Staff
First published: Wednesday, 6th April 2005 - 12:00pm