Support is growing in Christchurch for a team to take on next year's Gay Games, but one of the co-ordinators, Bruce Morrison, hopes to cast the net further afield and form a Team South Island. "We've got an email list of fifteen or so, and half a dozen have said they're very keen to go. One or two have registered already," he says. "We hope to have a Team South Island, getting Dunedin, Nelson and West Coast people interested." Much of the interest so far has been from athletes competing in individual sports like running or swimming, but those wanting to compete in team sports are welcome to join as well. Interest has waned in New Zealand since the last Games in 2002, something Morrison attributes to the location, and the controversy over which city should host the official event, which has led to two rival games being staged. "Last time it was in Sydney, which was much closer and cheaper to get to. This time it's different with the split events happening in Montreal and Chicago." Nonetheless, he hopes southern Kiwis will come together under the same banner to head northwards for the festivities, which place a heavy emphasis on participation rather than pure competition. Work has already begun on a team uniform. Bruce can be reached on (03) 379-9664 or via email christchurchgaystay@paradise.net.nz.