The team planning Melbourne's inaugural gay and lesbian multi-sport event are looking for ‘Champion' New Zealanders to serve as ambassadors for the games. The first ‘Asia Pacific Outgames' is planned to take place between 30th January to 3rd February next year. It will be staged during Melbourne's premier Gay and Lesbian cultural and arts event, the ‘Midsumma Festival'. As a volunteer-based organisation, Melbourne Outgames Inc (MOI) is seeking to appoint specific ambassadors in major cities across Australia and throughout the Asia Pacific region. “Our ‘Champions' will help by regularly liaising and providing important updates to sporting clubs and athlete officials in their home city, assist in setting up promotional and educational events in the lead-up to the Outgames, help to coordinate/educate the registration process when it goes on line, and generally hype and keep the dream alive in their home town,” say the Outgames team. The Outgames organisers have also announced that they have secured the world-class Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre as one of the major venue hubs for the games. The state-of-the-art venue recently hosted water polo and diving for the 12th FINA World Championships, and was home to aquatics, squash and other events for the Commonwealth Games in 2006. “Melbourne and its thriving Gay and Lesbian community are looking forward to welcoming participants and their friends from across Australia and the Asia Pacific region including New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong, Thailand, Malaysia and many other countries.” Registration for the 1st Asia Pacific Outgames in Melbourne 2008 is to commence in August 2007 and regular updates will be available on their official website – linked below. Those interested in volunteering can email champions@melbourneoutgames.org. Ref: Melbourne Outgames Inc. (m)