Go south

Go south

Freezoners head to the cultural capital down Mexico way for the annual Winter Whack Volleyball Tournament. It is hard to keep up with this collection of refugees, students, homegrown sports stars and their First Wives Club.

It is not about the wi

nning, of course. Freezoners just feel obligated to respond to the invitation from the southerners. For Melbourne Spikers, it is always a challenge to cater for a ‘full house’ of 14 teams in their venue, host a stunning presentation evening, and arise (or in some cases continue on) to a Winter Wine Tour on the Mornington Peninsula.

It is exciting to welcome several tournament virgins along for the ride. The training has made a team of them — or was that the stunning outfits?

For our virginal players, it is a further step into the unknown. Who awaits them down south? Friendships will be made that may last for hours, days and, in many cases, years to come. The simple common interest of the players’ chosen sport and the team members who have supported them will form the foundation of a new phase in their lives.

Many players have already exhibited great surges in confidence as their skills have improved. They have opened themselves up to making new friends in the sporting community and developing healthy interpersonal relationships that will help them counter the many pitfalls that cross their paths in being gay or lesbian.

More than any other outcome will be the clear signal that Freezoners are normal sports-loving members of society. Family, employers and friends are provided with a non-threatening conversation topic: how did the game go on the weekend?

No fears of a weird ‘gay-orientated’ answer that may embarrass or curtail the conversation.

Just a simple, ‘We had a sensational time, on the court, at the presentation, in bed with the boys we met, and on the wine tour!’ How perfectly acceptable is that?

If volleyball is not your sport, join the 2000 people playing in gay and lesbian teams in Sydney each week. Just get out to play: www.teamsydney.org.au

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