Good sports

This year the Federation of Gay Games turns 25. Although it now has some competition, many say the FGG is the original and the best. Once every four years, host city organisations around the world licensed by the FGG stage multi-sport events accompanied by conferences, opening and closing ceremonies and sometimes parties as well.
At Team Sydney we describe events like the Gay Games as focus points for training and fabulous excursions – which they are. We also subscribe to the idea that sport may be best exemplified by some people trying to kick a ball between two garbage bins or a lone runner straining to improve the time taken to complete a difficult course.
For many, their actual activities fall somewhere in between. Clubs and organisations provide the means to participate in friendly and competitive atmospheres.
As a member of the Federation we try to publicise upcoming Gay Games and evaluate their worth in the various disciplines offered in order to inform Sydneysiders.
The other side of the membership coin is to influence the Federation for improvements to future events and to point out what did and what didn’t work at Games just held. We send a delegation to the annual meetings.
The annual meeting is this week and, since it’s the 25th, quite a shindig is being planned. Attendance from around the world is likely to be higher than usual and our input from the Southern Hemisphere will reach a large audience.
It is important that our delegation offers comments that reflect the real views of those in our area. The Team Sydney board and our delegates can easily fall into the trap of thinking they are in the best position to give advice to the FGG.
In reality, only those intending to compete or considering participation at future games have comments, criticisms or ideas worth putting forward. These are what our delegation needs to know before we contribute to the meeting in San Francisco this year.
The Team Sydney website has a feedback option for you to send us your comments. You might like to provide your opinion on a particular sport, the ceremonies, the balance between culture and sport, the venues being offered, the costs or any number of subjects.
Certainly, Australians have some unique views about travelling to events on the other side of the planet and Team Sydney would like to use your views to make the Gay Games better for us as well as the rest of the world. Let’s hear from you.
Email us at [email protected].
The Sydney Rangers Football Club plays social games every Sunday at Centennial Park, along Oxford St, above the underground reservoir. They now start at 4pm (for a 4.30pm kick-off) due to daylight saving. For a map go to www.sydneyrangersfc.com.au/aboutus.php.