Outfielders join forces with BGF

The Bobby Goldsmith Foundation and the Sydney Outfielders Softball team have joined forces in a circle of friendship, just as the friends of Bobby Goldsmith did for him back in 1984.
For more than 23 years the Bobby Goldsmith Foundation has been providing ongoing support and improvement for the quality of life of men, women and children living with HIV and AIDS.
The worrying fact is that the number of people living with HIV and AIDS is continuing to grow by five percent every year. An estimated 30 percent of these are living below the poverty line.
BGF marketing and communications coordinator Murray Black said the partnership marked an important step for people living with the disease as isolation is a big issue.
“HIV and AIDS remain an important issue. Of the many people living with the illness, we want them to know that we are here to support them,” he said.
“It just demonstrates the higher regard that our organisations have for each other.”
Sydney Outfielders president Shirelle Jones said the decision to join forces came about after discussions about involving BGF in the softball league.
“We’ve always had a strong link with community organisations and in particular with HIV/AIDS organisations as this is one of the main issues facing the community,” she said.
The Outfielders will also be involved in the BGF Friends program, a monthly giving program where the Bobby Goldsmith Foundation is seeking to expand the number of friends who donate to the organisation.
“The Bobby Goldsmith Foundation looks to the fundamentals of strong friendships as the basis for providing support and services to those living with HIV and AIDS,” Jones said.
“Friendship also reflects the history of the Sydney Outfielders, so there is a shared commitment that we can make a valuable difference in many people’s lives.
Black said the joining of the two organisations would have a string of positive benefits.
“It is a relationship where both men and women are going to derive mutual benefits,” he said.
“We are wanting to develop as many of these relationships as possible in order to strengthen the relations within the community. It is just really fantastic that Sydney Outfielders recognise what we do.”
Bobby Goldsmith was an all-round exceptional athlete, winning 17 medals at the first Gay Games in 1982.
“We can’t think of a better way to demonstrate friendship towards those who need it most, to become involved with community organisations and support causes that need it most,” Jones said.
“It shows that apart from getting together and being involved in a fun sport, with a great bunch of people, we also have a duty to give back to the community by supporting great causes such as that of the Bobby Goldsmith Foundation.”
Visit www.bgf.org.au or www.sydneyoutfielders.org.au.