Outgames registrations now open

Registrations are now open for the 1st Asia Pacific Outgames Melbourne 2008.
The gay and lesbian multi-sport event will be staged in Melbourne from 30 January to 3 February, during the Midsumma festival. The first World Outgames was held in Montréal Canada in 2006, and attracted more than 12,000 participants.
Outgames co-president Peter Sagar said the organisation had made every attempt to keep costs at a minimum and, as a result, would offer a two-tiered fee structure.
“Participants will pay an Outgames participant fee first, followed by their chosen activity fee, being either conference or a sport,” Sagar said.
“The Outgames participant fee is paid only once regardless of the number of activities chosen. The Outgames participant fee covers the costs including the provision of gold, silver and bronze medals, participant accreditation information, support and identification for Outgames volunteers, administration, taxes, fees and a contribution to the official celebrations.”
Sagar said registered participants would pay differing fees, dependent on the cost of staging their activity.
Registrations open today, Thursday 6 September, and participants who register before 10 October will be in the draw to win a $500 STA Travel voucher, plus 12-month subscriptions to the Sydney Star Observer, DNA and LOTL. A late fee may be introduced on Monday 26 November 2007.
“Some of the sports that are opening for registration are lawn bowls, rowing and swimming,” Sagar said. “Not all sports are opening as financial and management details are being resolved with venues.
“Opening registrations is a great milestone and represents the culmination of a lot of hard work by Melbourne’s host sport clubs and Queer Sports Alliance Melbourne, which is acting as the sports director of the Outgames.
“I’m proud of how everyone has been working really hard to enable registrations to open, from people liaising with venues to dealing with contracts and those preparing the operation plans.
“Everyone has been doing an amazing job, particularly when you realise that this is all volunteer work. It’s great seeing people’s commitment and passion for the Outgames.”
For more information go to www.melbourneoutgames.org.
Sydney Registration Day: A special Outgames registration day will be held in Sydney on Sunday 16 September, 1pm-5pm, on the first floor, Brighton Hotel, Oxford St.