‘30 Years in the Making’ celebrates the group’s history.

THE FLYING BATS ‘ sydney-based LGBTIQ women’s football club will launch their new History Project tonight in Marrickville.

30 Years in the Making celebrates 30 years of play for the team, and the launch will feature some of the club’s founding members, life members, and current and past presidents.

Former Bat and current ABC Radio National breakfast presenter Fran Kelly will be joined by FIFA executive committee member and former Matilda Moya Dodd at the launch.

The History Project explores the growth of the club from a small group of women who wanted a safe space as lesbians in sport. It will show the progression to the mature club that now fields six teams in the Northwest Sydney Women’s Football Association, helps to combat homophobia in sport and wider society, and plays a significant role in Sydney’s lesbian culture and community.

History Project team member and current player Sarah Midgley said, “One of the major themes coming through in the interviews has been that the club has been so much more than just a sporting organisation. The Flying Bats has provided a strong sense of community to many over the past three decades.”

30 Years in the Making includes oral histories, photographs and other memorabilia from the club’s formation in 1985 through to today. The project also captures the often forgotten history of queer women in sport and society and will provide a significant resource to the Australian Lesbian and Gay Archives.

Current club president Nadine Wild said, “Learning from our history is incredibly powerful and emotive, and I look forward to reminiscing with all the wonderful people that make and have made this club so precious and internationally unique.”

More information on The History Project.

Launch Information:

When: Wednesday 25 May, 7pm

Where: Camelot Lounge, Marrickville Rd & Railway Parade, Marrickville NSW

The Flying Bats Official Website