This is the second time the event has been held in the west through the generosity of the City of Maribyrnong and in partnership with Midsumma. Fifteen of Melbourne’s GLBTIQ sporting clubs hosted “give it a go” sessions throughout the day with two clubs in particular getting encouragement from some high profile organisations. 

The AFL and Carlton player/athlete Ally Brock McLean lent a hand to the St Albans Spurs football team and conducted an AFL 9s match. Brock spoke to participants after the match about the importance of sport playing a part in tackling homophobia in society and the need to create environments that are accepting to the GLBTIQ community. 

Simon Zappia from Melbourne Heart A League soccer team assisted the Rovers in conducting a soccer clinic and Melbourne Heart generously donated tickets to their game to the raffle on the day. Each club designed sessions specifically for beginners so this was the chance for queer Melbourne sportspeople to give it a go! 

The program started at 9am with rowing, tennis, running, soccer, cycling, badminton and rugby and continued after a BBQ lunch with swimming, dancing, water polo and volleyball. Motafrenz car club ran a car exhibit throughout the day and the Nomads walking group strutted their stuff also. 

Team Melbourne President Carolyn “Booka” Harrison said “This is the second time the Sports Day is being held at Footscray thanks to the generosity of the City of Maribyrnong and the help and support from Midsumma. The venue provides a wonderful space for members of the community to mix and try their hand at the variety of sports on offer. It was wonderful today to have all our teams together and to see GLBTIQ Melbourne actively participate in sport. Having Brock McLean from the AFL and Simon Zappia from Melbourne Heart here helps get the message out to the broader community that homophobia has no place in sport or society.”