The IGLFA World Championships kicked-off this week in Marrickville, Sydney with Football Canterbury proud to play an important role in assisting the tournament.
The tournament is the 24th world championships for the International Gay and Lesbian Football Association (IGLFA) and is being held in Sydney for the first time. The event brings together LGBTQIA+ people and allies from across the world to coincide with Sydney WorldPride.
Co-hosted by one of our member clubs, Sydney Rangers (alongside the Flying Bats), and being held at Tempe Reserve, we were excited to play a part in the preparations for this tournament.
Sydney Rangers, Australia’s first and only gay and inclusive men’s football club, joined our association in 2005 and, in more recent years, we established a Gender Identity Policy to ensure football in this region is an inclusive and safe environment.
We believe that all people regardless of diverse sexualities and genders have the right to a safe and enjoyable sporting environment, and we will work to facilitate any individual players, teams, or entire clubs who seek to join such an environment with us.
The IGLFA World Championships being played in our region is another step forward for inclusivity and celebration, providing the perfect event for our association to support.
The Football Canterbury Board of Directors was heavily involved through the assistance of Liza Schaeper and Ashleigh Campbell.
Along with marketing and operations advice, board members and staff provided resources and expertise on player, volunteer, and referee recruitment as well as connecting the tournament organisers with A-League clubs, state bodies, Football Australia, and FIFA.
We were also able to connect the tournament organisers to suppliers for footballs, trophies, and equipment.
Schaeper said as soon as the tournament was announced, Football Canterbury volunteered their services without hesitation.
“When the IGLFA World Championships were announced as being held in Sydney, Football Canterbury were excited and proud to be involved in the preparations and operations,” said Schaeper.
“This tournament is an important vehicle to help promote and foster the growth of LGTBQIA+ football worldwide, and we are privileged for the 2023 edition to be in our backyard.
“From player and volunteer recruitment to marketing and operations advice, it makes me proud that board members and staff from Football Canterbury were able to contribute in some way to help make this tournament a reality.
“For many years Football Canterbury has supported the visibility and inclusion of LGBTQIA+ people in football and will always welcome players, teams, and clubs of all genders or sexualities to our organisation. The IGLFA World Championships is just another step to help all people feel welcome in our association.”
The tournament continues throughout this week with the finals being played on Thursday 23 February. As well as Sydney Rangers, fellow Football Canterbury club Balmain DFC are also participating in the tournament.
Image credits: Photographed with Love
