Citing less free time because it is working towards Gay Games 9, Team Philadelphia, which just held the first LGBT sports party at Sugar House Casino March 14, has announced it will not participate in the Independence Dragon Boat Regatta this year.
The regatta is one of those just-for-fun events on the Schuylkill River each spring. Aside from a couple of practices and a couple of actual heats, it is mostly a social event that draws thousands of competitive and amateur enthusiasts. One of the attractions is hanging out on the river with the cooler and grill and watching the other teams compete.
The regatta is June 1; www.independencedragonboat.com.
Gay Games 9
Just an FYI, but rugby is not one of the 35-plus sports included in Gay Games 9 next year, so their fundraising for the Bingham Cup isn’t saddled by trying to attend the games as well.
But if you’re interested, the games include flag football or soccer and you can get involved at the local level now and go play against men and women from across the country and around the world. Imagine walking into the stadium with your fellow Philadelphians to the sound of thousands of people cheering!
As a matter of fact, if you’re interested in flag football, GPFFL has its second skills day March 23 and will be immediately followed by the draft, so that’s the ticket on that field. Just a note: If you want to play football this spring, the registration deadline is 5 p.m. March 22. Their pre-season get-to-know-your-teammates party is 7-10 p.m. at Tavern on Camac later that night.
Falcons soccer is still temporarily inside, but they will be moving back out to Fairmount Park very soon. There are still two more spring pick-up game special events for women from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. March 23 and 30 at W.B. Saul High School, 7100 Henry Ave.
For more soccer info, go to falcons- soccer.org, and for more flag football info, www.phillyflagfootball.com.
Short stops • Gryphons RFC opens its season 1 p.m. March 23 at George Pepper Middle School, 2901 S. 84th St., and includes a cookout free to all; Philadelphiagryphons.org. Check out a couple of rugger hotties on this week’s Scene in Philly page if you are on the fence about coming out! RSVP to [email protected].
Countdown to Gay Games 9: 504 days. Email your event lists, schedules, questions and glowing tributes to [email protected].