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LGBTQ swimming club Wett Ones are holding a boot camp during the Mardi Gras Festival and everyone is welcome. Reg Domingo reports. Love the water but not sure how to get back in? In search of other gay and lesbian swimmers? Keen to improve your technique in a safe and inclusive environment? Or just want to have fun in the pool and make new friends?
Then come along to an introductory boot camp hosted by the Wett Ones at Surry Hills this Saturday, February 25. It’s the LGBTQ+ swimming club’s first ever boot camp to be held during the Mardi Gras season.
Wett Ones President Tristan Bray said the boot camp is the perfect way to get to know the club and its members.
“We love seeing new faces at the pool and growing our club, but we realise that coming along to that first swim session, when you don’t really know what to expect, can be a tough leap of faith,” Bray says.
“Boot camp is all about making that first interaction with the club as fun, social, and informative as possible. We will take the new swimmers step by step through the basic principles of swimming with a squad and provide plenty of opportunities for everyone to get to know each other and our current members in an informal setting.”
Founded in 1991, the Wett Ones is one Sydney’s longest-running sporting groups catering to the LGBTQ+ community.
“Wett Ones is now in its 26th year, and has a rich history of community engagement and swimming accolades,” Bray says. “We were originally formed as a lesbian and gay group of Australian swimmers, the first such group in the country, and held our first swim meet during Mardi Gras in 1992. Now, we have a very diverse membership covering the entire LGBTQ+ spectrum, with around 100 members, a third of whom are women, and many are allies who enjoy our excellent swim coaching and friendly approach.
“We accept new swimmers of almost any ability and work with them to help them to achieve their fitness and swimming goals – whether that’s for health, fitness, or a competitive target. Many people think swimming is an individual sport, but at Wett Ones we make it a team sport through our excellent coaching and social events.”
Bray urged anyone thinking about getting back in the water or giving swimming a go to come along and hang out with the Wett Ones.
“Our boot camp is the ideal way to try out swimming with a club, to learn something new, and to meet some friendly people. It’s very low cost and there’s no ongoing commitment required, just a few hours of your Saturday arvo spent at the beautiful Prince Alfred Park,” Bray says.
“We’re running separate women’s and men’s sessions so you’ll be surrounded by similar people, all new to swimming but keen to give it a go. Plus, if you love it – we know you will – we’re offering a special 20-swim discount if you join Wett Ones as a result of the boot camp.”
Image: The Wett Ones training at Sydney Uni Aquatic Centre. Photo: Reg Domingo
 
#GetWett for Mardi Gras Boot Camp is on Saturday, February 25, at Prince Alfred Park Pool, 105 Chalmers St, Surry Hills. Visit www.wettones.org/mardigras for times and more information.
 
Author Reg Domingo

glrfcentral
AFLW Crows co-captain, Erin Phillips, has spoken out about being a mum and playing football. The new AFLW star whose wife, Tracy Gahan, gave birth to twins (Blake and Brooklyn) last November said becoming a mother is the best thing that has happened to her.
Phillips and Gahan have been together for around seven years and met while both playing basketball for the Adelaide Lightning. Philips is currently an Australian professional women's basketball player for the Dallas Wings.
Phillips told The Adelaide Advertiser having children was always something she has wanted to do.
“They’re the best part of my life, for sure,” she said.
“The best thing that’s ever happened in my life. They’ve been the best thing and the hardest thing in the world, I think I describe it as.”
 
(Erin Phillips and her twins)
Phillips who has also won a silver medal in basketball at the 2008 Summer Olympics and a gold medal at the 2006 FIBA World Championship for Women, said the twins have impacted on her daily routine:
“The biggest challenge for me probably was that with basketball and my career I was always on this schedule, setting goals and having a routine every day.
“Now, after having kids, that’s gone completely out the window.
“I’m just kind of learning patience and to expect the unexpected. But it’s been the best thing in my life, that’s for sure.
“But you’re on their schedule. They’re definitely not on your schedule.”
 
Several lesbians who play for the AFLW have shared their stories with the media now. Collingwood player Penny Cula-Reid and her partner Melbourne player Mia-Rae Clifford spoke about their relationship last week to Fairfax media.
Speculation is mounting that with AFLW players coming out whether that will lead to the AFL seeing its first gay male player come out.
Clifford told Fairfax:
"I ask the same question but I don't have an answer. I guess if there are men who are gay in the AFL it will just take one or two people to come out and things might change. But until that day happens I don't think they know how to handle that."
 
Author Rachel Cook

glrfcentral
AFL history was made this weekend as the first round of AFL Women’s was played. The eight week season began on Friday night with Carlton taking on Collingwood at Ikon Park.
Carlton dominated the game and took out the inaugural match with a convincing win. The final scores were 7-4-46, 1-5-11.
The ground was filled to capacity and thousands of fans turned away at the gate.
Adelaide were the victors against Greater Western Sydney. The Western Bulldogs won against Fremantle and the Brisbane Lions defeated Melbourne.
Over 50,000 people attended the four games, with around 25,000 attending the Carlton versus Collingwood match.
 
Author Rachel Cook

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