IGLA CHAMPIONSHIPS

MEDIA PACK20 - 25 February | melbourne2020.org

Summer Together Down Under

Melbourne2020 IGLA ChampionshipsOur Summary

6 10 661 16CountriesRegistrantsSocial

EventsSports

4Ambassadors

Melbourne2020 Inc. is a not for profit organisation founded for the sole purpose of hosting the International Gay and Lesbian Aquatics Championships in Melbourne, Australia in 2020. A team of Melbourne based swimmers and waterpolo players pitched to host the IGLA championships during the Paris Gay Games in 2018 and won.

The host clubs for this event are The Glamourhead Sharks Swimming Club and Melbourne Surge Water Polo Club, two of Melbourne’s LGBT+ sporting clubs encouraging diversity, fitness, competition and fun.

This is a championship for all; we celebrate:

After months of planning, the Melbourne2020 IGLA Championships will commence on 20 February, 2020 and conclude on 25 February, 2020. The championship will be held at Melbourne’s premier aquatics sporting facility – the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre (MSAC), which has been home to many international aquatics and sporting events.

Melbourne2020 IGLA ChampionshipsWhat’s Happening?

Diversity All Ages (18-90) All Abilities

Community Health Fun

IGLA Championships

2019New York City

2020Melbourne, Australia

2021Salt Lake City, Utah

Gay Games + IGLA

The IGLA Championships have been held every year since 1987 in various cities in the Northern Hemisphere, this is the first time that the IGLA Championships have been held in Australia as a standalone event. See below for a view of the IGLA location history. Every four years, IGLA is held as a subset of the Gay Games.

Melbourne2020 IGLA ChampionshipsIGLA Championship History

1987San Diego, California

1990Vancouver, British Columbia

1989Vancouver, British Columbia

1988San Diego, California

1991Los Angeles, California

1992Seattle, Washington

1993Chicago, Illinois

1994New York, New York

1995Montreal, Québec

1996Washington, D.C.

1997San Diego, California

1998Amsterdam, Netherlands

1999Atlanta, Georgia

2000Paris, France

2001Toronto, Ontario

2002Sydney, Australia

2003San Francisco, California

2004Fort Lauderdale, Florida

2005Atlanta, Georgia

2006Chicago, Illinois

2007Paris, France

2008Washington, D.C.

2009Copenhagen, Denmark

2010Cologne, Germany

2011Honolulu, Hawaii

2012Reykjavík, Iceland

2013Seattle, Washington

2014Cleveland, Ohio

2015Stockholm, Sweden

2016Edmonton, Alberta

2017Miami, Florida

2018Paris, France

Melbourne2020 IGLA ChampionshipsCompetition SportsMelbourne2020 will host 6 sports: Swimming, Water Polo, Diving, Artistic Swimming, Open Water Swimming and our beloved Pink Flamingo – an artistic swimming, musical, dancing mixed team sport not to be missed! A breakdown of our registrations is below:

Swimming | 406

Water Polo | 249

Open Water | 83

Artistic Swimming | 22

Diving | 5

Pink Flamingo | 12 teams

The theme for Pink Flamingo this year is ‘Divas Down Under’ encouraging participants to use local Australian acts in their performances – the show will delight, entertain and educate the audience allthewhile incorporating an element of aquatics involvement. A spectacle not to be missed.

Caleb Hawk President, Melbourne Surge Waterpolo

Melbourne2020 IGLA ChampionshipsOur Host Clubs

What is your fondest memory of your club?Every year our club marches alongside Sydney in Mardi Gras, but this year took on extra meaning for us as we marched. I was incredibly proud of our comradery and conviction in celebrating our diversity and pride that night.

What are you most looking forward to about Melbourne2020?After having travelled to both Europe and North America for water polo competitions, I’m really looking forward having so many players finally come down to Australia. What can I say? We’re really keen to host.

Tell us one Melbourne secret you want to share with the worldUsually tourists think you have to travel down to Phillip Island to see fairy penguins come out of the ocean, but if you head down to the end of the pier in St Kilda there’s a small penguin colony there and you can see the penguins come out of the water just after sunset.

Melbourne Surge Water Polo Club continues to be among the fastest growing water polo clubs in Australia and one of the oldest LGBTI water polo club’s in the country. Based in the heart of Melbourne, Surge is proud to offer a safe and inclusive environment for competitive and social players alike from across our LGBTIQ communities.

With IGLA 2020 coming to Melbourne, Surge is excited to welcome LGBTIQ athletes from across the globe as they touch down in Australia in February 2020.

Since the club’s start in the lead up to the 2002 Gay Games, Surge now enters five competitive teams in Water Polo Victoria’s State League Championships as well as recreational and competitive teams in interstate and international competitions. With a longstanding dedication to inclusion in sport, Surge’s annual Rookies program introduces dozens of LGBTIQ community members to water polo every year.

Brendan KnoxPresident, Glamourhead Sharks Swimming

Melbourne2020 IGLA ChampionshipsOur Host Clubs

What is your fondest memory of your club?There are so many great memories from my international travels with the Glams, I couldn't choose just one. But the friendships I’ve built and the experiences I’ve had overseas while with the Glams have been unforgettable.

What are you most looking forward to about Melbourne2020?February in Melbourne really is the best time to welcome international visitors. I’m looking forward to sharing those long hot summer days that last well into the evening.

Tell us one Melbourne secret you want to share with the worldThe Yarra River is the place to be at sunset. Specifically, one of the riverside bars like Arbory or Ponyfish Island which is actually in the middle of the river!

Established in 2001 by a group of swimmers interested in attending the 2002 Gay Games, The Glamourhead Sharks have since grown into one of Melbourne’s largest masters swimming clubs. Competing at local, national and international events we aim to provide an environment for LGBTI swimmers and their friends to participate in competitive and fitness swimming. We are extremely pleased to be supporting Melbourne2020 and being the host club for the swimming component of Melbourne2020 IGLA Championships and look forward to welcoming all our visitors to Melbourne.Our Aims Are:• To provide an encouraging and supportive environment for swimmers of all

abilities to improve their fitness and swimming skills, have fun and develop friendships.

• To present a positive image of the GLBTIQ community through attendance in local, interstate and international Masters swimming meets.

• To support swimmers in competing to their full potential in Masters and open water swimming competition.

Melbourne2020 IGLA ChampionshipsOur Ambassadors - Swimming (AU)Bio:Daniel Kowalski OAM is a dual Olympian (Atlanta 1996, Sydney 2000) with a swathe of Olympic, Commonwealth, Pan Pacific and World Championship medals to his name. Kowalski was part of the gold medal winning 4 X 200m relay team at the Sydney Olympics, an event that he and his teammates set a world record for two years earlier at the Commonwealth Games. Known widely for his abilities in the 200, 400, 800 and 1500m freestyle, at the 1996 Olympics Kowalski was the first man in 92 years to win medals across each of the 200, 400 and 1500m freestyle events. Kowalski is currently the Olympian Services Manager at the Australian Olympic Committee and most recently competed with the Sydney Wett Ones at IGLA2019 in New York.

What it means being an IGLA Ambassador:“IGLA provides an event where members of our community can take part in something they enjoy in a safe and inclusive environment. IGLA also serves as an opportunity to continue to educate the wider community and assist in breaking down barriers when it comes to the LGBTQ+ community.”

-Daniel Kowalski

Dan Kowalski

Melbourne2020 IGLA ChampionshipsOur Ambassadors - Swimming (US)BioTom Luchsinger is the 2013 USA Swimming National Champion in the 200M Butterfly. He attended the 2013 FINA World Championships finishing 5th in the event. He graduated from The University of North Carolina with a degree in Exercise & Sport Science. While at North Carolina, Tom was a 10 time All American, 12 time Atlantic Coast Conference medallist, and a five time Atlantic Coast Conference Champion. Tom was one of the first openly gay USA Swimming National Team members, coming out while competing in 2014 following a challenging first year as a professional athlete. Tom is the current Team Manager for Team New York Aquatics (TNYA) in New York City. He works in fundraising for Columbia University, and teaches swim clinics in addition to his responsibilities with TNYA.

What it means being an IGLA Ambassador“Growing up, there were two words that in my mind had always conflicted; athlete and gay. As a closeted high acheiving athlete, it was as if these two descriptions were constantly in conflict—I could not be both. By hosting, competing and supporting meets like IGLA, we are challenging these stereotypes and hopefully making sports a more inclusive environment”

- Tom Luchsinger

Tom Luchsinger

Melbourne2020 IGLA ChampionshipsOur Ambassadors – Water Polo (AU)BioEmily Scott is a 27 year old queer women from Sydney who graduated with a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Science and now works as a management consultant. She is also the CEO of Out for Australia, a volunteer not-for-profit that supports and mentors aspiring LGBTIQ professionals. Emily played seven seasons in the Australian water polo national league (including a silver medal in 2015), one season for the University of Hawaii and represented Australia at the under-18 and under-20 World Championships. Emily was instrumental in setting up the women’s program at the Sydney Stingers water polo club in 2018 and was proud to play with the Stingers in the competitive division at the 2018 World Gay Games in Paris. Emily is passionate about inclusion of LGBTIQ women both in and out of the sporting field and is looking forward to seeing high participation rates of LGBTIQ women at Melbourne 2020.

What it means being an IGLA Ambassador“Waterpolo is the best sport in the world. I'm proud to be a Melbourne2020 ambassador and the opportunity to give back to the sport that has brought me immense joy, strength and friendships.”

- Emily Scott

Emily Scott

Melbourne2020 IGLA ChampionshipsOur Ambassadors – Diving (AU)BioMathew Helm is a three time Olympian (Sydney 2000, Athens 2004, Beijing 2008) and has achieved medals in Olympic, World Championship and Commonwealth competition, including two gold medals at the Melbourne Commonwealth Games at the very pool that will be used for IGLA 2020! Helm's individual 10m platform silver medal at the Athens Olympics was the first individual diving medal by an Australian male in 84 years. Now a diving coach with the West Australian Institute of Sport, Mat has also begun playing hockey with Perth’s LGBTIQ team the Pythons.

What it means being an IGLA Ambassador“I think I have been really fortunate to have grown up, and compete in a sport where being gay was widely accepted, so I always felt that I belonged, and I didn’t need to hide who I was, or my sexual identity. I believe that having a gay and lesbian aquatics championships is an opportunity for athletes, or anyone wanting to get involved in aquatic sports, to train and compete in an environment that celebrates diversity, inclusivity, acceptance and tolerance.”

- Mathew Helm

Mathew Helm

Melbourne2020 IGLA ChampionshipsOur All Inclusive Social Events

Thur 20 FebruaryOpening night movie and welcome drinks

Sun 23 FebruaryQOTP drag night and party at Sircuit

Sat 22 FebruaryOfficial Party Sponsor, Poof Doof club night

Tue 25 FebruaryClosing Beach Sunset Party

Wed 26 FebruaryWildlife and Winery Excursion

Fri 21 Feb Social drinks at The Emerson

Sun 23 FebruaryAFLW Match – big group attendance at Ikon Park

Sun 23 FebruaryDinner – celebrating women in sport

Mon 24 FebruaryFrench Picnic at Queen Victoria Park

Sat 22 FebruaryIGLA Opening Ceremony at MSAC

Melbourne2020 IGLA ChampionshipsOur All Inclusive Social Events

Time: 6:30pmVenue: Cinema NOVA, Lygon Street, Carlton

To celebrate the start of Melbourne2020 IGLA Championships Summer Together Down Under and in association with Melbourne Queer Film Festival, come along to our OPENING NIGHT FILM AND WELCOME DRINKS. Meet other IGLA competitors, enjoy a screening of a queer movie at one of biggest independent cinemas in the southern hemisphere. Then, mingle over some drinks at a locally loved Melbourne rooftop bar.

Get your tickets via melbourne2020.square.site – look for Thursday Opening Night - Movie Night Tickets

Thur 20 FebruaryOpening night movie and welcome drinks

Fri 21 Feb Social drinks at The Emerson

Time: Friday, 21 February 7:30pmVenue: The Emerson, 143-145 Commercial Rd, South Yarra, Prahran, Victoria

Social drinks are planned on the Friday at the gorgeous Emerson Rooftop Bar and Club for an elegant and casual night on the town. Check out the Facebook event here.

Melbourne2020 IGLA ChampionshipsOur All Inclusive Social Events

Time: Saturday, 22 February 11am – 11:30amVenue: Melbourne Sports and Aquatics Centre

A big welcome to all who have travelled far and wide to join in the Melbourne2020 IGLA Championships. Join us on for the official Opening Ceremony on Saturday 22 February at 11am at Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre to celebrate the start of our Summer Together Down Under.

Enjoy entertainment to delight your senses, welcome address from officials and noteworthy speakers to welcome all to the championships. We are hoping to see you all pool side for this opening ceremony to join in the celebration. Free to join, just come along.

Sat 22 FebruaryIGLA Opening Ceremony at MSAC

Time: 10:30pm – 6amVenue: Chasers Venue, 386 Chapel Street, South Yarra, VIC 3141Tickets: Get tickets through EventBrite here.

What better way to let off some steam after going hard in the pool than to doof with your fellow poof! IGLA's premier party sponsor - poof doof - are a delivering a rave after the waves with the legendary john course headlining the party on 22nd february! With the IGLA championships in full swing and sydney gay and lesbian mardi gras just one week away, poof doof are sending their doofers and the IGLA crew off with a bang! John course is joined by international super star dj bride [swe] and local champs jive wilsonand javi morley delivering the best in house and tech. Pop fans never fear - snap crackle pop upstairs will be poppin' off with DJ Jason Conti, duchess kay and a very special performance by bathsheba!

Sat 22 FebruaryOfficial Party Sponsor, Poof Doof club night

Melbourne2020 IGLA ChampionshipsOur All Inclusive Social Events

Sun 23 FebruaryQOTP drag night and party

Time: 8PM til late.Venue: Sircuit, 103-105 Smith Street, Fitzroy, Victoria

Melbourne2020 IGLA Championships will host a drag night to bedazzle the Melbourne stage and entertain our competitors, friends and spectators. We can't have IGLA without the famous Drag Amateur Night! Whether you a seasoned queen/king on stage, or just fresh fish in the Melbourne Bay, showcase your entertaining skills. This ticketed event is FREE for Melbourne2020 IGLA participants. You can find more information about the event at the links below. Usual entry price for non-IGLA participants will remain to be purchased at the door on the night.Cost: Melbourne2020 IGLA Competitors (Free at melbourne2020.square.site ), General Public / non-competitors: Sircuit entry price (~$20)

Mon 24 FebruaryFrench Picnic at Queen Victoria Gardens

Time: Monday, 24 February 7:30pmVenue: ‘M Pavillion’ at Queen Victoria Gardens. Opposite the Arts Centre on St Kilda Road, Melbourne.

‘The French Rendevouz – Be French Your Own Way’. This French-themed evening celebrates the friendship in the International Gay and Lesbian Aquatic (IGLA) LGBTQ+ community. Come dressed up in your best french-wear and celebrate with Melbourne2020 IGLA community for a pic-nic in the park with apéritifs, musique et amusement *chef kiss* Check out the Facebook event here.

Melbourne2020 IGLA ChampionshipsOur All Inclusive Social Events

Time: 2:15pm – 5:30pmVenue: Ikon Park, Royal Parade, Carlton North VIC 3054

As part of the Melbourne2020 IGLA Women's Events series, join a group of us at the Australian Rules Football Women's League to see Richmond take on North Melbourne. On the Day, meet at 2:15pm in front of the Entrance Gate at IKON Park, as there will likely be a big group attending, we will want to sit together so please arrive early.

Since the sound of that first siren in 2017, AFLW has unearthed a whole new footy community. It’s all ages, all ethnicities, all abilities, all genders. It’s more than the game itself. It’s kids growing up unaware that footy wasn’t always for girls. Check out the Facebook Event here.

Sun 23 FebruaryAFLW Match – Richmond vs. North Melbourne

Time: 6pm - 8pmVenue: Il Gambero, Lygon Street, Carlton

As part of the Melbourne2020 IGLA Women's Events series, join a group of us at the official Women's Dinner and drink after an AFLW match on the Sunday afternoon during the IGLA Championships.

Meet with like-minded people in honour of women in sport – Our Melbourne2020 registrants come from around the world, this dinner is a great opportunity to celebrate the achievements and love of women in sport united across country borders.

Book your spot at the table at our booking site melbourne2020.square.site

Sun 23 FebruaryDinner – celebrating women in sport

Melbourne2020 IGLA ChampionshipsOur All Inclusive Social Events

Time: 6:30pm – 11:30pmVenue: West Beach Bathers Pavilion

Say farewell to the Melbourne2020 IGLA Championships and celebrate your new friends, achievements and all the great times with the official Beach Sunset Closing Party – a night to remember.

With DJ Jason Conti on decks playing some pumping tunes, get your tickets to one of the hottest parties in the Melbourne2020 Social Calendar and dance the night in the sunset golden hour at one of Melbourne’s favourite beach-side venues.

Tickets available at our booking site melbourne2020.square.site Drinks and Nibbles included.

Time: 8:30am – 5:00pmVenue: Pick Up from Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre Main Entrance

An all-day Victorian bus tour from Melbourne to outer Victorian nature sanctuaries. Throughout the day you will have the opportunity to enjoy a serene bush walk through the internationally renowned William Ricketts Sanctuary. You will see and meet some local animals like kangaroos and koalas as you traverse the stunning bush land haven, Healesville Sanctury. A complimentary glass of wine is included in the package to enjoy overlooking the gorgeous scenery at Domaine Chandon winery.

Due the nature of the trip it is important to register early at our booking site melbourne2020.square.site

Tue 25 FebruaryClosing Beach Sunset Party

Wed 26 FebruaryWildlife and Winery Excursion

Melbourne2020 IGLA ChampionshipsOur Press Pass Information

Key Media Opportunities20 February - Opening Movie nightRepresentatives from City of Melbourne, Ambassadors in attendance at the opening night film where an international gay film being premiered (with MQFF support). The film’s director will also be present.

22 February - Opening Ceremony Minister for Equality opening the event, Mayor of Port Phillip, Opening ceremony performance, Exhibition relay featuring ambassadors, Australian Swim team members and local swimmers.

25 February - Pink Flamingo A sport that combines dance, drag and Artistic swimming resulting in a great visual spectacle.

20-25 February - Interviews with our diverse attendees and sponsorsWith over 600 competitors from 16 countries. Our competitors have great stories to tell some detailed on the next page.

Press PassesTo be considered for a press pass to the Melbourne2020 International Gay and Lesbian Aquatics Championships, fill in the form at the link here: https://melbourne2020.org/about/media-centre

For any other enquiries email us: media@melbourne2020.org

Last Year’s Host Club

“After an exciting year hosting IGLA 2019, World Pride and Stonewall 50th, Team New York Aquatics is thrilled to have such a strong presence at Melbourne 2020! We are excited to represent our city and community as we carry on this global tradition. For some, this will mark their 22nd IGLA, while others will be experiencing it for the very first time. Our swimmers, water polo players, and synchronized swimmers are humbled to compete with our fellow proud athletes in this year’s championship. We look forward to this week of competing and connecting around the one thing we all love most: The water.”- Team New York Aquatics

Columbia Aquatics Swimmers

District of Columbia Aquatics Club (DCAC) will be bringing 25 swimmers to the IGLA Championships in Melbourne. Included on the team are five first-time IGLA attendees. DCAC swimmer/coach Jerry Frentsos will be attempting to break the FINA world records in the 200 IM and 400 IM

90 Year Old Female Attempting a 1500m National Record

A Melbourne2020 IGLA Competitor is a 90 year old female swimmer attempting a National Record in the 1500m race

Melbourne2020 IGLA ChampionshipsSpecial stories from our competitors

Uganda Kuchus Aquatic Team Scholarship

Melbourne2020 and IGLA have provided a $7,500 USD scholarship to the Ugandan KuchusAquatics Team (UKAT) the scholarship program aims to support people who would otherwise have difficulty attending the championships –the UKAT team are launching their own fundraising campaign to support their cause:

https://www.gofundme.com/f/uganda-kuchus-in-australia

Melbourne2020 IGLA ChampionshipsThank you to our Sponsors

Diamond Sponsor Platinum Sponsors Gold Sponsors Silver Sponsors

Our Sponsors are welcome to attend our events and have been invited to open

activations during the championships at Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre