Sport with a Queer twist
JOBURG - The rugby players from the social rugby club Wham are anything but ordinary. From transgender, transexual, gays, lesbians, circus folk, farm boys, drag kings, intersex, girlbois and boygirls, Wham is for everybody.
Since last year, the Wham team meet for weekly practice at Wits University. Under the direction of coach Kyla Mills, the team has flourished, as they play in friendly matches with other rugby teams.
On 13 September Wham squared off against the lesbian soccer team Chosen Few at Zoo Lake.
This match included a pre-round of soccer and formed part of the Gay and Lesbian Memory in Action’s (Gala’s) Queer Youth Exchange sports day. The exchange programme invited youth activists from across South Africa to spend the month of September in Johannesburg, and experience the city while learning more about basic rights all people deserve.
Some public events during the month include political schools and a youth forum discussion, as well as cultural events and tours of Joburg’s city spaces.
The youth activists were also challenged to play rugby against Chosen Few and Wham on the day. By the end of it all Chosen Few was able to beat Wham in soccer, and Wham beat the lesbian soccer team at rugby.
On 1 October Wham will face the Wits All Stars for an all-out battle, lalong with a Drag Queen match on 25 October.
The Wham team is recruiting, and any potential rugby players in the mood to tackle in a social environment at Wits, are welcome to join.
Details: gabrielh.khan@gmail.com
