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Bravo to Montréal 2006!

The Board of GLISA would like to congratulate the team at Montréal 2006 for the extraordinary delivery of the recent Labour Day program of events. The professionalism of the Organising Committee, the unprecedented support from public officials and Montrealers as well as the enormous presence the 1st World Outgames already has in the city a year before the event left us all with the feeling that Montréal 2006 will be an unforgettable experience next year.

Executive Committee News
The recently elected Inaugural Board has shared that excitement worldwide upon returning home, and following our first Board meeting on 15 September, has adopted the Strategic Plan for 2006 and formed the Committees needed to fulfill the delivery of our vision. Of the six working committees, Membership Services, Sport Technical and Finance are the three mandated with the most deliverables. GLISA will continue to be a member-based organisation with a focus on sharing best practices and create a sound financial future for LGBT sport worldwide.

Teams and Groups!
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Hockey players from Colorado are heading to the Outgames!
The Colorado Gay Ice Hockey Association (CGIHA) announced in a press release on 14 September that their members unanimously voted to attend the 1st World Outgames in Montréal next summer, from 29 July to 5 August 2006. The Denver-based organisation will bring 3 co-ed teams and 2 women’s teams, for a total of 75 athletes.

“Athletes across the nation are faced with deciding between the competing events, which take place just one week apart in July 2006. The CGIHA athletes’ decision was both practical and political. The Montréal-based Les Dragons Ice Hockey Club and the larger gay and lesbian community have extensive experience in organising ice hockey tournaments. Montréal is widely regarded as having hosted very successful, financially solvent, and well-organised sports and cultural events like the recently completed FINA swim championships, the Black & Blue Festival, and the summer Pride Week celebration,” wrote the Denver-based organisation in its release.

The Melbourne Argonauts

The Melbourne Argonauts announced yesterday that they are gearing up for Montréal 2006 and the 1st World Outgames. Currently, 20 Argonauts are registered to make the journey from Melbourne to Montréal. Their members decided to have their principal focus on Montréal because the rowing will be held in the Olympic Basin (used for the 1976 Olympics), a fully buoyed international standard course and the Outgames regatta will also be listed in the FISA calendar - a "first" for a queer regatta.

“My experience in Montréal showed me that they have great facilities, that they are incredibly organised and have huge support from the city, provincial and federal governments. There is a feeling in the city that is very special, especially for an LGBT person. There are banners already up in the streets for the event next year, there is a buzz throughout the city for the Outgames, and from the Mayor to the customs officials to restaurant owners, the city knows we are coming and can't wait to host us. Canada is a world leader right now in the advancement of LGBT rights, and combined with Montréal's openness and flair for hosting world-class festivals, it seems to be becoming THE place to be next year,” said Peter Sagar, from the Melbourne Argonauts.