New National Gay Flag Football League Commissioner: Shigeo Iwamiya

NEW NATIONAL GAY FLAG FOOTBALL LEAGUE COMMISSIONER: SHIGEO IWAMIYA, SDL

BY CONNIE WARDMAN (SHE, HER, HERS)

"I WOULD LOVE TO SEE MORE PROFESSIONAL SPORTS LEADERS BE STRAIGHT ALLIES TO OUR COMMUNITY OR POTENTIALLY BE PART OF THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY AND BE A ROLE MODEL FOR OTHER LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY MEMBERS. "

Connie Wardman: The National Gay Flag Football League (NGFFL) recently had its election of officers and I am happy to introduce you to its new commissioner, my friend, Shigeo Iwamiya. Congratulations, Shigeo! How long have you been in your new role?

Shigeo Iwamiya: Approximately three weeks. I am still brand new to the role!

CW: I know how much you love this organization. What’s the best part of being involved with NGFFL from your perspective?

SI: Being able to hear the stories of our community. Everyone has a different path to finding NGFFL, but once our members are involved, they’re brought together with the common thread of Compete, Connect and Unite. I am thrilled to be part of this amazing organization that brings our community together through LGBTQ+ Flag Football.

CW: What has playing sports taught you?

SI: Sports has taught me the value of teamwork and also taught me to stay humble. I have never had a goal of becoming a professional athlete. In fact I am the furthest away from that. Instead I have always approached sports as a means to bring people together and build community. Those communities can all look different based on the types of sports people play. But there is no denying that sports bring people closer together.

CW: If someone is interested in becoming a member of the NGFFL, what would you want to share with that person, Shigeo?

SI: If someone is looking to play in a local league involved with the NGFFL, I would tell them to keep an open heart to the experience of being part of the community. The NGFFL may use flag football as a vehicle to bring the community together but people stay because of the friendships and bonds that people form. When you allow yourself to jump in, everything else falls into place. NGFFL-affiliated leagues include players that never have played flag football to former NCAA and professional athletes. No matter your skill level, there will be a place for you. I was someone who had never played football or flag football before joining so if I can do it, anyone can!

CW: I know you’ve spent time on the NGFFL board prior to being elected commissioner. What have you learned as a board member? SI: Being on the NGFFL board has taught me about leadership and the responsibility that comes with it. It was very profound for me to learn about the various perspectives that we have had as a board. And on many occasions I was humbled by the decisions we made as a group. I learned that leadership isn’t defined by the work you do, it’s defined by the opportunities you create for others.

CW: For those who may not know, can you please explain why sports are so important to the LGBTQ+ community?

SI: Because it creates a community in one of the most powerful ways. Many LGBTQ+ people self-select out of sports during their earlier years because they don’t feel safe due to things like bullying and homophobic language in locker rooms and on the fields. So when LGBTQ+ individuals see others involved in LGBTQ+ sports, it gives them hope and a chance to be involved in something that is now safe. It provides them an opportunity to build lifelong friendships, meet future partners and be able to build their self-confidence through belonging to a community of local LGBTQ+ sports teams, national leagues and international multi-sport competitions.

CW: What does sports diversity really mean to you, Shigeo?

SI: Sports diversity means a couple things for me. First, it speaks to the element of many different types of LGBTQ+ sports that can come together to build within our common interests and find ways to help each other through creating partnerships and stronger communities. It also means that our representation matters in the larger scope of sports as well. LGBTQ+ players, both in and out of the closet in the larger world of sports are everywhere. We need to make it safe for the sports worlds to accept that our difference makes us stronger and not let it continue to divide our communities. I would love to see more professional sports leaders be straight allies to our community or potentially be part of the LGBTQ+ community and be a role model for other LGBTQ+ community members.

CW: Again, congratulations Shigeo and thanks so much for your time. I speak for all of us at Compete in wishing you and all the members of the NGFFL a successful term to come!