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SPORTS DIVERSITY PLAYBOOK
THE POWER OF SPORTS COMMUNITY™ Welcome to the Preview Edition of our first-ever Compete Sports Diversity Playbook! The Compete Sports Diversity Council’s (CSDC) Playbook is designed to introduce our members to each other and to prospective sponsors and/or partners. Compete has been a labor of love since its inception back in 2006. And as an early leader in the sports diversity movement, we continue to be thrilled at the positive change and growth that’s continuing to take place. One of the things we realized along the way was a need for sports teams, leagues and organizations large and small to get to know one another and help one another out. There also needed to be a way for them to meet current and prospective corporate partners and sponsors as well as travel groups, CVBs, community groups and even individuals. The ability to work together made sense for everyone. What was needed was a way to harness the immense power of the overall sports community in a way that was in some way a win-win for everyone involved. To answer that need we created the Compete Sports Diversity Council and we’re very excited about the future of the CSDC. Our first official meeting consisted of three members. Today the CSDC has over 100 members. Some of our members are small, some are very large but they all want to open sports to all individuals no matter their race, gender, sexual orientation or disability. To see the Council grow is something everyone at Compete—and our members—are very proud of. And if you aren’t already a part of the CSDC, please accept my personal invitation to join us as we continue to lay a positive foundation for sports participation through our Five IDEAL Principles of Inclusion, Diversity, Equality, Acceptance and Leadership. Please visit our website at sportsdiversitycouncil.com. There you can:
• View our updated membership list
• Download our Membership Guide
• Check out our events calendar
• Sign up for a committee
• More to come
The Preview Edition will be updated and expanded when we launch our Fall/Winter Playbook later this year. With You,
Eric Carlyle, SDLT Publisher/CEO eric@competesportsdiversity.com @CompeteEric
www.Competesportsdiversity.com
COMPETE
5
Competition, COME FOR THE
STAY FOR THE FUN
Las Vegas is a proud supporter of the 13th annual Sin City Classic Sports Festival, the largest annual LGBT sporting event in the world. With more than 8,000 athletes competing in 24 different sports, let the fabulous games begin!
VisitLasVegas.com
SPORTS DIVERSITY PLAYBOOK
MEMBERSHIP ROSTER FOUNDING MEMBER ORGANIZATIONS MEMBER SINCE WEBSITE Compete Magazine 2014 competediversity.com Athlete Ally 2015 athleteally.org Federation of Gay Games (FGG) 2015 gaygames.org Greater Los Angeles Softball Association 2015 glasasoftball.org National Gay Flag Football League (NGFFL) 2015 ngffl.org North American Gay Amateur Athletic Alliance (NAGAAA) 2016 nagaaasoftball.org Sin City Classic Sports Festival 2015 sincityclassic.org
CHARTER MEMBER ORGANIZATIONS MEMBER SINCE WEBSITE Amateur Sports Alliance of North America (ASANA) 2017 asanaseries.org Connect Sports 2017 connectsports.com Desert AIDS Project 2015 desertaidsproject.org Detroit Sports Commission 2017 detroitsports.org Gay Men's Chorus Los Angeles (GMCLA) 2016 gmcla.org International Gay & Lesbian Football Association (IGLFA) 2018 iglfa.org International Gay Rodeo Association (IGRA) 2015 igra.com International Gay Bowling Organization (IGBO) 2018 igbo.org Las Vegas Pride 2015 lasvegaspride.org Major League Soccer (MLS) 2017 mlssoccer.com March To Equality 2016 marchtoequality.org Sports Diversity Awards (The Petey Awards) 2014 competediversity.com Richmond Region Tourism 2018 visitrichmond.com WeHo Dodgeball 2017 wehododgeball.com
GOLD MEMBER ORGANIZATIONS
MEMBER SINCE WEBSITE
AASB Meetings & Events 2018 Arizona Cardinals 2018 Arizona Coyotes 2018 Arizona Diamondbacks 2018 Arizona Gay Volleyball Association (AGVA) 2018 ASANA World Series 2017 Atlanta Women's Flag Football League 2018 AYF Sports 2018 Big Gay Frisbee 2018 Canadian Rockies Rodeo Association 2019 Canadian Rockies Rodeo North 2019 Cactus Cities Softball League 2018
aasitebuilder.com azcardinals.com nhl.com/coyotes mlb.com/dbacks azgv.org asanaseries.org
AYFHub.com bgfultimate.com crgra.com crgra.com cactuscities.org
8 COMPETE sports diversity playbook 2019
Capital Rugby Union 2018 rugby.org Cascade Flag Football 2019 cascadeflagfootball.org CASSSTRONG 2019 cassiniemann.com Cheer Los Angeles 2018 cheerla.com Chicago Metropolitan Sports Association (CSMA) 2018 chicagomsa.org Cloud Sports Network 2018 cloudsportsnetwork.com Columbus 2020 Gay Softball World Series 2019 clgsa.com Compete Golf Classic 2015 competediversity.com Compete Steel City Sports Festival 2018 competediversity.com Experience Scottsdale 2018 experiencescottsdale.com Federation Gaymers League 2018 gaymersleague.com Fountain City Roller Derby 2019 fountaincityrollerderby.com Gay & Lesbian Rodeo Heritage Foundation 2019 www.gayrodeohistory.org Gay and Lesbian Tennis Association (GLTA) 2018 glta.net Gay Bowl XIX 2019 gaybowl.org Gay Games Hong Kong 2018 gaygameshk2022.com Gay Kickball 2019 gaykickball.com Gay Polo League (GPL) 2017 gaypolo.com Gay Softball World Series 2019 2017 cometoplay.org Gay Softball World Series 2020 2019 nagaaasoftball.org Globaux Source 2019 globauxsource.com Greater Denver Area Sports Association (GDASA) 2019 greaterdenverasa.org Innovative Menswear 2017 innovative-menswear.myshopify.com Kansas City Center for Inclusion 2019 inclusivekc.org Kansas City Women's Sports Association 2019 KC Jazz 2019 kcjazzwrfc.com KC Storm 2019 kcstormfootball.com Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) 2018 lvcva.com LGBT Kansas City 2019 lgbtkc.com Los Angeles Volleyball Organization (LAVO) 2017 playlavo.org Lynn Lewis Foundation Tournament 2017 lynnlewisfoundation.com Man Up Woman Up 2018 manupflagfootball.com Melbourne 2020 IGLA Championships 2019 melbourne2020.org Missouri Gay Rodeo Association 2019 mgra.us National Football League (NFL) 2019 nfl.com National Gay Basketball Association (NGBA) 2018 ngba.org North American Cup 2018 usadodgeball.com
SPORTS DIVERSITY PLAYBOOK North American Gay Soccer Association 2016 nagaaasoftball.org Phoenix Frontrunners 2017 phxfr.org Phoenix Gay Flag Football League (PGFFL) 2018 pgffl.com Pop Sports 2018 wehododgeball.com Pride Bowl 2017 chicagomsa.org Pride Card Services 2018 pridecardservices.com Pride Run Series 2017 priderunseries.com Richmond Sports Jubilee 2018 competediversity.om Samual James Watches 2019 samueljameswatches.com Saguaro Cup 2018 saguarocup.com Salt Lake City Unity Fest 2018 saltlakeunityfest.com Sea Bowl 2019 seabowl.leagueapps.com/tournaments Showtime Sports 2018 showtimesportz.com Snell & Wilmer LLP 2016 swlaw.com Spikeball 2019 spikeball.com SportsPittsburgh 2018 sportspittsburgh.com Steel City Sports Festival 2018 competediversity.com Sunshine Cup 2017 sfffl.org Tempe Tourism Office 2018 tempetourism.com Varsity Gay League (VGL) 2017 varsitygayleague.com USA Dodgeball 2018 usadodgeball.com Visit Buffalo & Niagara Falls 2018 visitbuffaloniagara.com Visit Mesa 2018 visitmesa.com Visit Ogden 2018 visitogden.com VisitPittsburgh 2018 visitpittsburgh.com Visit Salt Lake 2018 visitsaltlake.com Visit Savannah 2018 visitsavannah.com Visit Tucson Sports 2019 visittucson.org Visit Winston-Salem 2018 visitwinstonsalem.com WeHo Sports Festival 2017 wehosportsfestival.com World Class Cheerleading 2018 wccheer.com Yin Hospitality 2018 yinhospitality.com
CHANGE CHAMPION ORGANIZATIONS MEMBER SINCE WEBSITE Camp Camp 2018 campcamp.com Chicago Southland 2018 visitchicagosouthland.com King's Inn San Diego 2018 kingsinnsandiego.com L'Opossum 2018 lopossum.com Visit Knoxville 2019 visitknoxville.com Visit Overland Park 2019 visitoverlandpark.com DoubleTree by Hilton Phoenix/Tempe 2018 doubletree3.com
INDIVIDUAL GOLD MEMBERS
MEMBER SINCE
Chuck Browning, IGRA Trustee John Deffee, NAGAAA Board Member Dr. William Kapfer, JP Morgan Chase Brett Klein, Founding Member David Kopay, retired NFL Athlete Bryan Lee, Anti-Bullying Expert Sam Lehman, NAGAAA & NGFFL Board Member Chip McKenny, Gay Polo Founder Alexis Levi, Sports Pioneer Scott Norton, former Pro Bowler, PBA Champion R. Tony Smith, former FGG Board Member Garrett Patiani, Qlife Co-Publisher, Gaymers League Founder Micah Porter, Track Coach, Sports Pioneer Dr. Jen Welter, First-Ever Female NFL Coach Nance Wernes, Sports Pioneer Russ White, Qlife Publisher
2018 2019 2014 2015 2016 2018 2019 2019 2017 2016 2015 2019 2016 2017 2019 2019
MEMBER SINCE
UN C IL
COMPE
www.Competesportsdiversity.com
TE
CO
TE
Y
Eric Carlyle, SDLT 2017 T S D I V ERS IT OR Derek Dawson, SDLT 2018 P S Raleigh Dombek, SDLT 2018 Jared Garduno, SDLT 2017 Barbara Harwell, SDLT 2017 Jerrine Lee, SDLT 2019 Jim McMichael, SDLT 2019 Clay Partain, SDLT 2019 Matthew Robinette, SDLT 2018 Crista Tompson, SDLT 2018 Connie Wardman, SDLT 2017
O SP
COMPE
SPORTS DIVERSITY LEADER TRAVEL DESIGNEES
MEMBER SINCE Ryan Adams, SDL 2018Â Chris Balton, SDL 2017 Letwon Canton, SDL 2018 Nina Coles, SDL 2017 Congresswoman Sherice Davids, SDL; Honorary 2019 Gale Fitzgerald, SDL 2018 Terri Goddard, SDL 2019 Kimberly Hadley, SDL 2018 Patrick Higgins, SDL 2017 Shigeo Iwamiya, SDL 2018 Catherine "CJ" Kelly, SDL 2017 Molly Lenore, SDL 2017 Doug Litwin, SDL 2016 Rick Mass, SDL 2018 Larry Ruiz, SDL 2018 Ken Scearce, SDL 2018 Angela Smith, SDL 2017 Dirk Smith, SDL 2017 Scott Switzer, SDL 2018 Thurman Williams, SDL 2017 SPORTS DIVERSITY LEADER DESIGNEE
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SPORTS DIVERSITY PLAYBOOK
HARNESSING THE POWER OF THE SPORTS COMMUNITY BY IAN COLGATE
As positive reactions about the Compete Sports Diversity Council (CSDC) continue to spread, there are many individuals and organizations who have questions about the CSDC. I recently sat down with Jared Garduno, SDLT, the CSDC vice president to get some answers. Ian Colgate: Exactly what is the Compete Sports Diversity Council, or CSDC as most people call it? Jared Garduno: The CSDC is an organization comprised of over 100 members; that includes sports leagues, sports organizations, sports tournaments, nonprofit groups, corporate partners, convention & visitors bureaus, community groups and even individuals. “We Harness the Power of Sports Community” by connecting, supporting, mentoring and building our organizations together. As a membership community, the CSDC educates and unites our members to build a more diverse, powerful and prosperous sports community and to connect recreational and professional sports organizations. It also connects sports leaders not only with their peers but also with corporate and community partners, including corporate sponsors and travel and tourism providers. The CSDC also educates and unites its members through its Sports Diversity Leader (SDL) Designation Program, Member Certification Program and CSDC Huddles (influencers). Educational opportunities include conferences, one-on-one mentoring, webinars and virtual courses. IC: Can you give me an example of what some of your members have experienced? JG: Sure. We have members of all sizes and interests. One of our first members was the Pride Run Series. They produce a series of races and their largest race attracts over 1,000 participants. The Arizona Diamondbacks and NFL joined last year. The Detroit Sports Commission was our first Certified sports commission and Pride Card Services is a corporate partner that gives up to 20% of its earnings back to non-profits. Congresswoman Sharice Davids was presented with a membership and honorary SDL designation at a recent CSDC event in Overland Park, Kansas. I think you can see from these examples that while our members are all very different in size and scope, they are still a part of the larger sports community. They realize the
10 COMPETE sports diversity playbook 2019
benefits of being part of a larger group that both supports and advocates for sports diversity, inclusion acceptance and equality. IC: What is the CSDC’s mission and how did you come up with it? JG: The Compete Sports Diversity Council really is a global network of LGBTQ+ athletes, sports fans, leaders and allies sharing resources and connections that empower our community and promote diversity and inclusion. And we built the organization on our Five IDEAL Principles Pledge that stands for – Inclusion, Diversity, Equality, Acceptance and Leadership. IC: You’ve mentioned your SDL Designation and Member Certification Program. Can you please explain the difference between them? JG: The SDL (Sports Diversity Leader) Designation is awarded to individuals who want to promote sports diversity. The prospective SDL Designee must sign our IDEAL Principles Pledge, complete an application and eight online courses and can then add the SDL designation after his, her or they name. Member Certification is designed for organizations that want to demonstrate their commitment to sports diversity. Certified Members must sign our IDEAL Principles Pledge and complete an application as well. The Certified Member organization must also maintain at least one person within the organization, either an employee or volunteer, who is an SDL Designee at all times. IC: How can interested organizations or individuals join the CSDC? JG: Prospective members can check us out online at sportsdiversitycouncil.com. Current members can also check out open committee positions. IC: What is the best way for organizations or individuals to contact you? JG:
Through
our
website
or
jared@competesportsdiversity.com.
by
at
SAMUEL JAMES WATCHES IS DONATING $10 FROM EACH SALE TO AN LGBTQ NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION. WWW.SAMUELJAMESWATCHES.COM
SPORTS DIVERSITY PLAYBOOK
OGDEN – UNIQUELY BY ANISSA BROWN, SDL
When
the
Transcontinental
Railroad
was
Visitors experience warm hospitality as they
completed 150 years ago, Ogden became the “Junction
explore Ogden’s historic and creative districts, play in its
City” between the Union Pacific and Central Pacific
entertainment district or on its abundant rivers, lakes,
Railroads. It was said, “You can’t go anywhere without
trails and mountains. Public art seems to be everywhere,
coming to Ogden.” As a result, this historic city at the
from colorful murals and sculptures to painted street
base of the stunning Wasatch Mountains has long been
pianos, live music, theater, dance and performance art.
the Beehive State’s most diverse and welcoming city.
Simply put, no other city in the United States offers
The gambling halls, opium dens, and brothels that
Ogden’s unique mixture of mountain and metro culture.
existed during the rough-and-tumble days of prohibition
And no other city could more proudly proclaim the
have transformed into eclectic eateries, art galleries,
description, “Notoriously Independent.”
and brewpubs. The national- and world-championship events it regularly hosts embrace people of all races, cultures, sexualities and backgrounds.
Ogden is a city of celebration, from annual cultural festivals like Juneteenth, Ogden Pride, and the Ogden Hispanic Festival to the Harvest Moon Festival and Witchstock, the city is best summed up in two words: Inclusive and Independent. It is often called “The Other Utah.” 12 COMPETE sports diversity playbook 2019
SPORTS DIVERSITY PLAYBOOK
COMPETE SPORTS DIVERSITY COUNCIL COMMITTEES & MEMBERS LEADERSHIP COMMITTEE
EDUCATION COMMITTEE
Member:
Eric Carlyle, SDLT: Compete
Co-chair:
Master's Degree in Global Studies
John Deffee: NAGAAA
Shigeo Iwamiya, SDL: Master's
Jared Garduno, SDL: Compete
Degree in Higher Education from
Shigeo Iwamiya, SDL: NGFFL
Salisbury University; Interim
Sam Lehman: NAGAAA, NGFFL
Diversity & Inclusion Director at
Jake Mason, SDL: USA Dodgeball
Suffolk University; National Gay
Larry Ruiz, SDL: GLASA
Flag Football League (NGFFL) Board
Ken Scearce, SDL: Sin City Classic
Member; Gay Bowl Liaison.
Member:
Member:
Degree in Adult & Community
Angela Smith, SDL: ASANA Connie Wardman, SDLT: Compete
ADVISORS
Jerrine Lee, SDL: Master's Degree in Recreation, Parks and Sports Management from Virginia
Dr. William Kapfer, JP Morgan Chase
Commonwealth University; Sports
Akiva Lewis, Google
Development Manager at Richmond Region Tourism.
14 COMPETE sports diversity playbook 2019
Micah Porter, SDL (Pending): from University of Denver; Assistant Principal at Alameda International Jr./Sr. High School; International Studies Educator; Track & Field Coach.
Connie Wardman, SDLT: Master's Education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania; Executive Editor & Education Director at Compete Sports Diversity.
EVENTS: FOR A COMPLETE CALENDAR OF EVENTS PLEASE VISIT WWW. COMPETESPORTSDIVERSITY.COM AUTO RACING New Hampshire 301 Loudon, N.H., July 21
Show Me St. Louis Classic St. Louis, Mo., Aug. 30 CYCLING
Gander Outdoors 400 Long Pond, Pa., July 28
Tour de France Belgium-France, July 6-28
AQUATICS
DANCESPORT
Maryland Swim for Life Chestertown, Md., July 13 BASEBALL 2019 MLB All-Star Game Cleveland, July 7-10
DC OUT Washington, D.C., Aug. 29-Sept. 1 EXTREME SPORTS
BOWLING
Summer X Games Minneapolis, Aug. 1-4
Houston Invitational Houston, July 5
GOLF
Liberty Belle Invitational Philadelphia, July 5
British Open County Antrim, Northern Ireland, July 18-21
San Diego Invitational San Diego, Aug. 2 Go Bowling at the Glen Watkins Glen, N.Y., Aug. 4 Orbit Raleigh Bowling Invitational Tournament Raleigh, N.C., Aug. 29-Sept. 1 Las Vegas Showgirl Invitational Tournament Las Vegas, Aug. 30
MULTI-SPORT TOURNAMENTS American Games Lima, Peru, July 26-Aug.11 POWERLIFTING Blackpool 2019 LGBT International Powerlifting Championships Blackpool, Great Britain, July 19-21
RODEO Rocky Mountain Regional Rodeo Denver, July 5-7 Canadian Rockies Rodeo North Calgary, Alberta, Aug. 2-4 RUGBY Road to Rugby World Cup (U.S. vs Canada) Glendale, Colo., July 27 RUNNING San Diego Pride 5K Run & Walk San Diego, July 13 National Capital Pride Run (5K Run; 2.5K Walk) Ottawa, Ontario, Aug. 24 SOFTBALL Badgerland Classic Madison, Wis., July 5-7 Emerald City Classic Seattle, July 5-7 Northern Classic Toronto, Ontario, July 5-7 Liberty Classic Long Beach, Calif., July 5-7
Scissortail Shootout Oklahoma City, July 5-7
Vancouver International Vancouver, British Columbia, Aug. 3-5
MNSA Softball Classic Nashville, July 5-7 MAGIC Tournament Washington, D.C., July 5-7 Minuteman Softball Tournament Boston, July 19-21
2019 Second City Tennis Chicago, Aug. 9-11 New Hope Open 2019 Washington Crossing, Pa., Aug. 24-26 US Open. New York, Aug. 26-Sept.9
Indy’s Hit & Run Softball Tournament Indianapolis, July 26-28
2019 Peach International Atlanta, Aug. 31-Sept. 2
Portland Cup Portland, Ore., July 26-28 K-Town Klassic Knoxville, Aug. 2-4
Rose City Open 2019 Beaverton, Ore., Aug. 31-Sept. 2 VOLLEYBALL
Pacific Cup International Softball Tournament Vancouver, British Columbia, Aug. 9-11 TENNIS
Austin Summerfest Austin, July 27 Hotlanta Classic XXVI Atlanta, Aug. 3 Summer Smash Madison, Wis., Aug. 3
San Diego Open 34 San Diego, July 5-7
WSF Volleyball Los Angeles, Aug. 31
2019 Liberty Open New York, July 5-7
Labor of Love Classic 27 Columbus, Aug. 31
Philadelphia Open 2019 Philadelphia, July 20-22
A multi-day competition that brings together the LGBTQ community, united for sports and festivities.
S ALT
LAKE
UNITY FEST D ECEMBER 12-15, 2019
UNITY = VICTORY
SaltLakeUnityFest.com www.Competesportsdiversity.com
COMPETE
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SPORTS DIVERSITY PLAYBOOK
BUFFALO Are you looking for an area rich in history, culture, diversity and sports as well as one that welcomes LGBTQ+ athletes and fans? The Buffalo Niagara area fits the bill perfectly. Buffalo has become one of America’s most exciting stories of urban transformation as recently resettled immigrants, millennials, preservationists and creative types have reinvigorated the city like a cool Lake Erie breeze. These passionate Buffalonians have expanded its food scene, restored its architecture and revitalized its waterfront and neighborhoods.
CULTURE
SPORTS
Frank Lloyd Wright’s Martin House Complex just wrapped up 25 years and $52 million in reconstruction and restoration work and is open for tours. Along the city’s waterfront, formerly disused grain silos have been converted into a performance space for poets, musicians and artists as well as a playground for thrill seekers who zip line and rock climb among the structures. In addition to many wonderful art galleries, studios and outdoor exhibits, there are also wonderful ethnic festivals, concerts, beautiful gardens and more – all a graphic and living testament to Buffalo’s welcoming spirit.
If you love sports as much as we do, then Buffalo is definitely the place to visit. Buffalo is home to a number of professional sports teams, including the NFL’s Bills, NHL’s Sabres, NLL’s Bandits, Beauts Woman’s Pro Hockey, Queen City Roller Girls and AAA baseball’s Bisons. If you’re an LGBTQ+ recreational athlete coming to Buffalo to play your sport of choice, whether it is bowling, dodgeball or kickball for example, the City of Buffalo and its citizens are waiting to welcome you to this beautiful locale. Buffalo offers hotels, tournament and event venues for virtually every sport. We invite you to consider Buffalo Niagara not only for your leisure travel but also to help host your next sporting event. You can find out more of what Buffalo has to offer by visiting www.visitbuffaloniagara.com.
LGBTQ+ DIVERSITY If you are looking for a city that truly welcomes members of the LGBTQ+ community, the HRC has named Buffalo one of the best gay-friendly cities. If you visit the website of Visit Buffalo Niagara, the area’s Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB), you will notice a tab for “LGBTQ.” The CVB tells about the city’s LGBTQ+ history and even offers two itinerary options—a “Gay Itinerary” and a “Lesbian Itinerary.” We recommend you check out both options.
FOOD Buffalo is known the world over for great food thanks to Buffalo wings, created at the city’s Anchor Bar in 1964. A combination of historic regional specialties and immigrants infusing the city with flavors from around the world have made Buffalo one of America’s top food cities. Try Ethiopian, Laotian and Burmese options at the West Side Bazaar, a food incubator for recently resettled immigrants. A thriving craft beer, coffee and cocktail scene round out Buffalo’s burgeoning culinary landscape.
16 COMPETE sports diversity playbook 2019
WHERE TO STAY? We recommend Embassy Suites by Hilton Buffalo 200 Delaware Avenue New York, NY 14202 716.842.100 Embassy Suites Buffalo is a new contemporary hotel located in downtown Buffalo in the Avant. The Hotel is easily accessible to business and government offices, the Theater and Entertainment Districts and many restaurants. Each of the 182 two-room suites have dramatic glass wall views, designer furniture, finishes and wall coverings, two 32″ LCD televisions, and a wet bar with microwave, mini refrigerator and coffeemaker. Included in the daily room rate are a complimentary fully cooked-to-order breakfast and a complimentary twohour Evening Reception.
VisitTucson.org/Sports
match winning team ready to Experience an awardrfect facility. your event with the pe
A Variety of Venues with Off the Field Fun
100 HRC RA TING
Whatever the game, we’ve got a place for you to play. From preseason Major League Soccer to aquatics and cycling events, Tucson’s sporting venues can tackle it all. Take your play off the field and explore Tucson’s vibrant nightlife or indulge your culinary curiosity in a UNESCO City of Gastronomy. With over 300 days of sunshine, Tucson makes it easy to keep the game going.
Contact Luchie Javelosa LJavelosa@VisitTucson.org
520.770.2129
SPORTS DIVERSITY PLAYBOOK
CAPITAL RUGBY UNION STEPS UP TO EARN SPORTS
DIVERSITY CERTIFICATION BY CONNIE WARDMAN
C
apital Rugby Union has been selected by the Compete Sports Diversity Council (CSDC) to be the first rugby organization to become CSDC Certified. Headquartered in Richmond, Virginia, the certification demonstrates Capital Rugby’s commitment to sports diversity and speaks to rugby as one of the most inclusive sports played today. It also harkens back to the roots of the CSDC and Compete Magazine; both were founded by Eric Carlyle, a former rugby player with the Phoenix Storm Rugby Football Club, according to director of the CSDC, Jared Garduno. To earn the certification Capital Rugby Union will be required to complete an application process and sign the IDEAL Principles Pledge supporting diversity in sports. The Pledge stands for Inclusion, Diversity, Equality, Acceptance and Leadership. Capital Rugby Union also has nominated two board members to earn the Sports Diversity Leader (SDL) Designation. Those SDL Designees must complete an application, interview process and complete eight online education modules as well as demonstrate leadership and community service accomplishments. Matthew Robinette, president of Capital Rugby Union had this to say when asked about applying for CSDC Certification: “The Capital Rugby Union is excited to lead the United States Rugby community in terms of diversity training for leadership. The sport of rugby is growing in popularity in all demographics, including the LGBTQ+ ranks. The Union wants to ensure our member clubs and their leadership can recruit athletes, understand different populations and grow their club and the sport.” While some are surprised that Richmond is so open to diversity and inclusion, the forward thinking of Robinette and the Capital Rugby members goes back to 2013 when the Virginia Rugby Union and the Potomac Rugby Union consolidated ranks to become Capital Rugby Union. The organization now represents rugby players across the wide geographical areas of northern Virginia, Washington, D.C. and parts of Maryland and Pennsylvania. The reason for naming their new group Capital? They say the answer is easy since the new region includes the colonial capital of Williamsburg and the U.S. capital of Washington, D.C. (A note on their website reminds readers a capital is a seat of government while a capitol is a building.) “The fact is that I can only experience the world through my eyes. While I try to be open minded and understanding
18 COMPETE sports diversity playbook 2019
toward different populations,” said Robinette, “I don't always know what to say or do without offending. The partnership with the Compete Sports Diversity Council will demonstrate our commitment to becoming a progressive thought leader in the community, to provide value to our member clubs and to authenticate our Union's acceptance of all athletes. On behalf of the entire Board of the Capital Rugby Union – thank you for this opportunity and partnership!” Robinette has also applied for the SDL Designation.” Garduno expressed excitement in being able to work on certifying Capital Rugby Union as a leader in sports diversity. The group will join the CSDC membership organization now comprised of over 100 organizational and individual members representing over 100,000 member-participants. Members include local, regional and national sports organizations, businesses and individual members. In addition to membership, the CSDC certifies organizations as leaders in sports diversity and offers the SDL Designation program to individuals.
Photos by Colleen McCloskey
YEARS
FLORIDA SUNSHINE CUP
X
FEBRUARY 13-17, 2020
FLORIDA SUNSHINE CUP FORT LAUDERDALE, FL www.sfffl.org/tournaments
X
INDIVIDUAL PLAYER REGISTRATION: EARLY BIRD - $55 THROUGH 12/31/19
PRESENTED BY:
League
For Play, After Play A delightful sports destination
GREATER BIRMINGHAM CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU
sportsbirmingham.com | 800 - 458 - 8085
www.Competesportsdiversity.com GBCVB_4_625x3_625Æ’.indd 1
COMPETE
11/13/19 3:31 PM
19
SPORTS DIVERSITY PLAYBOOK
WINSTON-SALEM SHOWCASES TOP-PICK FACILITIES When it comes to sports, Winston-Salem’s got serious game. Whatever the sport, whatever the skill level, athletes of all ages know they can count on top-level
stadium field with seating for 1,400 and field house complete the complex. Countless
teams
have
gotten
“schooled”
in
venues ideally suited for youth, amateur or professional
Winston-Salem, thanks in part to an impressive and
events and competitions, inside and out. Pristine college
diverse base of collegiate venues and facilities at Wake
facilities, state-of-the-art indoor track, spacious arena,
Forest University, Winston-Salem State University, and
downtown convention center, well-maintained multipurpose fields – they’re all a part of the game plan in Winston-Salem. Set to open in 2019, RISE Indoor Sports will offer a 120,000 square foot indoor sport complex, featuring eight full-sized, hardwood basketball courts; five batting cages; turf training fields; and 16 volleyball courts with a seating capacity of up to 2,500 and 30-foot ceiling clearance.
four other notable colleges and universities. JDL Fast Track has quickly become one of the premier indoor track and field facilities in the southeast and houses a 200-meter oval track with a Mondotrack FTX surface, the same surface used at the 2008 and 2012 Olympic Games. Conveniently located in the heart of North Carolina, between the Blue Ridge Mountains and the
Just minutes from downtown Winston-Salem,
Atlantic coast, Winston-Salem enjoys four distinct, yet
RISE Indoor Sports is situated on 22 acres adjacent to
subtle seasons. In addition to its world-class athletic
BB&T Sports Park, which offers 13, full-sized soccer
facilities, Winston-Salem has more than 5,000 hotel
fields – 11 with lights. In January, the complex added
rooms, giving event organizers, and athletes a variety of
four artificial turf fields. Elevated viewing areas, a
lodging facilities from which to choose.
It is a tribute to Winston-Salem that the NCAA Championships were so successful. Your team provided outstanding leadership and did a great job. — John Kuzio Championships and Alliances, National Collegiate Athletic Association
North Carolina Contact: Bonny Bernat, CSEE Senior Sports and Events Sales Manager Bonny@VisitWinstonSalem.com 866-728-4200 main • 336-728-4215 direct
VisitWinstonSalem.com 22 COMPETE sports diversity playbook 2019
SPORTS DIVERSITY PLAYBOOK
FINDING VALUE IN HIS NEW LIFE BY CONNIE WARDMAN
I recently had the opportunity to interview Samuel James Rosenmayer, founder and owner of Samuel James Watches, Ltd. Sam, as he prefers to be called, is a millennial transgender man who is open about his life experiences. Recognizing the importance of visibility to remove the stigma of being transgender, he’s thoroughly open about his experiences, letting people know that his transition process opened the door to an authentic life where his body finally matched his gender identity. What’s particularly interesting is that in the process of transitioning, his artistic flair not only launched his watch business, it also awakened his philanthropic instincts. Growing up in Chicago as the youngest child in a conservative “yours, mine and ours” household, Sam revealed that by age five he felt something was wrong, that somehow “God messed up.” By ages six and seven he KNEW something was wrong. And by ages eight and nine he really was feeling a deep internal desire to be a boy. He knew his desire to change gender wouldn’t go over well with his devout Catholic mother so he continued trying (unsuccessfully) to suppress those feelings. By the time Sam came out at age 22, he did so as a lesbian and not only lost all his friends, he also didn’t know anyone in the LGBTQ+ community due to his conservative upbringing. He really emphasizes the importance of researching your local area for resources such as therapists, availability of hormones and places to stay, some of which may be free. With the help of family, new friends and some therapy, at 25 he finally decided to transition from female to male. While many think it is immediate joy and relief when you begin the transition process, Sam says it was a real challenge, again emphasizing the importance of therapy and finding a support network. He describes his first six months of transition as terrible. But that’s when his artistic talent and his love of watches kicked in and gave him a new focus. An enthusiastic watch collector, he’s always valued the unique looks and fine craftsmanship of older watches, seeing them as important jewelry. To pass the time Sam began to draw unique watches that were bold but also unisex in design. Receiving lots of positive feedback on his designs, he began researching how watches were made. The result? By age 26 he launched Samuel James Watches, Ltd. with watches that are distinctive, high-quality, dependable and yet affordable. Sam now donates $10 from every watch sale to non-profit organizations that are fighting to end human trafficking, protect our environment, suicide prevention and animal abuse prevention. The organizations change on a monthly basis but some of them include: Human Rights Campaign (HRC), The Trevor Project, GLSEN, the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children and the Humane Society of the U.S. Once Sam became the man he always knew he was without hiding, he was able to value himself as a worthy member of society. Sharing his transition experiences and his watches with others now feed both his body and soul. To view his collections of watches, go to www.SamuelJamesWatches.com.
24 COMPETE sports diversity playbook 2019
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2019 FACES OF SPORTS
NAGAAA’S NEW COMMISSIONER
BY CONNIE WARDMAN
Ten years ago Compete was honoring softball player John “JayJay” Deffee as its 2009 Athlete of the Year and this year it congratulates him as the new commissioner of NAGAAA, the North American Gay Amateur Athletic Alliance, the international association of gay and lesbian softball leagues. As the 11th commissioner since its founding in 1977, John is responsible for leading NAGAAA’s estimated 35,000-plus members that represent 46 member associations, 44 of which are in the U.S. and 2 in Canadian provinces. For those who know John, this should come as no surprise that he’s been tapped for such an important role. As Compete Magazine’s second Athlete of the Year he is, like all those chosen since the award’s inception in 2008, an outstanding athlete. But honorees of this award are also active leaders within the gay community – movers and shakers in their local LGBTQ+ communities as well as often serving on state, national and international levels. And that aptly describes John and his commitment to sports, to the LGBTQ+ community and to life itself. Born and raised in San Antonio, Texas, in spite of his busy schedule, John currently plays for Texas Force, an A division team with the Pegasus Slowpitch Softball Association (PSSA) in the Dallas, Texas league (yes, he regularly flies back and forth between Phoenix and Dallas).
His goals for the new decade will be to welcome and encourage new ideas and explore possibilities and areas the organization hasn’t explored before. “I think it is important,” he said “to be mindful of what this organization was founded for and why it was created. And while respecting those core values, move the organization forward and begin to adapt and slowly modify some pieces to meet what is happening in our current world.” When we look at John Deffee’s passage through the decade between 2009 and 2019, it has been amazing, filled with all the same important qualities that originally earned him the title of Compete Magazine’s Athlete of the Year in 2009. I think he best expressed the experience of
He says that NAGAAA “changed my life
the great number of gay and ally athletes everywhere and
forever. At the moment I didn’t know, realize or
in every team sport that gay sports are more than just a
even appreciate the impact it had or was going
sport and a competition; “this is a family reunion a few
to have. It truly had a large role in who I was to
times a year, a celebration of who we are.”
become as a person and as a professional with my career.”
26 COMPETE sports diversity playbook 2019
Congratulations to you, John Deffee – you have been named Compete's Visionary Athlete!
2019 FACES OF SPORTS
Photos by Michael Cueto
www.Competesportsdiversity.com
COMPETE
27
nagaaasoftball.org (636) 3NAGAAA Photo courtesy of the NAGAAA Archives
Save the Date
September 1-7, 2019 GSWS ‘19 - Kansas City gaysoftballworldseries.org
BGF SAN FRANCISCO Ultimate Frisbee Folsom Invitational San Francisco, California September 22
UPCOMING MEMBER EVENTS 2019 EVENTS SPIKEBALL ROUNDNET ASSOCIATION West Bonus Tour Stop Salt Lake City, Utah August 17
GAY KICKBALL Gay Kickball World Series Dallas, Texas October 4-6
AMATEUR SPORTS ALLIANCE OF NORTH AMERICA (ASANA) ASANA Series: Women’s Softball & 5K Run Long Beach, California August 24-31
NATIONAL GAY FLAG FOOTBALL LEAGUE (NGFFL) Gay Bowl XIX New York City, New York October 10-13
USA DODGEBALL Elite Dodgeball Nationals Austin, Texas August 30-September 1
AMERICA'S FINEST CITY SOFTBALL LEAGUE Autumn Classic San Diego, California October 11-13
NORTH AMERICAN GAY AMATEUR ATHLETIC ALLIANCE (NAGAAA) Gay Softball World Series Kansas City Kansas City, Missouri September 1-7
2020 EVENTS SIN CITY CLASSIC SPORTS FESTIVAL 24 Different Sports Las Vegas, Nevada January 16-19 INTERNATIONAL GAY & LESBIAN AQUATICS (IGLA) International Gay & Lesbian Aquatics Championships Melbourne, Australia February 20-25
INTERNATIONAL GAY BOWLING ORGANIZATION (IGBO) IGBO Mid-Year Conference & Tournament XXXIX Detroit, Michigan November 5-10
March 2020 • West Hollywood, CA • Andaz West Hollywood Hotel
SAVE THE DATE
Are you an inclusion-minded sporting event organizer or a global destination committed to diversity? At Connect Sports Diversity Events Summit, sporting event organizers and global destinations meet in face-to-face appointments and develop connections for future business.
For inquiries, contact Holly Anderson at hsanderson@connectmeetings.com.
30 COMPETE sports diversity playbook 2019
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