By KJ Philp, Jan. 1, 2015.
By now you’ve heard the “new year, new you” spiel countless times, but what does it actually mean? More exercise? Stricter diet?
Before you go confining yourself to a gym you don’t like or a radical meal plan, consider becoming involved in the LGBT community in a new way: by joining a local sports league.
Not only does Phoenix have a wide variety of leagues, teams and sports to choose from, but resolving to take up a new activity or recommit to an old favorite in 2015 could result camaraderie with a new circle of other active individuals as well as increased engagement in the community.
So, whether you’re a fair-weather fan, a fierce tailgater or ferocious competitor, here are the local sports leagues you need to know about in the year ahead.
BOWLING
PUGBA is a not-for-profit organization and a member tournament of the International Gay Bowling Organization. Local leagues are composed of bowlers of all ages and skill levels, from novice to lane shark.
Dates
Monday:
Our Gang | ourgangwl@gmail.com | AMF Scottsdale, 7300 E. Thomas Road, Scottsdale
Wednesday:
Laughlin Lambdas | stimpy1538@yahoo.com | Let It Roll Bowl, 8925 N. 12th St., Phoenix
Thursday:
Thursday Night 3-Ways | kdhoffman@mac.com | Let It Roll Bowl, 8925 N. 12th St., Phoenix
East Valley Pride | Btack40@cox.net | AMF Chandler, 1900 N. Arizona Ave., Chandler
Friday:
Family Affair | jbeghtol2@cox.net | Let It Roll Bowl, 8925 N. 12th St., Phoenix
Sunday:
People & Persons | peopleandpersons@aol.com | Let It Roll Bowl, 8925 N. 12th St., Phoenix
Deets
Website: pugba.prit.net
Facebook: facebook.com/gaybowlingphoenix
Phone: 480-310-7826
FOOTBALL
Website: arizonaassassins.com
Since 2003, the mission of PGFFL has been to provide members of the Phoenix LGBT and allied communities a safe place to experience personal growth while pursuing their athletic aspirations in a healthy environment, free from harassment and ridicule.Additionally, The PGFFL strives to use its fundraisers, cultural events and the sport of flag football itself to break down stereotypes, eliminate prejudice and discrimination, and to educate the general public about the LGBT community.
PGFFL’s home field is located at Coulter Park, Coulter Street between 15th and Seventh avenues.
Dates
Jan. 3: Player registration due
Jan. 10: Winter League preseason begins
Deets
Website: phoenixflagfootball.com
Facebook: facebook.com/pgffl
KICKBALL
Friends with Benefits is “everything you hoped kickball would be in fifth grade and a whole lot more.” This non-competitive group of adults – who openly admit to acting like elementary school students at recess (plus alcohol) – assembles every Sunday morning from Oct. 5 through April 24 at Indian Steele Park, 300 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix.
While the league is primarily made up of LGBT players, it is open to anyone 21 or older.
Dates
Registration for the spring 2015 season free agents is now open and the season “kicks” off Jan. 25.
Deets
Website: fwbkickball.com
Facebook: facebook.com/fwbkickball
Email: info@fwbkickball.com
Phone: 602-748-3029
RUGBY
Founded in 2004 as an “inclusive, and diverse rugby club,” this amateur rugby football club is now a member of the Arizona Rugby Union and one of the only Arizona rugby clubs that regularly tour outside of Arizona and overseas.
Dates
In-season practices take place Tuesdays and Thursdays from at 7 p.m. at Longview Elementary School, 1209 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix. The Storm is looking for players with various skill sets for participation within the organization on and off the field. Stay tuned for additional 2015 season information.
Deets
Website: phoenixstorm.org
Facebook: facebook.com/phoenixstormrugbyfootballclub
Email: info@phoenixstorm.org or headcoach@phoenixstorm.org
RUNNING
Formerly known as Arizona Frontrunners, Inc., the Phoenix Frontrunners (PHXFR) is a running and walking group for LGBT-identified and allied athletes, and also a chapter of International Front Runners.
Phoenix Frontrunners is committed to supporting our community in health and education by promoting the adoption of a healthy lifestyle through running and walking and through a wide range of educational material and classes to assist runners and walkers with their fitness goals.
Dates
The group meets Tuesdays at 6 p.m. Dreamy Draw Recreational Area, Northern Avenue at Piestewa Freeway (SR-51), Phoenix; Thursdays at 6 p.m. at Tempe Beach Park, 256 W. Rio Salado Parkway, Tempe; and Saturdays at 8 a.m. at Murphy’s Bridle Path (summer), 5999 N. Central Ave., Phoenix, or Papago Park (winter), 625 N. Galvin Parkway, Phoenix.
Deets
Website: wp.phxfr.org
Facebook: facebook.com/phoenixfrontrunners
Email: info@phxfr.org
Phone: 602-464-4719
SOFTBALL
Founded on 1993, Cactus Cities Softball League is the Southwest’s premier adult slow-pitch softball league for the greater Phoenix area’s LGBTQ community. CCSL is a member of the North American Gay Amateur Athletic Association (NAGAAA) and Amateur Sports Alliance of North America (ASANA) and is home of the Saguaro Cup.
The mission of the CCSL is to foster local, regional, national and international sports competition predominately for gays, lesbians and anyone dedicated to promotion of the amateur athletic experience for persons of all skill levels and abilities regardless of sexual orientation, gender, race, creed, religion or national origin.
Dates
Jan. 18 and 25: Spring season open play at Cesar Chavez Park (southwest field), 7858 S. 35th Ave., Laveen Village
Jan. 28: Spring season fees and roster deadline
Feb. 8 - May 3: Spring season play
Deets
Website: cactuscities.com
Facebook: facebook.com/cactuscities
SWIMMING
Practices take place at ASU Student Recreation Complex, 400 E Apache Blvd. Tempe, Mondays from 6:30-8 p.m. and Saturdays from 4:30-6 p.m., as well as Thursdays from6:30-8 p.m. at Christown YMCA, 5517 N. 17th Ave., Phoenix.
Website: phoenixsunfish.org
Facebook: Phoenix Sunfish Swim Team
TENNIS
Cactus Tennis Alliance
Launched on 2012 Cactus Tennis Alliance is the Phoenix affiliate of the Gay and Lesbian Tennis Alliance (GLTA). CTA serves to promote the sport of tennis within the Phoenix’s LGBT community, as well as promote the community within the sport of tennis.
Dates
Drop-in tennis takes place Fridays and Sundays at 7 p.m. on Fridays and Sundays at the Phoenix Tennis Center, 6330 N. 21st Ave., Phoenix. There is a $5 court and lights fee.
Deets
Website: cactustennis.org
Facebook: facebook.com/cactustennis
Email: cactustennis@outlook.com
Phone:602-753-7107
VOLLEYBALL
Arizona Gay Volleyball Association (outdoor/sand volleyball league)
Since its inception in 2003, the primary focus of Arizona Gay Volleyball Association (AZGV) has been to provide venues for adult volleyball competition and to develop people of all abilities and experience to participate in five levels of competition in (A, B, and C divisions in six-player format as well as A/B and B/C divisions in four-player format). Stay tuned for 2015 league dates and deadlines.
Dates
Games are played at three Phoenix locations:
Monday
Six-player format A division plays at Margaret T. Hance Park, 1134 N. Central Ave.
Six-player format division B plays at The Phoenix Place Hotel, 3600 N. Second Ave.
Six-player format C division plays at Indian Steele Park, 300 E. Indian School Road.
Tuesdays
Four-player format A/B and B/C divisions play at Steele Indian School Park, 300 E. Indian School Road.
Deets
Website: azgv.org
Facebook: facebook.com/azgvorg
Email: info@azgv.org
Desert Volleyball Alliance (indoor/court volleyball league)
DVA, a North American Gay Volleyball Association-affiliated league, is a non-profit organization that offers indoor volleyball for the LGBT community and its supporters of varying skill levels.
DVA meets at the following locations: American Sports Center, 755 N. 114th Ave., Avondale; Chris-Town YMCA, 5517 N. 17th Ave.,
Phoenix; Sports Club at City Square, 4000 N. Central Ave., Phoenix; and Sun Devil Fitness Complex, 400 E. Apache Blvd., Tempe.
Dates
Beginning Jan. 8: Thursday night open play for all skill levels at Sports Club at City Square ($5 to play; cash only).
Jan. 14: Open play (at the YMCA)
Jan. 21: First games of season
Deets
Website: desertvolleyball.com
Facebook: facebook.com/desertvolleyball
Email: info@desertvolleyball.com
Phone: 602-327-7491
