Minnesota GLBT Soccer

During December we will play pick up games on Wednesdays from 8:30 - 10:30 PM at Corner Kick Indoor Soccer in Maplewood. As always, each player will kick in $10 towards the cost of the field. Players should bring a white t-shirt, a black t-shirt, and also an orange t-shirt so that we can split into three visually distinct teams. New players are always welcome to join us. We will play pick up games on December 5, 12, 19, and 26.

Last week Sophie, a photographer from Lavender Magazine, photographed us during our pick up game. We also submitted a press release (below) to them in the hopes that more people will find out about us and want to get involved.

Several players signed up for league play, and as it stands now, our co-ed team Orange Crush will have teams playing on Sunday and Monday. Our affiliate men's team The Matrix will play on Tuesdays. We have room for more players on these teams, especially for female players. To see the current rosters, see this link: teams.pdf Players should get fees to JB or Andrew ASAP. Email mnglbtsoccer@gmail.com if you would still like to get on a team roster. These teams will begin play in January

Pick up game attendance for the last three weeks has been 19, 21, and 18 players. Players reacted very favorably to our pick up game lasting for two hours instead of sharing the field for only a single hour. New players have joined us each of the last three weeks, this is a a trend that we want to continue.

Labels: co-ed league, gay, league, lesbian, soccer, Wednesday

Minneapolis, MN, Nov 29 — Minnesota GLBT Soccer, the Twin Cities' GLBTA soccer organization, is gearing up to celebrate their first year on the local athletic scene. Their competitive team, Orange Crush, will be holding a party at Camp Bar at 490 N. Robert in St. Paul on Saturday, January 26th, 2008 at 8:00 p.m. In addition to marking the first anniversary of the organization, this celebration will raise funds for bringing national teams to the Twin Cities and sending the Minnesota team to compete in regional and national tournaments.

Minnesota GLBT Soccer was formed in January of 2007 to provide a welcoming place for people of all ethnicities, genders, and sexual orientations to explore the game of soccer and improve their skills in a fun, relaxed and community-based atmosphere. Skill levels range from people who have never played to some with college level experience, and the players range in age from 18 to late 40s. Organization founder JB Becker said, “We welcome all skill levels and anyone who is interested is welcome to participate.”

Minnesota GLBT Soccer hosts weekly indoor soccer pick up games on Wednesday evening through the winter. In addition, the organization fields a co-ed team, Orange Crush, which competes in local soccer leagues several days a week year round, both indoor and outdoor games.

Orange Crush player Andy Birkey has been with the organization since the beginning. "A lot of GLBT folks didn’t have the opportunity or didn’t feel comfortable playing competitive sports growing up," he said. “What we are creating is a space for members of the GLBT community to play the world’s most popular sport, soccer, in an environment that’s welcoming and affirming. It’s a great place to get fit, meet new people, and have a lot of fun.”

New players are always welcome to join us for Wednesday night pick up games and upcoming league play. New players interested in playing and businesses interested in supporting Minnesota GLBT Soccer may contact JB Becker at mnglbtsoccer@gmail.org and more information is available at the organization website at www.mnglbtsoccer.com .

MN GLBT Soccer provides GLBTA people a fun and supportive place to explore the joys and benefits of soccer.

Labels: GLBT soccer team, minneapolis, minnesota

On Wednesday, November 28, we will play a pick up game at 8:30 PM at Corner Kick Indoor Soccer in Maplewood. We have rented the field from 8:30 PM to 10:30 PM. If possible, players should arrive by 8:15 PM. Since we now have two hours of play time, you may also come late and be assured that you will still get adequate play time. You may also leave at any time, don't feel like you have to stay the whole two hours if that is not in the cards for you. We will continue to ask each player to kick in $10 (total, not per hour) towards the cost of the field.

Players should bring a white t-shirt, a black t-shirt, and also an orange t-shirt so that we can split into three visually distinct teams. New players are welcome to join us.

Here is a link to a Google Map to Corner Kick Indoor Soccer.

If you indicated last week that you are interested in playing on a league, on Sunday (Orange Crush co-ed), Monday night (Orange Crush co-ed), or Tuesday night (Matrix men's), we will be collecting money from you this week. Please bring your checkbook. If you are interested in league play but did not attend last week, you can still get on one or more teams. Again, bring your checkbook, we are asking players for $80 to be put on a team roster. These teams will begin play the first week in January 2008.

Labels: co-ed league, GLBT soccer team, league play, maplewood, Matrix, minneapolis, minnesota, Orange Crush, soccer fields, Wednesday

On Wednesday, November 21, we will play a pick up game at 8:30 PM at Corner Kick Indoor Soccer in Maplewood. We have rented the field from 8:30 PM to 9:30 PM. Players should arrive by 8:15 PM. Each player will kick in $10 towards the cost of the field. Players should bring a white t-shirt, a black t-shirt, and also an orange t-shirt so that we can split into three visually distinct teams. New players are welcome to join us.

Here is a link to a Google Map to Corner Kick Indoor Soccer.

After the pick up game, we will be having sign ups for upcoming team league play. If you cannot come on Wednesday, we will also be sending out information regarding league play opportunities early next week. At this point we are planning to field several teams with openings for players. If you are planning to sign up for a team, please bring your checkbook.

Also due to the success of our Wednesday night pick up games, starting November 28, our Wednesday night pick up games will last for two hours instead of one hour. This means we will be renting the field from 8:30 to 10:30 PM on Wednesdays.

Labels: GLBT soccer team, league play, maplewood, minneapolis, minnesota, soccer, soccer fields, Wednesday

On Wednesday, November 14, we will play a pick up game at 8:30 PM at Corner Kick Indoor Soccer in Maplewood. We have rented the field from 8:30 PM to 9:30 PM. Players should arrive by 8:15 PM. Each player will kick in $10 towards the cost of the field. Players should bring a white t-shirt, a black t-shirt, and also an orange t-shirt so that we can split into three visually distinct teams.

Here is a link to a Google Map to Corner Kick Indoor Soccer.

New players are welcome to join us.

Thanks to everyone that came to the fund raising party on Friday night of last week. Everyone had a good time and we raised some cash for the team.

Also it is time to start thinking about putting together league play for the second indoor season that starts the first week in January. Organizations with adult league play include Corner Kick in Maplewood Soccer Blast in Burnsville and City Sports Connection with various venues around the metro area.

Labels: bisexual, gay, league play, lesbian, soccer fields, straight, transgender, Wednesday

Andrew did some research about gay soccer tournaments that are happening in 2008, and I have to admit that I am surprised by the number of opportunities that exist to travel and play soccer with GLBT teams. Here is his list.

New York Indoor Classic
March 28-30, 2008
New York, NY

Hotlanta Classic
May 23-27, 2008
Atlanta, GA

Toronto International Pride Cup
June 20-22, 2008
Toronto, Canada

IGLFA 2008 World Cup
August 24-30
London, England

2nd World OutGames
August 1-8, 2009
Copenhagen, Denmark

Gay Games
July 31-Aug 7, 2010
Cologne, Germany

Labels: GLBT, soccer, tournaments

On Wednesday, November 7, you are invited to play a pick up game at 8:30 PM at Corner Kick Indoor Soccer in Maplewood. We have rented the field from 8:30 PM to 9:30 PM. Players should arrive by 8:15 PM. Each player will kick in $10 towards the cost of the field. Players should bring a white t-shirt, a black t-shirt, and also an orange t-shirt so that we can split into two or possibly three visually distinct teams.

Here is a link to a Google Map to Corner Kick Indoor Soccer.

Labels: gay, lesbian, soccer, Wednesday