From basketball to wrestling, the San Diego LGBT community has many sporting opportunities throughout the year. If you are looking to join a team, or just want to be a fan on the sidelines, then here is a list of competitive leagues for your review.
(Editor’s Note: San Diego offers a lot of other outdoor activities, including bicycling, running, hiking and off-roading. This list only includes leagues that have organized teams, seasons and competitions.)
Basketball
San Diego Hoops has one more week of regular games before it starts it 2010/2011 season finals. The basketball league, which started in 1999 by and for gay and lesbian athletes, plays its last regular game Feb. 9, with quarterfinals beginning Feb. 16. After the March playoffs, the Hoops resume open gym games every Wednesday, 7-9 p.m. at the Golden Hills Recreation Center. sdhoops.net
Billiards
The San Diego Pool League just cued up its 2011 season, with games starting the middle of January. The 14-week season continues through April. Since 1978, the League has established itself as a fun, competitive sporting organization dedicated to fostering sportsmanship and goodwill. The League welcomes all newcomers. sdpool.org
Bowling
There are three gay bowling leagues in San Diego, each playing on different days of the week. The leagues play on Wednesday nights, Thursday nights and Sunday afternoons. For more information, contact Ron Sperry at 619-640-1633.
Darts
The Rainbow Dart League is a competitive league for the LGBT community. The group plays every Tuesday night at several bars throughout the community. All experience levels are welcome. For information about the next season, contact Rod George at rodsd@aol.com.
Flag Football
The 2011 season of the San Diego American Flag Football League (SDAFFL) is set to begin March 12. The San Diego group is one of California’s premier seven-on-seven flag football leagues. The SDAFFL is one of the largest flag football leagues of its kind in the United States with 12 teams and more than 170 players participating. sdffl.org
Rodeo
Cowboy up! The San Diego Rodeo is more than a rodeo. With a focus to further the growth, education, and charitable enjoyment of rodeo and the western life-style, these cowboys and cowgirls produce events and activities with something for everyone to enjoy. The local chapter hosts monthly events throughout San Diego, plus their annual rodeo in August. sandiegorodeo.org
Rugby
MEN’S: The San Diego Armada rugby team welcomes all gay and minority men and fosters social and community interactions that are a natural outgrowth of team sports. “You’re out of shape? So what. You’re over 40? Who cares? You’re gay? We don’t care who you sleep with. We celebrate the diversity of our team and respect everyone just the same,” their website reads. In their next match, San Diego Armada takes on Los Angeles Rebellion Feb. 5 in Ocean Beach. sdarmada.org
WOMEN’S: The Surfers are a team of friends and competitive athletes from all walks of life and all levels of rugby experience. “We are passionate about the game of rugby and enthusiastic about supporting the rugby community in San Diego and as a whole,” their website states. The team hosts a competitive and fun-filled weekend of rugby at the 28th Annual Champagne Classic, March 5-6, hosted for the first time ever at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista. sdsurfersrugby.com
Soccer
The San Diego Sparks Soccer Club is a predominantly gay social organization that provides people an opportunity to play soccer in a positive and friendly environment. Club membership is open to everyone and the group is always looking for new players. The Club is at the end of its 2010/2011 season with only a few games remaining. Games are played on Sunday. sparkssoccer.org
Softball
America’s Finest City Softball League (AFCSL) was formed in 1981 as a place for LGBT people to come together and play softball. Softball in San Diego is a year round sport, and AFCSL hosts several seasons throughout the year. Its first, more competitive season is in the Spring, with a second, more relaxed season in the Fall. San Diego also hosts the Autumn Classic Tournament over the Columbus Day weekend each October. afcsl.org
Swimming
Different Strokes Swim Team (DSST) is San Diego’s all-inclusive “lesbian, gay, straight, bisexual, transgender, fast, slow, healthy, happening, totally cool, incredibly fun masters” swim team. The sports group was formed in Spring 1985 to prepare San Diego swimmers for the first Gay Games. DSST has grown steadily over the years and now has more than 100 men and women on its roster. dsst.org
Tennis
The San Diego Tennis Federation (SDTF), a gay and lesbian sporting club since 1983, started its Spring Team Tennis this weekend with a weekly competition that includes singles and doubles pro sets between “celebrity” SDTF teams. The games are on Sundays at various courts throughout the city. The Federation boasts more than 200 members and includes players from all levels of tennis. sdtf.org
Wrestling
San Diego Wrestling Club is San Diego’s only year-round wrestling club catering to adults who have an interest in learning and practicing the sport of amateur wrestling. The club hosts the fifth annual Freestyle Wrestling Tournament, Feb. 19 at The Center. Home of the Bulldogs wrestling team, everyone is welcome to join regardless of skill level, age, race, gender, sexual orientation or physical disability. sdwrestling.org
