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Overview
First gay interprovincial rugby game in New Zealand
This rugby ball was signed by the Krazy Knights and Ponsonby Heroes rugby teams on 25 October 1998 when they played New Zealand's first gay interprovincial rugby game at Newtown's Rugby League Park, Wellington. The Knights presented the ball to one of their staunchest supporters at the after match function, Alan Bracegirdle, who flew up from Christchurch for every game in 1998.
The Krazy Knights were the first gay rugby team to be formed in New Zealand*. Organiser Dean Knight was inspired by the success of gay teams overseas, and called for players to join together in Wellington in early 1998. The Knights included players from all walks of life including drag queens and a future Minister of Sport and Finance, Grant Robertson (his signature is on the ball, as is his partner's Alf Kaiwai - they met on the field and were joined in a civil union in 2009).
The Krazy Knights played their first game against an invitational team called the Straight Ups - who were friends and supporters of the team. Both local and international media were quick to pick up on the novelty of a gay rugby team, with an Evening Post billboard announcing 'Play and be gay - rugby team' (10 February 1998).
The Krazy Knights' aim was to provide a safe, queer-friendly environment for gay men to play the national game of rugby, which was usually associated with non-inclusive macho culture. At the time, Dean Knight noted: 'if it was a perfect world, we wouldn't need a gay rugby team. Everyone would simply be able to be themselves and be honest about their sexuality' (OUT, Aug/Sep 1998, p. 61).
Auckland quickly followed suit, forming the Ponsonby Heroes in association with Ponsonby Rugby Club (they've been called the 'Rainbow Heroes' on this rugby ball).
Contemporary LGBTQI+ rugby
The New Zealand Falcons are the successor to the Krazy Knights and Ponsonby Heroes, with the Christchurch Heroes forming in 2018.
* 'Krazy' came from the Krazy Lounge cafe on the corner of Cuba Street in Wellington which supported the team.