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Overview
This photograph features the Krazy Knights and Ponsonby Heroes rugby teams playing at Rugby League Park, Newtown, Wellington, on Labour Weekend, 1998. This was New Zealand's first gay interprovincial rugby game.
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 a future Minister of Sport and Finance, Grant Robertson. 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 played their first game against an invitational team called the Straight Ups - who were friends and supporters of the team. Auckland quickly followed suit, forming the Ponsonby Heroes in association with Ponsonby Rugby Club.
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).
* 'Krazy' came from the Krazy Lounge cafe on the corner of Cuba Street in Wellington which supported the team.