United supporting Spectres ahead of 2026 Gay Games

Always looking for ways to champion inclusion in sport, Melbourne United is doing its part to help support the Melbourne Spectres as they represent Australia at the upcoming Gay Games in Valencia, Spain. 

To assist the Spectres, all proceeds from our End of Season Auction will go towards the organisation as they look to send six teams abroad. 

President of the Melbourne Spectres, Connor Wilson, touched on what it means to have the club’s support ahead of the event.

“The partnership that the Spectres with United has worked so well, and it is such an important partnership because we really share the same values of inclusion,” they said.

“I know that inclusion is one of the core values of United and it's really nice to see an organisation like them really, live it, see it and breathe it.

“It means the world to us, it really shows the true essence of belonging within a sport.”

The eight-day international event will feature 39 different sports, with the competition aiming to celebrate the diversity and visibility of LGBTQIA+ identities together with all allies. 

Wilson touched on his excitement 50-days out from the games.

“I'm very, very much excited to go and play… It'll be my first one,” he explained. 

“It’s kind of like the Olympics, where you get upwards of 10,000 athletes coming together and to essentially play sport in a safe and welcoming environment from all across the world. 

“Having a tournament and organised sporting event like this just goes to show how inclusive sport can be if we put the effort into making it inclusive. 

“It's awesome to have the opportunity to go and play with people from all around the world who  value inclusion and that champion diversity within sport.

“We're getting to wear the green and gold, which is something anyone who plays sport always has a little bit of a dream to wear. It's a fantastic opportunity to do that, I honestly cannot wait.” 

To find out more about the Spectres or the Gay Games, click the links here, and to bid on the auction, click here.

The auction closes Monday 1 June, at 5pm.

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