Perth’s own Simon Thuijs has just returned from a triumphant run at the EuroGames – the world’s biggest international LGBT sporting tournament, playing field hockey with his London based team.
Officially known as the European Gay and Lesbian Multi-Sports Championships, the games have been officially running since 1992. The mission of the EuroGames is to unite sportspeople regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity in their love of sports.
The EuroGames sees over 5000 participants run, jump, hurl and sweat across dozens of events.
“It’s like a mini-Olympics,” Simon says, “There’s running, diving, swimming, water polo and that’s just a few.”
Spending just six months in London on university exchange, Thuijs (second from the left in the front row) managed to find a team, hone his skills and be selected for the massive international event.
Ready to play in his first ever LGBT tournament, Thuijs and his team The London Royals flew to Stockholm for the 2015 EuroGames in Sweden’s capital.
“The EuroGames is one of the biggest LGBT international sporting events,” Thuijs says, “There were 7 teams from Denmark, The Netherlands, The UK and also Australia – a team from Sydney.”
Simon, The London Royals and their female counterparts The Royal Lionesses each took home a gold medal in a double win for the UK. Simon and the Royals completed the tournament undefeated.
Simon is currently seeking expressions of interest for a Perth based social LGBTIQ hockey team. Submissions can be made here.
