Bunnies keen to attract gay support
THE South Sydney Rabbitohs will be red, green and fabulous this year as they rally for supporters from the gay and lesbian community.
Owner Peter Holmes a Court said it was vital for Souths to show pride in the gay community - including supporting players from within the NRL club - for cultural reasons and to boost crowd numbers.
"It starts with our players, past and present - famous players in the past who have been gay," Mr Holmes a Court said. "Secondly, it's about our fans. About the second guy I met who was a Rabbitohs fan was a big, strong-looking guy, the boyfriend of a male friend of mine - he was a mad Rabbitohs fan. We're going to have them in our community."
Andrew Bullen, a member of the local gay community, said yesterday: "I think it's really admirable that Souths have been the first people to come on board and say, 'Look, we just really want to welcome you to our events' and recognise that gay and lesbian people are no different from anyone else - they enjoy football too."
Souths will be the only NRL club with a stall at Mardi Gras Fair Day, which is being held today at Victoria Park in Camperdown. The organisers of Fair Day are expecting more than 50,000 people this year.
Mr Holmes a Court said the move was also about crunching numbers.
"It's about a serious desire to get the biggest crowds we've ever had to our games. We've got to get every member of our community out there to get behind the team and support the team."
Self-described as a "die-hard Rabbitohs fan", 2007 Fair Day co-chairman Drew Simmons had been in discussion with the Rabbitohs' marketing staff when the idea for a Fair Day stall was born. "The thinking is that Rabbitohs is in the heart of the gay and lesbian community so it's a natural thing to do," Mr Simmons said.
Also yesterday Souths introduced their new co-captains at a fans' day at Erskineville Oval where Rabbitohs co-owner and Hollywood superstar Russell Crowe mixed with players and supporters.
