What are you waiting for?  Be a part of the largest Gay Soccer Event in 2009!     

IGLFA 2009 is on pace to be the largest Gay Soccer Event in 2009.  It's also on pace to be the largest gay soccer tournament (outside of a Gay Games) to be held in North America.  So, here's the question - if you're not registered yet, why not?

We know that in light of some of the recent economic news some are looking for affordable options.  The good news for everyone is that the IGLFA 2009 organizers have tried to make a number of affordable options available.  Housing options include the host hotel, dorm housing, and limited hosted housing.  There are also lots of options available for getting to DC with three major airports in the area ( Baltimore - BWI; Reagan National - DCA; and Washington Dulles - IAD).  Be sure to check out the fare sales now - flights as low as $500 round trip from several European cities!

The fact that his year's tournament is being held in Washington DC also bodes well for those who are looking for affordable culture with some of the finest museums in the world - and most of them have free entry too.   Getting around DC is also made easy by the world class transit system.  So, here's the question....what are you waiting for? 

Registration for IGLFA 2009 continues on.  IGLFA 2009 registration fees are as follows until April 15, 2009

Individual Registration - $140

Team Registration - $2200 ($122 per person for a team of 18 players)

Non-player Participant - $60

The IGLFA 2009 Tournament is THE GLBT Soccer (football....futbol) Event of 2009.  Why be a part of just any sporting event when you can Be The Main Event!

The Rules of the Game 

An important part of every tournament is the referee team. IGLFA 2009 already has many very advanced officials registered as well as some newer referees. It is a good mix of local and traveling referees and includes several women. So far we have referees registered from Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Great Britain and the United States. We can use a few more, so if you know any referees who might be interested in our tournament please have them register or contact our referee coordinator Glenn Auve at glennauve@gmail.com The Referee Corner section of our website has more information

The tournament will be played according to the IGLFA’s tournament rules. Some important highlights of the rules include:

Substitutions

Unlimited substitutions are re-substitutions shall be allowed at the discretion and approval of the referee.  Those of you who were in London for IGLFA 2008 know that this tournament rule was not followed as a requirement by the English Football Association.  We are pleased to let you know that there will be no such problems this year.  While the IGLFA has slightly modified the times when substitutions may be made, the general rule remains the same as in other past tournaments. 

Jewelry

It is important to note that no jewelry of any kind is allowed to be worn.  Referees will be instructed to not allow players to play while wearing jewelry.  This is for the safety of the individual player as well as the players around them.

We thank the referees who will be attedning the tournament for their dedication to the sport and to the IGLFA's mission.

IGLFA 2009 is Now On Twitter!   

IGLFA 2009 can now be found on Twitter!  Not sure what Twitter is?  Don't worry, just watch this short video to find out about the latest social media trend.

So, what is IGLFA 2009 doing on Twitter?  We're using Twitter as a way to communicate with anyone who want ongoing information about the the 2009 Gay Soccer World Championship.  We are also using Twitter to open up a dialogue with people who might not be familiar with IGLFA or that there is even an active GLBT soccer/ football / futbol community.   For those people who have been playing with IGLFA for years, this is a way to broaden our audience and reach out to the next generation.   So, come find IGLFA 2009 on Twitter now! Follow Us! Send us a message....a Tweet, and help us spread the conversation.

Congratulations to the winners of the 2009 NY Indoor Classic! 

IGLFA 2009 wants to congratulate the winners and all of the participants of the 2009 New York Indoor Classic which took place last weekend in New York City. 

More than 20 teams took part in this great tournament.  We want to thank the New York Ramblers ( the very first organized gay soccer club) for once again hosting this tournament.  There was great competition and sportsmanship displayed.  A great time was held by all!  Not only was there a very long fun filled day of soccer, but this was sandwiched in between some great parties and a crazy drag brunch on Sunday morning. 

Congratulations to the winners:

Division One:  Federal Triangles Soccer Club (FTSC) of Washington DC (for the second year in a row)

Division Two: Chicago Blaze

We look forward to the 2010 NY Indoor Tournament - which will also be the celebration of the NY Ramblers 30th Birthday....oh, I mean 29 again.

 

 IGLFA 2009 Announcements: Volunteers Needed; No Team? No Problem; Travel Info for International Travlers, and more! 

  -  Volunteers are needed for IGLFA 2009.  We are looking for lots of volunteers to help with the IGLFA 2009 Tournament.  If you are interested in coming, already coming with someone who is participating, or just live in the Washington DC area and would like to Volunteer, please sign up to Volunteer now!  You can do so at the Volunteer Sign Up Page at IGLFA 2009 

-  No Team? No Problem! IGLFA 2009 organizers have a straightforward solution for players in need of a team - register as an individual player looking for a team, and let us find a team for you!  Either play with one of the registered teams that is looking for players, or we can place you on a team made up of other lone wolves.  Enterprising players who prefer to do their own legwork are welcome to use the "Players Looking for a Team" board on the IGLFA 2009 Facebook Page.

Registering as an individual player looking for a team is quick and easy.  Just go to the IGLFA 2009 Online Registration Center and click the option for "register as a player looking for a team."  We'll handle the rest!  Individual registration have already come in from players in London, Boston, Chicago, Sydney, Dallas,  New Jersey, and more.  Just Do It!  You know you want too!

- Coming to IGLFA 2009 From Outside the US?  Make sure you know the details about getting your Visa!  If you are coming to IGLFA 2009 from outside the US, please be sure to know the details about obtaining your Visa.  If you have questions, please review the information on this subject under the Travel & Accommodations Section on IGLFA2009.org, or the article that was written in the past edition of the IGLFA eNewsletter.

- Make Sure your team is getting the IGFLA 2009 eNewsletter.  If you are not sure your team members are getting this newsletter or you would like this eNewsletter to go to a different address, you can add people or change your information from the IGLFA 2009 eNewsletter Section.