▲Heroes player Stuart Douce can also be seen warming up before the match.

▲Player Mark Anderson spotted catching the pigskin.

▲Player Raymond Wedlake warms up before a match.

▲No one can stop Wiremu Brown-Rapana as he charges ahead.

▲Player Devon Gurr's face says what his mouthguard won't allow him to.

▲Devon Gurr kicks the ball as spectators watch on.

▲It's been a long match, as the evidence shows.

▲Heroes player Jason Shaw tries to stop his opponent with a tackle.

▲The Christchurch FC Heroes huddle up. Pictured from left to right are Ed Lang, Eugene Harris, Wiremu Brown-Rapana, and Danny Brooks.

▲Player Tim de Ridder snapped winning a lineout.

▲Coach Aidan O'Connor speaks with his players during a match.

▲Do these look like the faces of defeat? It's all smiles as the Heroes leave the field.

▲

Win or lose, it's all about playing the game you love.

See also: LGBT soccer teams and tournaments around the world

▲But no need to pity the Heroes: they have candy!

▲Pre-match locker room moments ahead of the Heroes' match.

▲Switching sides now, the Heroes lead the charge.

▲Things heat up between the Christchurch FC Heroes and the Burnside RFC Blackadders.

▲Wiremu Brown-Rapana lies flat out on the ground after a long match.

▲

Captain Ed Lang shakes hands with opponents after the Heroes lost against the Burnside RFC Blackadders.

▲Teammates Raymond Wedlake and Eugene Harris caught bonding during a match.

▲You can still make out the rainbow laces on these rugby boots.

▲From left to right, we have Sean Kavanagh, Phillip Jamieson, Ed Lang, Danny Brooks, and Alexander Richardson.

▲Jeremy Elgin helps teammate Devon Gurr up during a match.

▲Fans of the Christchurch FC Heroes include this four-legged friend.

▲But don't feel too bad for him. Here he is about to enjoy a beer with teammate Phillip Jamieson.

▲

A captain's chat with his team just before their match begins.

▲

The Christchurch FC Heroes are part of a growing trend of gay and inclusive rugby teams around the world. Even so, they're only the second gay and inclusive rugby team in New Zealand, this despite being formed as recently as 2018. Nevertheless, they share a rich history of being part of Christchurch FC, which claims to be the second oldest rugby club in the world.

So, how does a Christchurch Heroes match differ from any other rugby match? As you'll see in the following gallery, there are actually more similarities than differences.

▲Heroes head coach Glenn Dickie and captain Ed Lang seen talking to the referee prior to a match.

▲

Mark Anderson of the Heroes helps out an injured Burnside RFC Blackadders player.

New Zealand's gay and inclusive rugby team

The Christchurch Heroes are making a difference in the sport

19/11/21 por StarsInsider

LIFESTYLE Lgbt

The Christchurch FC Heroes are part of a growing trend of gay and inclusive rugby teams around the world. Even so, they're only the second gay and inclusive rugby team in New Zealand, this despite being formed as recently as 2018. Nevertheless, they share a rich history of being part of Christchurch FC, which claims to be the second oldest rugby club in the world.

So, how does a Christchurch Heroes match differ from any other rugby match? As you'll see in the following gallery, there are actually more similarities than differences.

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