New Zealand's gay and inclusive rugby team

New Zealand's gay and inclusive rugby team

New Zealand's gay and inclusive rugby team

New Zealand's gay and inclusive rugby team

New Zealand's gay and inclusive rugby team

New Zealand's gay and inclusive rugby team

New Zealand's gay and inclusive rugby team

New Zealand's gay and inclusive rugby team

New Zealand's gay and inclusive rugby team

New Zealand's gay and inclusive rugby team

New Zealand's gay and inclusive rugby team

New Zealand's gay and inclusive rugby team

New Zealand's gay and inclusive rugby team

New Zealand's gay and inclusive rugby team

New Zealand's gay and inclusive rugby team

New Zealand's gay and inclusive rugby team

New Zealand's gay and inclusive rugby team

New Zealand's gay and inclusive rugby team

New Zealand's gay and inclusive rugby team

New Zealand's gay and inclusive rugby team

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See Again

© Getty Images

0 / 29 Fotos

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

© Getty Images

1 / 29 Fotos

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

© Getty Images

2 / 29 Fotos

Aye aye, captain -

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

© Getty Images

3 / 29 Fotos

Coach's corner - Coach Aidan O'Connor speaks with his players during a match.

© Getty Images

4 / 29 Fotos

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

© Getty Images

5 / 29 Fotos

Grounded - Player Raymond Wedlake warms up before a match.

© Getty Images

6 / 29 Fotos

Eye on the prize - Heroes player Stuart Douce can also be seen warming up before the match.

© Getty Images

7 / 29 Fotos

Almost got it - Player Mark Anderson spotted catching the pigskin.

© Getty Images

8 / 29 Fotos

A winning smile? - Player Devon Gurr's face says what his mouthguard won't allow him to.

© Getty Images

9 / 29 Fotos

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

© Getty Images

10 / 29 Fotos

Tackling the problem - Heroes player Jason Shaw tries to stop his opponent with a tackle.

© Getty Images

11 / 29 Fotos

Kicking it into gear - Devon Gurr kicks the ball as spectators watch on.

© Getty Images

12 / 29 Fotos

Winning ways - Player Tim de Ridder snapped winning a lineout.

© Getty Images

13 / 29 Fotos

Bringing the competition - Things heat up between the Christchurch FC Heroes and the Burnside RFC Blackadders.

© Getty Images

14 / 29 Fotos

Momentum builds - Switching sides now, the Heroes lead the charge.

© Getty Images

15 / 29 Fotos

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

© Getty Images

16 / 29 Fotos

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

© Getty Images

17 / 29 Fotos

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

© Getty Images

18 / 29 Fotos

A helping hand - Jeremy Elgin helps teammate Devon Gurr up during a match.

© Getty Images

19 / 29 Fotos

Dirty play - It's been a long match, as the evidence shows.

© Getty Images

20 / 29 Fotos

Out for the count - Wiremu Brown-Rapana lies flat out on the ground after a long match.

© Getty Images

21 / 29 Fotos

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

© Getty Images

22 / 29 Fotos

Fair play -

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

© Getty Images

23 / 29 Fotos

A good sport -

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

© Getty Images

24 / 29 Fotos

Tastes like victory - But no need to pity the Heroes: they have candy!

© Getty Images

25 / 29 Fotos

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

© Getty Images

26 / 29 Fotos

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

© Getty Images

27 / 29 Fotos

More than a game -

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

See also: LGBT soccer teams and tournaments around the world

© Getty Images

28 / 29 Fotos

© Getty Images

0 / 29 Fotos

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

© Getty Images

1 / 29 Fotos

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

© Getty Images

2 / 29 Fotos

Aye aye, captain -

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

© Getty Images

3 / 29 Fotos

Coach's corner - Coach Aidan O'Connor speaks with his players during a match.

© Getty Images

4 / 29 Fotos

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

© Getty Images

5 / 29 Fotos

Grounded - Player Raymond Wedlake warms up before a match.

© Getty Images

6 / 29 Fotos

Eye on the prize - Heroes player Stuart Douce can also be seen warming up before the match.

© Getty Images

7 / 29 Fotos

Almost got it - Player Mark Anderson spotted catching the pigskin.

© Getty Images

8 / 29 Fotos

A winning smile? - Player Devon Gurr's face says what his mouthguard won't allow him to.

© Getty Images

9 / 29 Fotos

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

© Getty Images

10 / 29 Fotos

Tackling the problem - Heroes player Jason Shaw tries to stop his opponent with a tackle.

© Getty Images

11 / 29 Fotos

Kicking it into gear - Devon Gurr kicks the ball as spectators watch on.

© Getty Images

12 / 29 Fotos

Winning ways - Player Tim de Ridder snapped winning a lineout.

© Getty Images

13 / 29 Fotos

Bringing the competition - Things heat up between the Christchurch FC Heroes and the Burnside RFC Blackadders.

© Getty Images

14 / 29 Fotos

Momentum builds - Switching sides now, the Heroes lead the charge.

© Getty Images

15 / 29 Fotos

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

© Getty Images

16 / 29 Fotos

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

© Getty Images

17 / 29 Fotos

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

© Getty Images

18 / 29 Fotos

A helping hand - Jeremy Elgin helps teammate Devon Gurr up during a match.

© Getty Images

19 / 29 Fotos

Dirty play - It's been a long match, as the evidence shows.

© Getty Images

20 / 29 Fotos

Out for the count - Wiremu Brown-Rapana lies flat out on the ground after a long match.

© Getty Images

21 / 29 Fotos

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

© Getty Images

22 / 29 Fotos

Fair play -

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

© Getty Images

23 / 29 Fotos

A good sport -

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

© Getty Images

24 / 29 Fotos

Tastes like victory - But no need to pity the Heroes: they have candy!

© Getty Images

25 / 29 Fotos

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

© Getty Images

26 / 29 Fotos

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

© Getty Images

27 / 29 Fotos

More than a game -

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

See also: LGBT soccer teams and tournaments around the world

© Getty Images

28 / 29 Fotos

New Zealand's gay and inclusive rugby team

The Christchurch Heroes are making a difference in the sport

New Zealand's gay and inclusive rugby team

© Getty Images

19/11/21 | 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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