In honor of our Health and Wellness issue, here is a list of Charlotte and Carolinas LGBT-friendly sports and activities to help you and your loved ones accomplish those well-intentioned New Year’s resolutions. Below you will find each sport’s location, participants, leaders and their websites for you to find more information on the group and ways to join.
Area Leagues
Aquatic:
One World Dragonboat
Location: Ramsey Creek Park
Gender: Coed
President: Denise Bauer
Web: oneworlddragonboat.org
Bowling:
Charlotte Rainbowlers
Location: Centennial Lanes
Gender: Coed
President: Kevin Cooper
Web: charlotterainbowlers.com
Triad Pride Bowlers
Greensboro, N.C.
Location: AMF All Star Lanes
Gender: Coed
Board Reps: Roy Gladson, Jeff Scherer
Web: triadpridebowlers.com
Durham Rainbow
Bowling League
Durham, N.C.
Location: AMF Durham Lanes
Gender: Coed
President: Ronald Leedy
Web: facebook.com/durhamrainbowbowling
Kings and Queens Bowling
Raleigh, N.C.
Location: AMF Pleasant
Valley Lanes
Gender: Coed
President: Chris Smith
Web: kingsandqueensbowling.com
Triangle Rainbow Bowling
Raleigh, N.C.
Location: AMF Pleasant
Valley Lanes
Gender: Coed
President: Brian Mullis
Web: rainbowbowling.com
Photo Credit: James Dockery
Fitness:
Charlotte Front Runners & Walkers
Location: Dowd YMCA
Gender: Coed
President: Steve Thomas
Web: charlottefrontrunners.com
Triangle Front Runners
Raleigh, N.C.
Location: NOSH Durham
Gender: Coed
Coordinator: Sara Long
Web: facebook.com/pages/Triangle-Front-Runners/103565929703807
Kickball:
Stonewall Kickball League
Location: Veteran’s Park
Gender: Coed
President: Jason Boone
Web: stonewallkickballcharlotte.leagueapps.com
Stonewall Kickball Raleigh
Raleigh, N.C.
Location: Halifax Park
Gender: Coed
Commissioner: Jonathan Melton
Web: stonewallkickballraleigh.leagueapps.com
Roller Derby:
Charlotte Roller Girls
Location: Grady Cole Center
Gender: Female
President: Amie Adams
Web: charlotterollergirls.com
Photo Credit: Zechariah Sanders
Rugby:
Charlotte Royals Rugby Club
Location: Tuskaseegee Park
Gender: Male
President: BJ Smith
Web: charlotteroyals.org
Charleston Blockade
Charleston, S.C.
Location: Danny Jones Recreation Center
Gender: Male
President: Frankie Brown
Web: charlestonblockade.com
Softball:
Carolina Softball Alliance
Location: Revolution Park
Gender: Coed
President: Ron Tessneer
Web: carolinasoftball.org
Triad Softball League
Winston-Salem, N.C.
Location: Washington Park
Gender: Coed
Commissioner: Brian Rierson
Web: triadsoftball.com
North Carolina Softball League
Raleigh, N.C.
Location: Millbrook
Exchange Park
Gender: Coed
Commissioner: Ray Stancil
Web: ncsoftball.org
Triangle Area Softball Association
Durham, N.C.
Location: Valley Springs Park, Durham; Lions Park, Raleigh; Various Fields, Cary
Gender: Coed
Commissioner: Renee Batchelor
Web: leaguelineup.com/miscinfo.asp?menuid=33&url=tasa&sid=1526102
Photo Credit: Katie Geis
Swimming:
Charlotte H2O’s Swim Club
Location: Mecklenberg County Aquatic Center
Gender: Coed
Web: charlotteh2os.ning.com
Tennis:
Queen City Tennis Club
Location: Park Road Park and Veteran’s Park
Gender: Coed
Web: qctc.org
Triangle Tennis Club
Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill, N.C.
Location: Millbrook Exchange Tennis Center
Gender: Coed
President: Scott Kauffman
Web: triangletennisclub.com
Here’s hoping that your 2015 is a healthy and active year. And even if you do not feel up to participating in these organizations, please do go out and support them. All these groups love their fans as much as they enjoy playing the sports! : :
— compiled with assistance by Lainey Millen