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HOCKEY IS HOCKEY IS FOR EVERYONE

An inclusive draft tournament featuring back to back hockey, an all-star game, and a guaranteed spot on the ice for every skater.

VALUES

INCLUSION

INCLUSION

We run a single, open draft pool because everyone should get a chance to play together as one. It doesn't matter if you've played for ten years or if you just figured out how to stop on the ice ten minutes ago. We carefully balance the lines so every single skater gets a safe, fair and guaranteed spot on the ice.

FUN

FUN

Leave the ego at the door. We play hard but at the end of the day, we are here to celebrate queer joy, get our heart rates up, and actually enjoy the game. By taking the intense pressure out of traditional league hockey, we make room for people to just play, make mistakes and have a genuinely good time.

VIBES

VIBES

Expect a supportive crowd and a genuinely welcoming atmosphere from the moment you walk into IceHQ. We know traditional sports can be intimidating so we take your safety seriously. Alongside our strict zero tolerance policies, we provide a dedicated sensory space and detailed sensory guides to make sure everyone feels comfortable and knows exactly what to expect at the rink.

FRIENDSHIP

FRIENDSHIP

Our draft format means you won't just play with your usual local team. You will hit the ice with a completely new mix of teammates from all over the country (and the world!). It is the perfect way to break out of your regular circles, meet new people and build solid connections across the broader hockey community.

Logistics

IceHQ, Melbourne
WHERE

IceHQ, Melbourne

We're taking over IceHQ in Reservoir. It’s an accessible rink with great ice, a dedicated bar and cafe, and plenty of free parking right out front. It's the perfect home base for a tournament of this size, giving us plenty of room for spectators and off-ice enjoyment to keep the energy high all weekend.

1–4 APRIL 2027
WHEN

1–4 APRIL 2027

Four full days of hockey, draft reveals and social events. The action kicks off on Thursday evening and wraps up with the finals on Sunday afternoon. Clear your schedule and block out your calendar for a massive long weekend of sport.

LGBTQIA+ SKATERS & ALLIES
WHO

LGBTQIA+ SKATERS & ALLIES

Built by and for the queer community, catering to everyone from seasoned veterans to absolute beginners. Supportive allies are also completely welcome to register, lace up, and stand in solidarity with us on the ice. If you love hockey and respect our values, there is a spot on the bench for you.

DRAFT FORM
WHAT

DRAFT FORM

A fully draft style ice hockey tournament. No set divisions and no bringing your own team. Everyone registers individually into a single open draft pool. From there, our committee carefully balances the lines to ensure every single game is competitive, fair, and above all, safe and fun for every skater.

Meet the Players

Wondering what the weekend is actually like? Get a feel for the tournament straight from the players. The crew from Joe's Juggernauts chat about their experience hitting the ice and building a community from scratch.

FAIR, BALANCED & OPEN

HOW THE DRAFT WORKS

REGISTER INDIVIDUALLY

Everyone signs up to the exact same open draft pool. Just fill out your registration and let us know your hockey experience. It doesn't matter whether you've been playing for ten years or just finished your first hockey school program.

WE BALANCE THE TEAMS

Behind the scenes, our selection committee carefully reviews the pool and builds the rosters. We make sure that every team has a balance that keeps every single shift fair, competitive, and safe.

MEET YOUR NEW SQUAD

We announce the final rosters at our official welcoming event. You'll find out which legacy team you are representing, pick up your custom pride jersey and meet a brand new group of teammates before hitting the ice for the weekend.

DISCOVER YOUR COLOURS

THE 2026 LEGACY TEAMS

Every squad at Queerclash represents a specific pride flag and honours a grassroots advocate who has made a genuine impact on our community. Read up on the original teams from our inaugural draft.

Learn More
Pansexual #1
Joe Ball

Joe's Juggernauts

Joe Ball Bio →
Lesbian #2
Julie Peters

JULIE'S JETS

Julie Peters Bio →
Bisexual #4
Mitch Brown

Mitch's Mavericks

Mitch Brown Bio →
Intersex #5
Tony Briffa

TONY'S TRAILBLAZERS

Tony Briffa Bio →
Non-Binary #6
Darcy Vescio

DARCY'S DYNAMOS

Darcy Vescio Bio →
Gay #7
Peter Waples-Crowe

PETER'S POWER

Peter Waples-Crowe Bio →
Transgender #8
Amao Leota Lu

AMAO'S ANGELS

Amao Leota Lu Bio →

Sponsors

It takes massive community backing to pull off a tournament of this scale. We aren’t looking for logos to just slap on a wall, we actively want to partner with progressive, community minded brands that want a genuine connection with our players and spectators. Partnering with Queerclash puts you directly in front of a highly engaged, loyal demographic of LGBTQIA+ athletes and allies. More importantly, your sponsorship can directly fund player subsidies, cover ice time and helps us remove the financial barriers that traditionally keep marginalised people out of the game. It is a direct, visible investment in queer health and sport.

Charities

We play for more than just a trophy. Learn about the partner organisations we support and how this tournament actively funds targeted LGBTQIA+ health and community initiatives.

Queer Pasifika logo
COMMUNITY CAUSE

Queer Pasifika

Pasifika LGBTQIA+ Community Connection and Support

Trans Justice Project logo
COMMUNITY CAUSE

Trans Justice Project

National Transgender Advocacy and Rights

Language Justice Network logo
COMMUNITY CAUSE

Language Justice Network

First Nations Justice and Community Support

GET IN TOUCH

Contact Us

Got a question about gear requirements, how the draft works, or volunteering at the rink? Drop us a line. The committee is always happy to chat and help you get on the ice.