Gay resort backs AFL Cairns team
WHAT do a gay-friendly holiday resort and a AFL Cairns team have in common?
A lot this season, with the Port Douglas club stepping out, exfoliating away any prejudice and welcoming a new minor sponsor in Turtle Cove, a gay beachfront resort between Cairns and Port Douglas.
In a first for AFL Cairns, Crocs president Scott Ewart admits the resort is not a typical sponsor for a sporting team steeped in heterosexual manliness.
"For us, Turtle Cove are just another sponsor, no different to any of the others," he said.
"We're not prejudicial to anyone, they're a business just like any other in Port Douglas."
The resort, which changed hands in September, is now owned by self-confessed AFL junkies Kelvin and Jacinta Banks.
"This sponsorship is all about breaking new barriers, breaking down the boundaries," Mr Banks said.
"We hope our sons might be able to play for the Crocs too."
For the 2010 season, Turtle Cove has signed as a minor sponsor but is hoping to become long-time members of the club. AFL Cairns president Gary Young said the sponsorship deal was certainly "unusual" but in no way contradicted the ideals of the game.
"We support as many different businesses to get behind sporting teams in their local area - not just the AFL - because we all need the support," Mr Young said.
Turtle Cove general manager Ian Crute said most of the money raised in the resort went to causes like World Aids Day and community health projects and he was glad to see cash being put into the Far Northern community.
"The guys have been really cool with it and we wouldn't do it if we didn’t think we could foster a harmonious relationship," he said.
"Port Douglas is a pretty gay-friendly town - I don't think there will be any issues with it."
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Done deal: Turtle Cove general manager Ian Crute, with new owners Kelvin and Jacinta Banks, Crocs president Scott Ewart and club captain Evan Hocking.
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