The Australian Sex Party will break new ground for political parties  at the World Masters Games in Sydney, by fielding a women’s soccer team. The WASPs (Women’s Australian Sex Party) are entered in the 35+ years and over competition and are scheduled to play five games before the play-offs. The team was founded by Sex Party convenor Fiona Patten and her sister Kirsty Patten, who has represented Tasmania and NT in women’s soccer. Both sisters have played soccer since they were 10 years old.  Fiona Patten is the one of the oldests member of the team and has won gold medals in Master’s swimming events in previous Masters Games.

Ms Patten said the World Master’s Games was an important event for the leaders of all political parties in Australia to be seen at and said she hoped to see Kevin Rudd and Malcolm Turnbull pulling on a track suit or dribbling a ball at the event. “It’s one thing for politicians to champion elite sports where the competitors earn six figure salaries and sponsors pour in millions of dollars but at the end of the day, that’s not what keeps people fit into their old age”, she said. “I’d be surprised if we see more than two or three politicians turn up to these Games, even as spectators”.

“The team came together around a common interest in the Sex Party’s policies but of course the girls also like playing soccer and having a drink”, Patten said. Kirsty Patten’s partner, Linda, is also in the team and the couple recently had a daughter, Bonnie. “I’m upset about the unequal treatment that gay couples get from the government over parenting and marriage”, Kirsty said. “So if I can raise the profile of a political party that promises to change things, while I kick a ball around the field, I’m all for that”.

So far the WASPS have won two games and drawn one