AuthorPride in Sport

New South Wales Rugby League (NSWRL), the peak body of rugby league in NSW, has become the newest member of the Australian Pride in Sport program, committing to further develop and enhance the inclusion of LGBTQ people.

ACON Health’s Pride in Sport program is the only sporting inclusion program specifically designed to assist sporting organisations with the inclusion of employees, athletes, coaches, volunteers, officials and spectators with diverse genders and sexualities.

Being a Pride in Sport member means changing practices and working towards a more inclusive, safe, and healthy sporting environment for people with diverse sexualities and genders.

NSWRL Chief Executive, David Trodden, is excited about the opportunity that Pride in Sport will play when helping promote positive messages and examples around LGBTQ inclusion for sport and recreation programs at NSWRL.

“NSWRL is pleased to have partnered with Pride in Sport. We aim to further our inclusive practices so that everyone feels welcome”, Trodden said.

Data from the Out on the Fields study showed that 80% of people have either witnessed or experienced homophobia in sport, with 75% believing that an openly gay person would not be safe as a spectator at a sporting event.

Data from the LGBTIQ+ Health Australia showing that LGBTQ young people aged 16 to 27 are five times more likely to attempt suicide compared to the general population, with transgender people aged 18 and over nearly eleven times more likely.

Beau Newell, National Program Manager of Pride in Sport Australia, said actual and perceived social exclusion is a leading cause of preventable death in Australia, and creating a much healthier and safer sporting culture for LGBTQ people has never been more important.

“By joining Pride in Sport and working with ACON, NSWRL is showing the community that they care about the health and wellbeing of their athletes, and members across NSW” Newell said.

“Congratulations to NSWRL for leading the way in changing Australia’s sporting culture, to be more inclusive.”

Pride in Sport is Australia’s first and only sexuality and gender diverse sporting inclusion program for the Australian sporting sector.

ENDS

For media enquiries please contact:

David Alexander, ACON Media and Communications

E: dalexander@acon.org.au   T: (02) 9206 2044   M: 0428 477 042

ABOUT PRIDE IN SPORT

Pride in Sport is a national not-for-profit program that assists sporting organisations and clubs with the inclusion of LGBTQ employees, athletes, coaches, volunteers, officials and spectators. It is part of ACON’s Pride Inclusion Programs, which provides a range of services to employers, sporting organisations and service providers with support in all aspects of LGBTQ inclusion. All funds generated through membership and ticketed events go back into the work of Pride in Sport, actively working alongside sporting organisations, clubs and participants to make Australian sport inclusive of LGBTQ communities. For more information, visit the Pride Inclusion Programs website here.

ABOUT THE PRIDE IN SPORT INDEX

The Pride in Sport Index (PSI) is an independently administered benchmarking system that provides the opportunity for all national and state sporting organisations to have their LGBTQ related initiatives, programs and policies reviewed, measured and monitored. An initiative of the Australian Human Rights Commission, the Australian Sports Commission and a legacy of the Bingham Cup Sydney 2014 (the world cup of gay rugby), it was developed alongside an advisory group that includes representatives from the National Rugby League (NRL), the Australian Football League (AFL), the Australian Rugby Union (ARU), Football Federation Australia (FFA), Cricket Australia, Swimming Australia, Water Polo Australia, Basketball Australia and Golf Australia. For more information, visit the Pride in Sport website here.

Gymnastics Australia, the national governing body for gymnastics within Australia, has become the newest member of the Australian Pride in Sport program, committing to further develop and enhance the inclusion of LGBTQ people. 

ACON Health’s Pride in Sport program is the only sporting inclusion program specifically designed to assist sporting organisations with the inclusion of employees, athletes, coaches, volunteers, officials and spectators with diverse genders and sexualities.

Being a Pride in Sport member means changing practices and working towards a more inclusive, safe, and healthy sporting environment for people with diverse sexualities and genders.

Kitty Chiller AM, CEO of Gymnastics Australia, is excited about the opportunity that Pride in Sport will play when helping promote positive messages and examples around LGBTQ inclusion for sport and recreation programs at ANU.

“Gymnastics Australia is pleased to have partnered with Pride in Sport. We aim to further our inclusive practices so that everyone feels welcome”, Chiller said.

Data from the Out on the Fields study showed that 80% of people have either witnessed or experienced homophobia in sport, with 75% believing that an openly gay person would not be safe as a spectator at a sporting event.

Data from the LGBTIQ+ Health Australia showing that LGBTQ young people aged 16 to 27 are five times more likely to attempt suicide compared to the general population, with transgender people aged 18 and over nearly eleven times more likely.

Beau Newell, National Program Manager of Pride in Sport Australia, said actual and perceived social exclusion is a leading cause of preventable death in Australia, and creating a much healthier and safer sporting culture for LGBTQ people has never been more important.

“Congratulations to Gymnastics Australia for leading the way in changing Australia’s sporting culture, to be more inclusive.”

“By joining Pride in Sport and working with ACON, Gymnastics Australia is showing the community that they care about the health and wellbeing of their athletes, and members across Australia” Newell said.

Pride in Sport is Australia’s first and only sexuality and gender diverse sporting inclusion program for the Australian sporting sector.

ENDS

For media enquiries please contact:

David Alexander, ACON Media and Communications

E: dalexander@acon.org.au   T: (02) 9206 2044   M: 0428 477 042

ABOUT PRIDE IN SPORT

Pride in Sport is a national not-for-profit program that assists sporting organisations and clubs with the inclusion of LGBTQ employees, athletes, coaches, volunteers, officials and spectators. It is part of ACON’s Pride Inclusion Programs, which provides a range of services to employers, sporting organisations and service providers with support in all aspects of LGBTQ inclusion. All funds generated through membership and ticketed events go back into the work of Pride in Sport, actively working alongside sporting organisations, clubs and participants to make Australian sport inclusive of LGBTQ communities. For more information, visit the Pride Inclusion Programs website here.

ABOUT THE PRIDE IN SPORT INDEX

The Pride in Sport Index (PSI) is an independently administered benchmarking system that provides the opportunity for all national and state sporting organisations to have their LGBTQ related initiatives, programs and policies reviewed, measured and monitored. An initiative of the Australian Human Rights Commission, the Australian Sports Commission and a legacy of the Bingham Cup Sydney 2014 (the world cup of gay rugby), it was developed alongside an advisory group that includes representatives from the National Rugby League (NRL), the Australian Football League (AFL), the Australian Rugby Union (ARU), Football Federation Australia (FFA), Cricket Australia, Swimming Australia, Water Polo Australia, Basketball Australia and Golf Australia. For more information, visit the Pride in Sport website here.

INVITATION TO HAVE YOUR SAY IN REGARD LGBTQ INCLUSION IN SPORT

This year we encourage everyone involved in Australian sport to participate in the Pride in Sport Index (PSI) National Survey.  This is a national survey that allows us to assess and benchmark the progress in the area of inclusion of people with diverse sexualities and genders, in all sporting codes across Australia.

This may be just one area of a sports diversity & inclusion work. While the survey focuses on LGBTQ inclusion, it does not by any means diminish an organisations focus or activity in other areas of diversity practice. Rather it will allow us to narrow down on some of the core issues that need addressing in this space.

Regardless of how you personally identify, we encourage you to participate in this Survey. 

Have your say on:

• Inclusion initiatives such as Pride Games
• What more needs to be done for great inclusion of trans and gender diverse people?
• Are sporting leaders being held accountable for their public stance on homophobia, biphobia and transphobia?
• Are sports doing enough?
• Can sports put more effort into LGBTQ inclusion?

Participation is 100% anonymous: Individuals within the survey cannot be identified by either Pride in Sport, the not-for-profit support program running the benchmark, or by any sporting organisation.

Your feedback will enable us to not only gauge the visibility of inclusion initiatives by sporting codes, but will also enable us to understand the views of those who do not identity as LGBTQ, as well as the experiences of those who are of diverse sexuality and/or gender.

The first few pages of the Survey provides:

• The purpose of the survey; and
• An outline of terminology used.

Hot tips:

• Please ensure you use the navigation buttons within the survey instrument, not the browser buttons.
• Please ensure you click the ‘submit’ button upon completing the PSI National Survey.

Help us lead guide sporting organisation in Australia for greater LGBTQ inclusion, and complete this survey!

The survey will close at 9:00am AEDT Monday 8 March 2021.

Results from the survey will be published in the 2021 PSI National Survey publication. Click Here to view the results of last years survey. 

For specific queries, please email – psi@prideinsport.com.au 

The inaugural AFLW Pride Round is upon us!

This initiative has come after an extensive piece of work internally at the AFL, to promote the sporting codes stance on LGBTQ inclusion, while also raising much needed awareness to the disproportionate effects of the LGBTQ community more broadly.

The 2021 AFLW Pride Round also comes after research was released in 2020 that ‘only 38% of Pride Cup players witnessed their teammates use homophobic language in the past two weeks, compared to 73% at non-Pride Cup clubs.

While much more is needed to be done in the space of LGBTQ inclusion in sport, the AFLW Pride Rounds sets a new standard for any elite competition delivering an all of competition pride initiative at the elite level.

What does it mean?

The previous three seasons have seen Carlton and the Western Bulldogs celebrate an annual Pride Game – with St Kilda and Melbourne joining last year – but 2021 marks the first time it has been extended to an entire round.

Carlton’s Darcy Vescio told AFL that the round will bring to light an important cause while also allowing for a celebration.

“The Pride Round is always such a special occasion for us girls. Bonnie (Toogood, Dogs forward) and I have been lucky enough to be part of the clubs who have had a Pride Game for four years now,” Vescio said.

“Every time it comes, it’s so lovely to see the shift in crowd as well. It’s certainly the best game to come to in terms of the people who feel comfortable attending. We’re able to represent ourselves, represent the women who built women’s footy and celebrate people from all different backgrounds.”

R2 RESHUFFLE Two games postponed due to COVID restrictions

What clubs are wearing a Pride Guernsey?

The inaugural AFLW Pride Round has given an opportunity to every player in the competition to celebrate inclusiveness in football. This year will see several teams don a Proud Round Guernsey, with many other wearing rainbow socks, laces and more. Below are links to some clubs and their guernsey announcements:

• Western Bulldogs
• Carlton
• Brisbane Lions
• Geelong Cats
• Adelaide Crows

AFLW Round 2 Pride Round a sell out!

What adds to the excitement, is AFL’s recent announcement that “three matches for Round Two (Pride Round) of the 2021 NAB AFL Women’s Competition have officially sold out with no further tickets to be released to Friday night’s match between the Western Bulldogs and Carlton, Sunday’s match between North Melbourne and St Kilda and Sunday’s Q Clash between the Brisbane Lions and the Gold Coast SUNS.”

“Supporters of AFLW are not only attending games in strong numbers – almost one million Australians tuned in to the broadcast of Round One (a 15 per cent increase compared to 2020) – witnessing the highest-scoring opening round in the competition’s five-year history”, said the AFLW website.

BUY YOUR RAINBOW SOCKS AND LACES HERE

Visibility

As part of the dedicated round, all AFL Umpires will wear rainbow-coloured sweatbands, while Goal Umpires will exchange their traditional white flags for rainbow ones.

In addition, the official NAB AFLW competition logo will swap its iconic coral coloured emblem for a rainbow one in celebration of the round, while all 50-metre arc ground markings will also be painted rainbow for the occasion.

History in the making

Head of Women’s Football Nicole Livingstone said the inaugural Pride Round is an opportunity to celebrate the inclusiveness of the NAB AFLW competition.

“We are proud to formally celebrate a Pride Round across the NAB AFLW competition in Round Two and we recognise the leadership of the Carlton and Western Bulldogs Football Clubs who have paved the way with the Pride Game over recent years,” Ms Livingstone said.

“Where we can be more celebratory, where we can be more inclusive, where we can give back to the community, we will.”

AFL Executive General Manager for Inclusion and Social Policy Tanya Hosch said the inaugural Pride Round reflects the competition’s commitment to being a sport for all.

“The creation of Pride Round is another step towards being a more inclusive game, celebrating the contributions of all who contribute to AFLW and ensuring our game is a place of welcome for everyone,” Ms Hosch said.

“We hope the dedicated round is a reflection of our commitment to being a more inclusive sport and we look forward to seeing fans embrace Pride Round throughout the weekend.”

AFL are a proud member of Pride in Sport.

In response to reports St George Illawarra Dragons have submitted a formal application to the NRL to sign Israel Folau, Pride in Sport, the national not-for-profit program that supports Australian sporting organisations and clubs in all aspects of LGBTQ inclusion, has issued the following statement.

Andrew Purchas OAM, co-founder of the Pride In Sport Index, said: 

“Views previously expressed by Mr Folau about LGBTQ people do not reflect the standards and expectations that exist today in Australia.

“His past statements about LGBTQ communities work in direct opposition to the significant progress on acceptance and inclusion that is being made by sporting codes, clubs and organisations across the country.

“If the St George Illawarra Dragons go down this path, there is an expectation that there will be a zero-tolerance policy on harassment and discrimination against LGBTQ people.

“Further, if Mr Folau’s appointment as a player eventuates, he must abide by NRL’s policies on diversity and inclusion, and we encourage the Dragons to have in place strategies that will ensure best practice deliverables around LGBTQ inclusion policy, education, visibility, and cultural safety.

“NRL is a code that prides itself as being a sport for everyone with strong values of diversity and inclusion.

“History has shown Mr Folau’s repeated failures to abide by sporting inclusion policies despite assurances.

“Sporting clubs must take a stand against homophobia, biphobia and transphobia when it happens and send a clear message to all Australians that discriminatory words and deeds will not be tolerated.”

Beau Newell, National Program Manager of Pride in Sport, said:

“We know that the words and actions of high-profile sports persons have enormous impact on our culture and far-reaching consequences. Their statements have a profound influence on the community – especially young people.

“Derogatory and discriminatory remarks about LGBTQ people create division, take away people’s dignity and can contribute to people feeling marginalised, excluded, and inferior.”

“Australians know the importance of having a safe and inclusive sporting culture, no matter the code, and expect a zero-tolerance policy on harassment and discrimination. It is the right of every player, coach, volunteer, fan or spectator to be feel accepted, on and off the sporting field.

“Pride in Sport works with many of Australia’s most prominent sporting organisations, assisting them in their provision of a safe and inclusive environments for all people.

“We look forward to the opportunity to work with the Dragons, and any other sports, on all aspects of LGBTQ inclusion in sport.”

ENDS

MEDIA ENQUIRIES

David Alexander
ACON Media and Communications
Mobile: 0428 477 042
Email: dalexander@acon.org.au

Who are we?

Pride in Sport is Australia’s first and only sporting inclusion program specifically designed to assist sporting organisations at all levels with the inclusion of employees, participants, volunteers and spectators with diverse sexualities and genders, as well as their allies.

Membership Program:

The Pride in Sport membership program is designed to:

• Assist Australian sporting organisations with all aspects of LGBTQ inclusion as it pertains to their sport and those working within the sporting organisation;
• Work with members to achieve best practice as benchmarked by the Pride in Sport Index (PSI);
• Create better health outcomes for LGBTQ+ players, coaches, fans and others by creating inclusive spaces though the reduction of homophobia, stigma and discrimination.

To find out more about the Pride in Sport Membership Program, please click here.

Pride in Sport Index

The Pride in Sport Index is an initiative of the Australian Human Rights Commission and the Australian Sports Commission and a legacy of the Bingham Cup, Sydney. Following the release of the Out on the Fields study in May 2015, the largest international study examining homophobia in sport, these organisations commissioned Pride in Diversity to develop a Pride in Sport Index.

The Pride in Sport Index™ (PSI) is the first and only benchmarking instrument specifically designed to assess the inclusion of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex (LGBTQ+) people within Australian sport and sporting organisations. Participating in the index will allow Australian sporting organisations to not only assess their own practice, but determine that which constitutes good practice, along with the ability to benchmark their own initiatives against an external measure and other sporting organisations.

An advisory group was established to assist Pride in Diversity in the development of the Pride in Sport Index. The advisory group included; the National Rugby League (NRL), the Australian Football League (AFL), the Australian Rugby Union (ARU), Football Federation Australia (FFA), Cricket Australia, Swimming Australia, Water Polo Australia, Basketball Australia and Golf Australia.

To find out more on the Pride in Sport Index, click here.

Netball Northern Territory (NT), the peak body of netball in the Northern Territory, has become the newest member of the Australian Pride in Sport program (and the first state sporting body in the NT), committing to further develop and enhance the inclusion of LGBTQ people.

ACON Health’s Pride in Sport program is the only sporting inclusion program specifically designed to assist sporting organisations with the inclusion of employees, athletes, coaches, volunteers, officials and spectators with diverse genders and sexualities.

Being a Pride in Sport member means changing practices and working towards a more inclusive, safe and healthy sporting environment for people with diverse sexualities and genders.

Ian Harkness, Executive Officer of Netball NT, is excited about the opportunity that Pride in Sport will play when helping promote positive messages and examples around LGBTQ inclusion for netball in the NT.

“Netball NT is pleased to have partnered with Pride in Sport. We aim to further our inclusive practices so that everyone feels welcome”, Harkness said.

Data from the Out on the Fields study showed that 80% of people have either witnessed or experienced homophobia in sport, with 75% believing that an openly gay person would not be safe as a spectator at a sporting event.

Data from the LGBTIQ+ Health Australia showing that LGBTQ young people aged 16 to 27 are five times more likely to attempt suicide compared to the general population, with transgender people aged 18 and over nearly eleven times more likely.

Beau Newell, National Program Manager of Pride in Sport Australia, said actual and perceived social exclusion is a leading cause of preventable death in Australia, and creating a much healthier and safer sporting culture for LGBTQ people has never been more important.

“By joining Pride in Sport and working with ACON, Netball NT is showing the community that they care about the health and wellbeing of their athletes, and members across in the top end” Newell said.

“Congratulations to Netball NT for leading the way in changing Australia’s sporting culture, to be more inclusive.”

Pride in Sport is Australia’s first and only sexuality and gender diverse sporting inclusion program for the Australian sporting sector.

ENDS

For more information please contact:

David Alexander, ACON Media and Communications
E: dalexander@acon.org.au   T: (02) 9206 2044   M: 0428 477 042