Winners Announced at the 2026 Australian Pride in Sport Awards

UWA Sport, Macquarie University Sport, Netball Victoria, Touch Football Australia and Hockey ACT are among a diverse mix of sporting bodies and individuals who have been recognised at the 2026 Australian Pride in Sport Awards.

The Pride in Sport program was launched in 2016 and marks its 10th anniversary this year. The Australian Pride in Sport Awards have been held annually since 2017 as the program’s signature event, making them the longest-running awards of their kind dedicated to celebrating and recognising outstanding efforts to make Australian sport more inclusive of LGBTQ+ people.

UWA Sport was awarded Sporting Organisation of the Year, while a further four organisations were recognised as Platinum Tier. Nine sports were awarded Gold Tier, highlighting continued progress across all levels of sport.

Perth Pythons Hockey Club was recognised as Community Sport of the Year, acknowledging their outstanding contribution at the grassroots level.

Other sports who took home trophies include Australian Football League (AFL), Australian Sports Commission, Emerald City Kickball Australia, Hockey Australia, Lacrosse Victoria, Lets Go Surfing, Melbourne Spectres Basketball Club, Netball Queensland, NSW Rugby League, Shuttle Swingers Badminton, Sydney Roller Derby League, Surf Life Saving Australia, Surf Life Saving Queensland, Tennis NSW, and Volleyball NSW.

Proudly presented by Pride in Sport, a national initiative led by ACON, Australia’s largest LGBTQ+ health organisation, the awards honour those leading the way in fostering diversity and inclusion across the sporting landscape.

Pride in Sport National Program Manager Ben Cork said: “The awards not only highlight excellence but also reflect the growing momentum of LGBTQ+ inclusion across the Australian sporting landscape.”

“From national sporting organisations to local community clubs, this year’s finalists and winners demonstrate how inclusive policies, visible leadership, and meaningful engagement initiatives are driving cultural change and improving participation outcomes for LGBTQ+ people.”

In addition to acknowledging the contributions of sports clubs and organisations, the event also recognises individuals, community members, and allies from a wide range of sporting disciplines for their commitment to advancing LGBTQ+ inclusion both within sport and the wider community.

Cork added: “We congratulate every nominee, finalist and award recipient for the leadership, resilience and impact they continue to drive across the country.” 

“For ten years, Pride in Sport has supported the sector to build safer, more inclusive environments. Tonight, we celebrate that progress. Tomorrow, we continue the work with renewed confidence and commitment, to ensure sport is safe, accessible and welcoming for all.” 

2026 Pride in Sport Awards Recipients

Award	Recipient
Sporting Organisation of the Year	UWA Sport
Community Sporting Organisation of the Year	Perth Pythons
Most Improved Sporting Organisations	• Volleyball NSW [Standard PSI] • Sydney Roller Derby League [Community]
Executive Leadership Award	James E. Shields III (he/him), Emerald City Kickball Australia
LGBTQ+ Ally of the Year	Sharon Deans (she/her), Surf Life Saving Australia
LGBTQ+ Inclusive Coach of the Year	Lauren Barbour (she/her), Melbourne Spectres Basketball Club
LGBTQ+ Inclusion Initiative Award	• AO Pride Day, Tennis Australia • Trans Health Equity Initiative, Let’s Go Surfing
LGBTQ+ Role Model Award	Sandra Lie (she/her), Shuttle Swingers Badminton
Positive Media Award	Jacqueline Shields (she/her), Joy 94.9
Platinum Sporting Organisations	• Hockey ACT • Macquarie University Sport • Netball Victoria • Tennis Australia • Touch Football Australia • UWA Sport
Gold Sporting Organisations	• Australian Football League (AFL) • Australian Sports Commission • Hockey Australia • Lacrosse Victoria • Netball Queensland • NSW Rugby League • Surf Life Saving Australia • Surf Life Saving Queensland • Tennis NSW
Gold Community Sporting Organisation	• Let’s Go Surfing • Perth Pythons
Silver Sporting Organisations	• Australian Sailing • Badminton Australia • Cricket Australia • Diving Australia • Football Victoria • Gymnastics NSW • Hockey WA • National Rugby League (NRL) • National Basketball League (NBL) • Rugby Australia • Squash Australia • Vicsport • Volleyball NSW
Bronze Sporting Organisations	• Australian Dodgeball Federation • Gymnastics Australia • Hockey NSW • Queensland Rugby League (QRL) • Life Saving Victoria • +1 not for publication

For more information please contact:

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

Thank you to our sponsors!

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, players, volunteers 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.