Category : Awards

2025 Finalists Announced for National LGBTQ+ Sporting Inclusion Awards

The finalists for the 2025 Australian Pride in Sport Awards have been announced ahead of a spectacular ceremony set to take place in Melbourne on 16 April. Now in its eighth year, the event will bring together sporting identities, clubs, and codes from across the country to celebrate LGBTQ+ inclusion in Australian sport over the past year.

First held in 2018, the Australian Pride in Sport Awards is the first event of its kind dedicated solely to recognising outstanding efforts in making sport more inclusive of LGBTQ+ people. It is produced by Pride in Sport, the national not-for-profit sporting inclusion program led by Australia’s largest LGBTQ+ health organisation, ACON.

This year, the Australian Pride in Sport Awards will be hosted by ABC presenter Patricia Karvelas. A respected journalist and broadcaster, Karvelas is a prominent voice in Australian media, known for her insightful political commentary and advocacy on social issues.

Returning to CENTREPIECE at Melbourne Park, the event will include dinner, drinks, and the highly anticipated awards ceremony. Attendees will also enjoy entertainment from recording artist, ‘The Voice’ finalist and stage star, Stellar Perry.

A key event on the LGBTQ+ sporting calendar, the Australian Pride in Sport Awards honour athletes, employees, volunteers, and organisations while showcasing the results of the Pride in Sport Index (PSI) – the national benchmarking instrument used to assess LGBTQ+ inclusion within Australian sport.

“We have seen firsthand the positive change that can come from fostering inclusive sporting environments, and these awards are a testament to the dedication and passion of those working tirelessly to make this happen”

The awards will feature prominent sporting and community figures, including Pride in Sport patrons, World Cup and Ashes-winning cricket captain Alex Blackwell and NRL legend and trailblazer Ian Roberts. Funds raised from the event will support initiatives aimed at making Australian sport more inclusive for LGBTQ+ communities.

Pride in Sport National Program Manager, Beau Newell, said: “We know that LGBTQ+ people are less likely to participate in sport. At the same time sporting organisations want to see any many people as possible to enjoy playing sport.”

“The PSI enables sporting organisations and clubs across Australia to evaluate and enhance their efforts to include LGBTQ+ people. The Australian Pride in Sport Awards acknowledge and celebrate people and organisations leading the way in fostering safer and more inclusive sporting environments. These awards shine a light on the incredible individuals and organisations that are making sport a place where everyone belongs, regardless of their gender identity or sexual orientation.

“All of these finalists are doing practical work to make members of the LGBTQ+ community feel welcome and valued. They are inspiration for everyone building a community that incudes everyone.”

Newell added: “As the PSI and Awards continue to grow, we are seeing a broader and more diverse range of sports organisations committing to inclusion, reinforcing the message that sport is for everyone. We have seen firsthand the positive change that can come from fostering inclusive sporting environments, and these awards are a testament to the dedication and passion of those working tirelessly to make this happen.”

The 2025 Australian Pride in Sport Awards is on Wednesday 16 April 2025, 6pm – 10pm at CENTREPIECE at Melbourne Park, Olympic Blvd, Melbourne. For more information, click here.

 

2025 PRIDE IN SPORT AWARDS FINALISTS

Executive Leadership Award

  • Andrew Bondini, Spectres Australia Basketball
  • Pete Boyle, Macquarie University Sport
  • Kate Davies, Netball Queensland & QLD Firebirds
  • Daniel Lawlor, Adelaide University Sport
  • Kate Nuttall, Tennis Australia

Inclusive Coach of the Year

  • Corey Bartlett, Ballarat Roller Derby
  • Amelia Catt, Australian Sailing
  • Pete Hammond, Sydney Convicts Rugby Club
  • Christine MacLaren, Rowing Australia
  • Georgia Verry, Conscious Combat Club

LGBTQ+ Ally of the Year

  • Ben Dew, Tennis Australia
  • Melissa Gmeiner, Rugby Australia
  • Paul Heptonstall, National Rugby League
  • Natalie Jacques, Gymnastics NSW
  • Kristina Mitsikas, UWA Sport

LGBTQ+ Inclusive Innovation Award

  • Colour the Campus “Wear it Purple Day”, Macquarie University Sport
  • Jarah Corporate AFL Queensland Pride Round, Australian Football League
  • NSW Pride, Hockey NSW
  • Play with Pride Brunch, Adelaide University Sport & Fitness
  • Trans Participation and Barriers in Sport and Fitness, The University of Sydney, New South Wales Ministry of
    Health Drug and Alcohol Services, and Trans Health Research Group University of Melbourne
  • UWA Sport LGBTQ+ Allyship in Sport Program, UWA Sport

LGBTQ+ Role Model Award

  • Nikki Ayers OAM PLY, Rowing Australia
  • Julie (Jae) Charlton OAM, Wheelchair Sports NSW/ACT
  • Rowen D’Souza, Gay & Lesbian Tennis Alliance
  • Isaac Humphries, Adelaide 36ers & National Basketball League
  • Tyler Juel, Tennis NSW
  • Kalinda Robinson, AusCycling

Positive Media Award

  • AJ Lamarque: ‘Pride Basketball Australia Ambassadorship’, Basketball NSW & Spectres Australia
  • Josh Kerwick: ‘Team LGBTQ+ Comes 7th On Medal Tally In Queerest Olympics Ever’, Star Observer
  • The Project: ‘Fair Play: Trans Inclusion in Netball’, Channel 10
  • Jacqueline Shields: ‘Game On!’, JOY 94.9
  • Lauren Williamson: ‘Campbell Harrison on overcoming obstacles, empowering queer athletes and why a
    good cry is key to resetting’, Body + Soul Magazine

ADDITIONAL AWARDS ANNOUNCED ON THE NIGHT

  • Sporting Organisation of the Year
  • Community Sporting Organisation of the Year
  • Most Improved Sporting Organisations
  • Gold, Silver and Bronze tier Sporting Organisations

Media Enquiries

For more information please contact: David Alexander, ACON Media and Communications
E: dalexander@acon.org.au T: (02) 9206 2044 M: 0428 477 042
‘CLICK HERE’ to download Media Release

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 LGBTI 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

Finalists Announced for 2021 Australian Pride in Sport Awards

The finalists for the 2021 Australian Pride in Sport Awards have been announced. Now in its forth year, the event – to be held on Tuesday 13 April in Sydney– will see sporting identities, clubs and codes across the country gather to celebrate LGBTQ inclusion throughout Australian sport in 2020.

First held in 2018, the Australian Pride in Sport Awards is the first celebration of its kind dedicated solely to recognising exceptional efforts in making sport more inclusive of LGBTQ people. It is produced by Pride in Sport, the national not-for-profit sporting inclusion program spearheaded by Australia’s largest LGBTQ health organisation ACON.

The cocktail evening will feature drinks and canapes at Hyatt Regency on Sydney’s Darling Harbour.

Hosted by ABC Journalist and Twenty10 Board Member, Mon Schafter, this event features drinks and canapes, prominent keynote speakers and includes the much anticipated award ceremony. It’s considered the ‘must-attend’ event on the LGBTQ sporting calendar and is attended by leading advocates including Pride in Sport Patrons Alex Blackwell and Ian Roberts, sports administrators, athletes, and corporate supporters.

The Australian Pride in Sport Awards honours athletes, employees and organisations as it showcases the results of the Pride in Sport Index (PSI) – the national benchmarking instrument used to assess LGBTQ inclusion within Australian sport.

Co-Founder of the Pride in Sport Index Andrew Purchas said the awards builds on progress in achieving LGBTQ rights and ongoing work in making sporting arenas, fields, and spectator stands more inclusive.

 

“The focus on LGBTQ inclusion, zero tolerance of homophobia, biphobia, and transphobia, not only within the corporate sector via their diversity and inclusion practices, but also within sport and society as a whole is unprecedented. Sport has the opportunity to ensure that this focus translates to meaningful societal change and is not just fad. Sport breaks down barriers. Sport aims to create a fair go for all”, Purchas said.

Pride In Sport National Program Manager Beau Newell added: “Many of Australia’s sporting organisations are recognising that positive steps need to be taken to ensure sexuality or gender identity does not impact ones ability to play, watch or be involved with sport at any level. The Australian Pride in Sport Awards allows us to celebrate the outstanding achievements of clubs and individuals in improving and promoting LGBTQ inclusion within Australian sport.”

The 2020 Australian Pride in Sport Awards is on Tuesday 13 April 2021 6pm – 9pm at Hyatt Regency, Darling Harbour Sydney NSW. For more information and to purchase tickets, click here.

 

2021 AUSTRALIAN PRIDE IN SPORT AWARDS FINALISTS

ALLY OF THE YEAR

  • Sean Dixon, Athletics Australia
  • Jane Russo, Touch Football Australia & Athletics Australia
  • Cara Stagg, National Rugby League
  • Craig Tiley, Tennis Australia

COMMUNITY SPORTS AWARD

  • Bushrangers Sporting Alliance
  • ClimbingQTs
  • Melbourne2020 International Gay and Lesbian Aquatics (IGLA) Championships
  • VicTennis

INCLUSIVE INITIATIVE AWARD

  • BlocHaus Bouldering LGBTQ+ Inclusion
  • Glam Slam at the Australian Open
  • Pride Football Australia

INCLUSIVE COACH OF THE YEAR

  • Greg Jaekel, Curtin University Goats/Perth Rams
  • Stuart Mackay, Freezone Volleyball and NSW Volleyball
  • Heath Wilson, Melbourne Rovers FC

OUT ROLE MODEL OF THE YEAR

  • Jonathan Banks, Perth Spectres Basketball Club
  • Courtney Hagen, Carlton Brunswick Cricket Club
  • Stella Lesic, Bushrangers Sporting Alliance
  • Reid Smith, Perth Pythons Hockey Club

POSITIVE MEDIA AWARD

COMMUNITY SPORTING ORGANISATION OF THE YEAR

This award is determined via the results of the Community Sporting Club Pride in Sport Index. 
  • Climbing QTs (Rock Climbing)
  • Flying Bats Womens Football Club (Football)
  • Maitland Touch Association (Touch Football)
  • Melbourne University Soccer Club (Football)
  • Melbourne University Softball Club (Softball)
  • Sydney Convicts RUFC (Rugby Union)

 

Also being announced at this event will be the Gold, Silver and Bronze tier Pride in Sport Index (PSI) results, and the overall Sporting Organisation of the year (based on the highest results in the PSI).

 

N.B. Our aim is to announce four finalists across each category. These numbers may vary form time to time. 

About Pride In Sport

Launched in 2016, the PSI was developed in conjunction with the Australian Human Rights Commission, the Australian Sports Commission and Bingham Cup Sydney, alongside an advisory group comprising representatives from a range of peak sporting bodies including the National Rugby League, the Australian Football League, the Australian Rugby Union and Football Federation Australia.

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 people with diverse sexualities and genders across Australian sport. 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.

Pride in Sport is an ACON program, one of three within the Pride Inclusion Programs that specifically look at the inclusion of people of diverse genders and sexualities within sport, the workplace and health service provision.

 

 

Media Inquiries:

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