Category : Events

Pride in Sport Awards - News Cover

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

6 Mar 2025 Continue Reading
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Non-Binary ≠ Non-Participation (2021)

Sport has an historic alignment to the gender binary (male and female), however this doesn’t mean those who identify as Non-Binary should be excluded from participating in sport and recreation.

Pride in Sport recently hosted a special online event as a part of International Non-Binary Peoples Day on 14 July, where we explored current restrictions faced by non-binary people, and discussed initiatives and case studies that sports can adopt to make their activities and competitions more inclusive for all people.

Included within this event were some new insights into gender diverse participation in sport, though the results of the 2021 PSI National Survey, presented by Beau Newell (National Program Manager, Pride in Sport).

We were also be joined by a special guest panel, facilitated by Aaron Lucas (they/them), 2019 Australian LGBTQ Inclusive Coach of the Year, from Sydney Roller Derby. The panel includes:

  • Taylor Ling (they/them), first out Non-Binary State Cricketer
  • Stella Lesic (they/them), Founder of the Queer Sporting Alliance
  • Riley Edwards (they/them), Founder and President of ClimbingQTs

This event was sponsored by PlayHQ.

About International Non-Binary People’s Day

Action for the recognition of an international non binary people’s day began in 2012. Activists suggested July 14th for such a celebration, seeing as this date falls directly between International Women’s Day and International Men’s Day. This happy medium would help increase awareness of the nonbinary community and go a long way towards societal acceptance. This is also the reason we are holding this event, today.

Terminology

Non-Binary is a term used to describe a person who does not identify exclusively as either a man or a woman. Genders that sit outside of the female and male binary are often called non-binary.
A person might identify solely as non-binary, or relate to non-binary as an umbrella term and consider themselves genderfluid, genderqueer, trans masculine, trans feminine, agender, bigender, or something else.

20 Jul 2021 Continue Reading
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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

16 Mar 2021 Continue Reading
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National Sports Convention Pivots to Offer Multiple NSC Forums for 2020

Australia’s leading National Sports Convention (NSC), postponed from July this year has embraced the COVID-19 challenge and pivoted, now offering three single day NSC Forums 2020 in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane on the 9th, 11th and 13th November consecutively.

As the sport, government, recreation and play sectors start to focus forward, the NSC Forums bring together global and national leaders along with specialists in each state to share insights and opportunities to recalibrate and prepare ready for 2021’s strategic planning process.

With the continued support of Sport Australia, Sport New Zealand, State Governments of NSW, Victoria and Queensland together with each State Sports Federation an inspiring agenda has been developed.

The NSC Forums have been created to provide insights and opportunities ready for the business planning of 2021 focusing on how to reconnect physical activity, play, recreation and community sport. With significant emphasis on participant interaction, the NSC Forums are structured to encourage greater opportunity for discussions and questions. The initial Keynote Session thoroughly sets the scene:

 

Keynote Session 1: Active Communities and Community Sport – post COVID-19

Exploring what active communities and community sport look like post COVID-19 for delivering physical activity, play, recreation and sport. Ministers for Sport from all three States have been invited to participate and provide insights into their future commitment to sport and recreation to open each NSC Forum.

 

Peter Miskimmin, Chief Executive Officer, Sport New Zealand

 

The New World: A Generational Opportunity to Recalibrate Community Sport

 

 Rob Dalton, Acting Chief Executive Officer, Sport Australia

 

Sustainability for Community Sport: The Big Picture Priorities and How Sport Australia can Support the Sector
Keynote Panel In each State, the panel members will include the CEO’s from the State Government Departments of Sport and Recreation, the CEO’s of the State Sports Federation and a CEO from Local Government to discuss the opening presentations, what is means for each State and the impact on planning for 2021 onwards.

View Program

Each NSC Forum has limited tickets to attend in person, with options also available to participate virtually will be integrated into each Forum.

With online e-delegate tickets from only $99 +GST, it is expected that demand will be high.  Registrations open Thursday 23rd July.

Program details are available at www.nscforums.com.au

 

Editors Notes

The National Sports Convention (NSC) has grown since 2016 as Australia/New Zealand’s largest and most prominent community sport and recreation convention and expo attracting over 1,500 people annually.

Due to COVID-19 challenges the organisers have worked with its 40+ collaborators to pivot its offering for 2020 to take the NSC to key states and structure the event for online access in a Forum format.

The full NSC Forum Program can be found at www.nscforums.com.au

Follow the National Sports Convention on Facebook and LinkedIn

#NSCForum

Further information contact Martin Sheppard, Co-Founder and NSC Forum Convener at martins@smartconnection.net.au or 0404 022 355.

 

Event Details

  • NSC Forum – Sydney – Monday 9th November – Rosehill Gardens, Parramatta
  • NSC Forum – Melbourne – Wednesday 11th November – Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre
  • NSC Forum – Brisbane – Friday 13th November – Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre

23 Jul 2020 Continue Reading
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2020 Australian Pride in Sport Awards POSTPONED

ACON is Australia’s largest not-for-profit health organisation for people of diverse sexualities and genders. We are a fiercely proud community organisation, and our first priority will always be the health and safety of those we engage with: our colleagues, members, event attendees and all event partners.

As a result of Prime Minister Morrison’s weekend announcement on the cancellation of events with over 500 attendees and the need to seriously consider any other non-essential events or gatherings alongside social distancing protocols, we would like to inform you of the precautionary steps that we have taken to protect the health and safety of all.

Pride in Sport Awards and Australian LGBTQ Inclusion Awards (AWEI and HWEI)

As a result of government advice regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, the Australian LGBTQ Inclusion Awards, scheduled for 22 May 2020, and the Pride in Sport Awards, scheduled for 1 April 2020, have now been postponed. New dates will be announced shortly.

We do not want to postpone these important awards events but obviously, the timing could not have been worse. It is important however, that we celebrate the amazing work and achievements of those participating in the index, alongside the work of individual award nominees who have really made a difference in terms of inclusion.

We will update you with all details as soon as we have secured dates, but at this point in time, we are anticipating holding both the Australian LGBTQ Inclusion Awards and the Pride in Sport Awards later in the year.

Of course, we will refund full ticket prices for those who cannot attend on the rescheduled date. Any tickets reimbursed will be offered first to those on our waiting list and then opened to the general public.

AWEI, HWEI and PSI Awards Results

All those participating within the AWEI, HWEI or the PSI will receive their results by the date of the original awards event. Results will include your overall scorecard detailing all scores obtained, employee survey results for those that participated and an AWEI, PSI or HWEI 2020 electronic logo to show participation that you are free to use both internally and externally.

However, all employer, sport and health tier rankings (Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze etc) and associated index and individual award winners will not be announced until the rescheduled event later in the year.

 

 

Read full memo, here:

16 Mar 2020 Continue Reading
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MARDI GRAS FILM FESTIVAL 2016

Pride in Diversity and ACON are proud supporters of the Mardi Gras Film Festival, presented by QueerScreen, which starts two weeks from today, Feb 18 – Mar 3.
Full program here

Here are just some of the highlights:

FEATURE FILMS

That's not us 1

  • THAT’S NOT US
    Three couples – one gay, one lesbian, one straight – on a weekend away at a beach house.
  • THE LADY IN THE VAN
    Dame Maggie Smith stars in The Lady In The Van and is a perfect British comedy.
  • JESS & JAMES
    If you love Latin America, join Jess & James on a very fun road trip across Argentina.

DOCUMENTARIES

In-bed-with-Madonna

  • IN BED WITH MADONNA
    Join us for the 25th anniversary screening of In Bed With Madonna, an unmissable outdoor screening.
  • WAITNG FOR B
    Fans of Beyonce must see Waiting For B, a perfect doco set in Brazil, about a group of LGBTIQ youth, who camp outside her concert for two months, to get the best seats.
  • REMEMBERING THE MAN
    HOLDING THE MAN fans, will love Remembering The Man, the documentary on the real people in the book and film.

FOCUS ON SPORT

Scrum 01

  • BACK ON BOARD: GREG LOUGANIS
    Don’t miss the Australian Premiere of BACK ON BOARD: GREG LOUGANIS, a HBO documentary celebrating the life of the multiple Olympic gold medallist.
  • GAME FACE
    An audience award winner at many festivals Game Face follows the one and only transgender lesbian MMA fighter Fallon Fox.
  • SCRUM
    Closer to home, the international hit SCRUM highlights the talent of the Sydney Convicts Rugby Club at the recent Bingham Cup.
  • OUT TO WIN
    Out To Win chronicles the history of out sports stars and features high-profile athletes such as Billie Jean King and Martina Navratilova.

Full program here

3 Feb 2016 Continue Reading
Sapphire

Sapphire event shines light on LBT Women in the Workplace

Sapphire event shines light on LBT Women in the Workplace

A panel of inspirational and “out” female role models, spoke openly about their personal experiences and challenges in the workplace and the community as part of Pride in Diversity’s Sapphire event hosted by Clayton Utz Brisbane.

Spanning three generations, the panellists – University of Sunshine Coast Head of the Student Access, Equity and Diversity and Pinnacle Foundation Board Member, Dr Ann Stewart, CU Perth senior associate, Liz Humphry, and Barrister and President of Queensland Young Lawyers, Florence Chen – each shared their own unique “coming out” journeys and spoke candidly on a range of topics including role modelling and parenting.  Lin Surch from Pride in Diversity facilitated the fascinating discussion.

Read the full story here. 

13 Jan 2016 Continue Reading