Australian Pride in Sport Festival

The Pride in Sport Festival is a national calendar of LGBTQ+ led activities which aim to welcome new participants into sports and celebrate the achievements of queer sporting communities.

The Festival will provide a range of pro-bono, financial and in-kind support to organisations across Australia to gather, activate and grow.

Sporting organisations at all levels, and of all types, are encouraged to engage with the Pride in Sport Festival through a range of grant funding and program delivery activities.

Festival Activity EOI Festival Events Calendar

What is ‘Play Well’?

“Play Well” is the Australian Sport Participation Strategy. It aims to create great sporting environments and experiences where individuals of all ages, backgrounds, genders and abilities can come together to access the benefits of sport.

For Pride in Sport, this is an opportunity to partner with sporting organisations across Australia from the grassroots to the national level to deliver an exciting calendar of events, engagements and activations which will innovate, celebrate and grow our communities.

Sport is an integral part of the fabric of our society. Access to sport is a human right. Yet, participation rates for LGBTQ+ Australians are less than half that of the broader population and continue to decline.

The benefits of sport, whether through physical activity, community building, psychological wellness or personal achievement, should be available and accessible to everyone.

“We are redefining participation to be more than just competing. It is about creating safe, welcoming and inclusive spaces where everyone can belong and thrive.” ~ Kieren Perkins, CEO Australian Sports Commission

What is the ‘Pride in Sport Festival’?

The Pride in Sport Festival is a nationwide calendar of activities and events designed to promote inclusivity and encourage LGBTQ+ participation in sports across Australia.

Anchored by a series of events, workshops, and campaigns, the festival aims to create welcoming and safe environments for LGBTQ+ individuals at all levels of sport, from grassroots to national competitions.

“We are committed to transforming the sporting landscape to be a place where LGBTQ+ individuals feel truly included and valued. Our mission through the festival is to activate and engage LGBTQ+ communities in sports, making ‘active participation’ accessible and enjoyable for all.” ~ Beau Newell, National Program Manager, Pride in Sport

Summary of Key Dates


SEPTEMBER

Applications Open: Sunday 1 September 2024

Attend Festival Workshop (at Pride in Sport Summit) – Optional
Tuesday 24 September 2024


OCTOBER

Attend one of the free Australian Pride in Sport Festival Information Sessions.

Information Session #1
Wednesday 2 October 2024; 9:30am-10:30am AEDT

Information Session #2
Thursday 3 October 2024; 6:30pm-7:30pm AEDT

Funding Applications Close: 11:59pm AEDT Sunday 20 October 2024


NOVEMBER

Self Funded EOIs Remain Open (See Here)

Successful funded applicants notified in writing


DECEMBER 2024 – APRIL 2025

Festival Delivery: Promotions, activities, events, activations and research period.


MAY – JUNE 2025

Reporting and completion of acquittal documentation for funded partners.


Our Festival Objectives

Get involved!

Sporting organisations at all levels, and of all types, are encouraged to engage with the Pride in Sport Festival through a range of grant funding and program delivery activities.

The application process supports organisations to design a new event, activation or engagement (or grow an existing event, activation or engagement) to engage with the broader LGBTQ+ community, and identify the key areas of support required for success. This could include:
– direct financial aid through the Pride in Sport Festival grants program,
– provision of project management support and policy guidance,
– community education programs and coach/official training
– participation in marketing campaigns and promotion
– joint delivery of community activations at targeted events

NOTE: It is the responsibility of clubs, organisations and their associated governing bodies to ensure that activities are covered by relevant insurance policies (participant/public liability) and that all volunteers, staff and officials comply with Criminal Record / Working with Children Checks as required.

Any costs incurred beyond the funded amount provided by Pride in Sport remain the responsibility/liability of Festival delivery partners.

Keen to find your new passion in sport? We’re looking for sporty types to connect with new activities and sports throughout the festival period. Pride in Sport will be coordinating a campaign of promotion and storytelling across mainstream media and our social media channels (@PrideInSport).

To keep up to date with the latest events and activities:
– Visit our website
– Sign up for our community newsletter
– Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn
– Connect online with the community sport or organisation of your choice

Further information will be posted on www.prideinsport.com.au/festival as events are confirmed. Registration into for individuals keen to get involved in these activities will be coordinated by individual sports.

The Pride in Sport Festival is keen to drive participation and engagement of LGBTQ+ Australians in all areas of sport.

If you would like to volunteer or learn more about how to get involved with administration, officiating or coaching, follow the links to your relevant State Sporting Organisation. Full details will be provided on our website once events and activations are announced (Nov 2024).

Available Funding

Eligible sporting organisations can apply for grant funding up to $6,000 (from a total pool of $60,000) to support the delivery of activities to promote participation and engagement. Funding applications must be supported by a budget outlining the proposed allocation of funds.

Funding is available to sporting organisations to support activities and events that impact and support LGBTQ+ communities. Preference will be given to activities that promote new participation or include elements of activation and engagement for new participants.

Beyond this funding support, Pride in Sport will facilitate a wide range of activities for sporting organisations, their volunteers, officials and staff.

Funding can be used to cover costs such as:
– venue and equipment hire
– staff expenses
– project management expenses
– promotion and publicity

In line with the Play Well Grant Guidelines, funding cannot be allocated to:
– Building works or infrastructure upgrades
– Catering
– Staff uniforms
– Operational costs outside the scope of your event/activation
– High performance sport programs
– Purchase of assets such as furniture, IT or sporting equipment above $2,000
– Events that have already been run
– International travel expenses
– Regular sporting events such as a scheduled game or local competition
– Regional racing carnivals within a normal schedule of events
– Charity fundraising events

Pride in Sport Festival Application forms are available on the Pride in Sport website.

Assessment of applications will consider:
– Alignment with program goals
– Quality of application and potential for impact
– Identification and commitment of project team and partners
– Previous involvement and commitment to LGBTQ+ community events and activities
– Compliance with eligibility requirements (see below)

Successful applicants will be notified in writing in November. Funds will be available by submitting an invoice for the approved amount to Pride in Sport/ACON Health Ltd. Additional information will be provided to successful applicants.

While unsuccessful organisations can seek feedback on their application, there is no appeals process, and all decisions are final.

Eligible organisations include:
– clubs, organisations and associations across Australia (both metropolitan and regional), who have operated with a not-for-profit status for over three years, and have a valid ABN.

Pride in Sport will favour applications that show connections and partnerships between sporting organisations at both a lateral (multi-club) and hierarchical (community/state/national) level.

No preference will be given to Pride in Sport member organisations; however, the panel will consider previous work on LGBTQ+ inclusion as a factor.

Sporting organisations must commit to:
– publishing and promoting an LGBTQ+ Inclusion page on their website (if not already available). Pride in Sport will provide a template guide to support this action.
– collecting a range of demographic data and participant reporting in order to report on the scope of their engagement activities.
– complying with the ASC Child Safe Policy, and following all relevant policies regarding Working with Children Checks and Criminal Record Checks.

Funding will not be allocated to:
– individuals
– partnerships
– for-profit entities
– trusts
– Local, State and Federal Government agencies
– any organisation or institution named by the National Redress Scheme for Institutional Child Sexual Abuse on its list of “Institutions that have not joined or signified their intent to join the Scheme”.

If you are uncertain if your organisation/group/club is eligible, please email info@prideinsport.com.au

Complete a Pride in Sport Festival Application from the Pride in Sport website’s festival page.

The application pack contains the following elements:
STEP 1: Identify critical elements of support (funding, policy and strategy, promotion, education etc) needed to deliver your event or activity
STEP 2: Develop a simple budget outlining proposed funded expenses (if relevant)
STEP 3: Develop a basic project plan (if relevant)
STEP 4: Develop a communications plan (if relevant)
STEP 5: Collate attachments such as letters of support from project partners and participants (if relevant)
STEP 6: Provide a statement of commitment to meeting the identified outcomes of your project plan, (including the creation of your LGBTQ+ Inclusion webpage).

Information and support is available to applicants in a number of ways:
– Attend the Pride in Sport Summit (24 September 2024 – in-person attendance only). A Festival Application workshop will form part of the agenda.

– Attend a Pride in Sport Festival information session (online)
SESSION 1: 02/10/24 – 9.30am – 10.30am
SESSION 2: 03/10/24 – 6.30pm – 7.30pm

Information will also be published to www.prideinsport.com.au/festival when available.

As noted, partnerships between clubs and State/National Sporting Organisations will be favoured. Contact Pride in Sport (info@prideinsport.com.au ) if you need support connecting with your state or national body.

Pride in Sport is here to help. You can contact us with any other questions via email.

Alongside financial support through our Festival grants program, Pride in Sport will provide a range of additional services and benefits to the LGBTQ+ community throughout the Festival calendar.
Education offerings include:
– LGBTQ+ Awareness training for clubs, officials and participants
– LGBTQ+ Awareness training for coaches
– Trans and Gender Diverse Awareness training for clubs, officials and participants
– Empowering Allies training for clubs, officials and participants

NOTE: We strongly encourage staff and volunteers engaged in LGBTQ+ activations and events to have completed some form of inclusion education.

Support for clubs and organisations also includes:
– Facilitated participation in the Pride in Sport Festival Inclusion Checklist, including support to develop an Inclusion Action Plan to guide future strategy.
– Support for Community Clubs to participate in the Community Pride in Sport Index, including the submission/assessment process.
– Support for State and National Sporting Organisations to participate in the Pride in Sport Index (Standard), including the submission/assessment process.
– Promotional support to facilitate participation in the Pride in Sport Survey.
– Participation in research studies led by the Australian Sports Commission and Victoria University.
– Participation in the development of Pride in Sport resources and programs supporting national engagement and activation initiatives.

NOTE: LINKS TO WORKSHOP REGISTRATION PAGES WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE ON THE PRIDE IN SPORT WEBSITE’S FESTIVAL SECTION.

We encourage all sporting organisations to engage with these opportunities – even if you do not intend to host an event, engagement or activation.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

There are many ways clubs and organisations can be a part of the Pride in Sport Festival. Check out the list of additional activities above and consider taking part in online education, completing an Inclusion Checklist for your club or completing a Pride in Sport Index Submission for independent assessment.

You can also help other clubs to promote their events, offer to volunteer or bring along participants to try a new activity.

Yes – Clubs and organisations from all Australian states and territories are encouraged to be a part of this national festival. We encourage regional and remote communities to apply. LGBTQ+ participation is a priority across all parts of our community and landscape.

Not at this time – In it’s first iteration, the Pride in Sport Festival (and associated grants program) will support and promote events and activities between December 2024 and April 2025.

While it may be a consideration in the future, activities outside this four-month period are currently ineligible for funding.

Pride in Sport staff will aid in the facilitation of all Festival activities. While they are not able to provide in-person support for the running of your event/activation, they will be on hand throughout the application and planning process to answer questions and provide advice based on leading-practice and experience.

Pride in Sport will supply an Inclusive Clubs Checklist and can provide support to complete a Pride in Sport Index submission.

Pride in Sport (and partner organisations) can also support your promotions and reporting through our partnerships with festivals, community groups and media outlets.

An organisation’s promoted LGBTQ+ inclusion page on their website showcases their commitment to inclusivity, provides important information and resources, raises awareness and educates about LGBTQ+ issues. This website is also a useful tool for prospective members or volunteers who would like to know more about your sport.

Using clear, explicit language removes any doubt about your commitment to inclusive culture, and helps search engines prioritise your club when people are searching for safe and welcoming sport environments.

This will depend on the location of your event/activity, as some festival organisations (other than Pride in Sport) do prohibit charging admission or require a percentage of profit.

While the Pride in Sport Festival does not prohibit entry fees and participation charges, we encourage organisations and clubs to explore ways of making your activity accessible to the widest population possible – recognising socioeconomic status as an intersectional barrier to participation.

Subsidies for interstate, First Nations or LSE participants can be included as an eligible expense in your project budget.

Yes – Your event can have its own logo and identity, however, there are some requirements to recognise funding partners and participation in the Play Well Strategy. Successful applicants will be provided with a branding kit outlining the appropriate use of co-brands and logos.

Yes – LGBTQ+ communities are the target population for engagement in Pride in Sport Festival activities, but we recognise not all team members and staff will be LGBTQ+.

It is expected that everyone involved display active allyship and we recommend (and provide) LGBTQ+ Awareness training for all stakeholders – particularly those in a front-facing role.

When it comes to LGBTQ+ inclusion, each club or organisation is on their own journey. Engaging with the Pride in Sport Festival, even if it is your first activity, is a great way of ensuring that your community engagement activities are authentic and meaningful.

The Pride in Sport team will collaborate with you to complete a self-assessment using our Inclusive Clubs Checklist and develop an Action Plan to guide your progress. You will also have access to education and resources to support these initial steps towards a more inclusive sporting culture.

Festival Partners