Pride in Sport Awards celebrate athletes, clubs and organisations for LGBTQ Inclusion

Hockey ACT, Touch Football Australia, Netball Victoria, Tennis Australia and Macquarie University Sport are among a range of sporting organisations and individuals who have been named as the country’s best for LGBTQ inclusion at the 2023 Australian Pride in Sport Awards held yesterday in Melbourne.

Launched in 2018, the Australian Pride in Sport Awards is the first celebration of its kind dedicated solely to celebrating and acknowledging exceptional efforts in making Australian 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.

Acknowledging input to the program, Beau Newell, Pride in Sport’s National Program Manager, stated “Pride in Sport would like to congratulate all sporting codes, clubs, athletes, administrators, support staff and the many volunteers on the efforts they are making to ensure everyone is welcome and supported in sport.”

Along with sporting clubs and organisations, individuals from community, as well as allies, from a range of codes were awarded for their efforts in making their respective sports a more welcoming place for LGBTQ people on and off the field.

The awards showcase the results of the Pride in Sport Index (PSI) - a national benchmarking instrument used to access LGBTQ inclusion within Australian sport.

PSI co-founder, Andrew Purchas noted “every year, the awards build on progress in achieving LGBTQ rights and ongoing work in making sporting arenas, pitches, and spectator stands more inclusive.

“Over the years since the PSI and Awards were established, Australian sporting codes, organisations and clubs have shown that they’re heeding growing calls and expectations that sport is welcoming of everyone. They are taking the positive steps needed to ensure a person’s sexuality and/or gender identity and is not a barrier to being able to participate, spectate or volunteer with sport at any level.

“The growth in participating clubs, organisations and codes is incredibly encouraging as it demonstrates a growing focus on LGBTQ inclusion, zero tolerance of homophobia, biphobia, and transphobia.

“I congratulate all the award recipients and finalists, along with many others working towards making Australian sport an inclusive place for everyone. I’m proud of all their efforts and to celebrate those success stories at the Pride in Sport Awards today.”

The awards, hosted by comedian Bobby Macumber, featured The Voice and Australia’s Got Talent music sensation Jael Wena, as well as the much-anticipated award ceremony.

Newell added “since it was established seven years ago, the PSI has continued to see a tangible shift in practice with LGBTQ inclusion work in Australian sport, as well as greater and demonstrable commitments to providing safer and more inclusive environments and experiences for sexuality and gender diverse people.

“As society becomes more inclusive, there is an expectation that sport also reflects the diversity of our communities. There is more to be done to ensure sport - whether on or off the field - is inclusive of everyone and that every person feels welcome as they are, in the sport they love. Everyone has fundamental right to participate in sport.

“Pride in Sport would like to congratulate all sporting codes, clubs, athletes, administrators, support staff and the many volunteers on the efforts they are making to ensure everyone is welcome and supported in sport.”

2023 Pride in Sport Awards Recipients
Sporting Organisation of the Year
Hockey ACT

Community Sporting Organisation of the Year
Kingston City Rollers

Most Improved Sporting Organisations
Touch Football Australia
Kingston City Rollers

LGBTQ Ally Award
Kerry Tavrou, Tennis Australia

Executive Leader Award
Mick Garnett, Wheelchair Sports NSW/ACT
LGBTQ Inclusive Coach Award
Sam Dengate, T Generation

LGBTQ Out Role Model Award
Sharni Williams, Rugby Australia

LGBTQ Positive Media Award
‘Melbourne United supports and celebrates Isaac Humphries courageous decision’, National Basketball League (NBL)

LGBTQ Inclusion Initiative Award
SLSA Pride Surf Rescue Board, Surf Life Saving Australia

Gold Sporting Organisations
Hockey ACT
Macquarie University Sport
Netball Victoria
Tennis Australia
Touch Football Australia

Gold Community Sporting Organisation
Kingston City Rollers

Silver Sporting Organisations
Hockey Australia
Hockey QLD
Hockey Victoria
Lacrosse Victoria
Tennis NSW
UWA Sport

Bronze Sporting Organisations
ANU Sport
Australian Football League (AFL)
Hockey WA
National Rugby League (NRL)
RMIT University Sport

Images: Winners of the 2023 Australian Pride in Sport Awards (top) and Emilie Hall and Rob Sheekey of Hockey ACT after receiving the Sporting Organisation of the Year award (below). Credti: PSI.