The Queensland Firebirds are set to host the first Super Netball Pride Game. (Photo: Queensland Firebirds)
The Queensland Firebirds today announced that they will hold the inaugural Super Netball Pride Match against the Collingwood Magpies in Round 14.
Netball Queensland and the Queensland Firebirds have become members of ACON Health’s Pride in Sport program, ensuring that the Netball community in Queensland have access to a range of inclusive and respectful services.
The membership with Pride in Sport aims to promote self affirmation, dignity, equality and increase visibility of LGBTIQA+ people (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, gender diverse, intersex, queer, asexual and questioning) in the netball community.
Netball Queensland and Queensland Firebirds CEO, Cathrine Clark is looking forward to the opportunity that Pride in Sport will play when helping to promote positive messages and examples around inclusion for the LGBTIQA+ inclusion for netball and sport in general.
“Through our partnership, we aim to further our inclusive practices so that everyone feels welcome in our netball community,” Clark said.
“On an individual level, we know the increased visibility of the LGBTIQA+ community can serve as a reminder of worth, help minimise isolation and offer opportunities to connect through sport.
“We live and breathe our values everyday of being brave and inclusive. We want to celebrate and encourage the diversity within our netball community and an opportunity to inspire all of our associations and clubs across Queensland to consider what they are doing to ensure that the LGBTIQA+ community feel welcome and supported every day.
“You will learn a lot about yourself if you stretch in the direction of kindness, inclusivity and emotional bravery. Stand for equality.”
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Pride in Sport is the only program in Australia of its kind.
Beau Newell, National Program Manager of Pride in Sport Australia, said both actual and perceived social exclusion is a leading cause of preventable death in Australia, and being able to create a safer and healthier sporting culture for LGBTIGA+ people has never been more important.
“By joining Pride in Sport and working with ACON, Netball Queensland and the Queensland Firebirds are showing the community that they care about the health and wellbeing of their athletes, and members across Queensland”, Newell said.
“Congratulations to Netball Queensland and the Queensland Firebirds for leading the way in changing Australia’s sporting culture, to be more inclusive.”
The details of the Pride Match is still to be confirmed but will take place in the Firebirds’ final game of the home and away season when they take on the Collingwood Magpies.
Fans can pre-order a pride supporter shirt with Netball Queensland donating all funds raised to Pride in Sport, here.
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