2025 PSI Awards: Winner Statements - Pride in SportPride in Sport

The PSI is Australia’s national benchmarking instrument for LGBTQ+ inclusion within Australian sport. Below are statements from leaders of organisations who have obtained Gold and/or Platinum Tier status based on the results of the 2025 Pride in Sport Index (PSI) Submissions. Also below are statements from winners in our nominated award categories, which are not based on the results of the Index Submissions, but celebrated along with them.

Platinum Tier Recognition

Platinum Tier recognition acknowledges the highest levels of performance within the PSI over a sustained period of time. Sporting organisations must first qualify for Platinum recognition by achieving a score within the current Gold range of scores for four out of the last five successive years; or be awarded Sporting Organisation of the Year twice within that period.

Once a sport qualifies for Platinum Tier recognition, they may then choose to alternate between a Platinum Project and the PSI Submission. This reduces the full PSI Submission to once every three years should the alternative PSI Platinum Project offer be taken up. Platinum Tier recognition must be maintained annually by maintaining the criteria for four of the last five submission cycles. If this criteria is not met, submitters drop back to the employer tier dictated by their score achieved annually.

Platinum Tier status is the highest obtainable recognition within the PSI.

Gold Tier Recognition

Gold Tier recognition is the highest recognition obtainable for the current year outside of the longevity of Platinum Tier recognition.

Sporting Organisations obtaining Gold Tier have achieved the highest PSI Submission scores within the current year. This recognition is indicative of a substantial amount of work and activity in the area of LGBTQ+ inclusion. Typically, Gold Tier status recognises organisations sitting within the top scores obtained. Gold Tier is an outstanding achievement and sporting organisations that obtain this recognition should be applauded for their level of activity over the given year.

SPORTING ORGANISATION OF THE YEAR | GOLD TIER SPORTING ORGANISATION | Netball Queensland

Netball Queensland is proud to be recognised as the sporting organisation of the year. The commitment and collaboration by everyone at Netball Queensland to ensure a welcoming and safe environment for all who want to participate in our great game has shone through in receiving this recognition.

Netball Queensland has been a proud member of Pride in Sport since 2021. We are committed to building a culture which welcomes, includes and celebrates the LGBTQ+ community. Our Position Statement on Diversity and Inclusion and Member Protection Policy detail our zero-tolerance stance on homophobic, biphobic and transphobic language and conduct. Our Inclusive Uniform Policy includes a range of uniform styles, and we support the right of athletes, officials and volunteers to dress according to their affirmed gender. And, our Policy for the Inclusion of Transgender & Gender Diverse People in Community Netball has been developed to set a standard for safety and inclusion of transgender and gender diverse people in all NQ community competitions and events.

NQ is committed to having an increased focus on community engagement in 2025 and will launch a LGBTQ+ Champion program to establish a network of inclusion champions across the state and the Queensland Firebirds look forward to hosting Pride Round during the Suncorp Super Netball season.

We are honoured to be leading the way and take very seriously our commitment to transition diversity and inclusion from a function to a practice throughout Netball Queensland and our netball communities throughout the state.

Netball Queensland Team

GOLD TIER SPORTING ORGANISATION | Australian Football League (AFL)

The AFL is equally proud and humbled to receive Gold Status recognition in the Pride in Sport Index.

Our vision is for everyone to love and connect with Australia's game and achieving this goal is only possible when all people have a genuine and safe sense of belonging to footy. We are committed to building on this as we collectively continue our journey to being a more inclusive sport for everyone – at all levels of the game. That work never stops.

For more than a decade, the AFL has been working on LGBTQI+ inclusion with the introduction of various initiatives and education programs that highlight inclusion across the sport. These include the annual AFLW Pride Round, the establishment of its AFL Pride and Allies Network, and the launch of a dedicated LGBTQI+ education module which all AFL players and officials were required to complete before the start of this AFL season. The module is also available as an education and awareness resource for all community footballers and officials around the country.

I want to thank all of those over the journey who have offered their advice, support and contributed to making our beloved game safer, more inclusive, and more representative of all our communities. This is important work, and that work continues as together we strive to ensure everyone can be part of our game.

Andrew Dillon
CEO

GOLD TIER SPORTING ORGANISATION | Lacrosse Victoria

Lacrosse Victoria has completed the Pride in Sport Index (PSI) since 2022 and has seen great improvement across all aspects of LGBTQIA+ inclusion. We are extremely proud to be recognised as a Gold Sporting Organisation for our work in 2024, and this achievement recognises our dedication to ensuring the LGBTQIA+ community is safe, affirmed, and welcomed in our lacrosse community.

We are particularly proud of our Trans and Gender Diverse Policy, the Lacrosse Victoria Pride Round, and the Lacrosse Together Cup which celebrate diversity and inclusivity in lacrosse and make a stand against Homophobia, Biphobia, Transphobia and Intersex discrimination in our sport.

Lacrosse Victoria has come a long way, but we know there is still more work to be done. Lacrosse Victoria has committed to supporting LGBTQIA+ inclusion through education, governance, community engagement, and visibility, and the PSI is a valuable benchmark for our organisation to continue to grow and develop to ensure Lacrosse is a sport for all just as you are.

Michael Sholly
General Manager

GOLD TIER SPORTING ORGANISATION | Netball Victoria

At Netball Victoria, we’re extremely proud to receive our third Gold tier recognition through the Pride In Sport Index.

We actively celebrate LGBTQ+ diversity, inclusion and pride within the sport throughout Victoria, and aim to create environments where everyone feels welcomed in netball.

We couldn’t do this without the support we receive from people within the netball community and organisations, large and small - they contribute to making a difference.

The Pride Sport Index gives Netball Victoria the platform to continually grow and develop as an organisation, and empower and advocate for our LGBTQ+ community.

Over the next 12 months we are committed to extending ourselves by providing education to our netball community. We will continue to break down the barriers to provide opportunities for all Victorians to participate in our game.

Andrea Pearman
CEO

GOLD TIER SPORTING ORGANISATION | Surf Life Saving Australia

Surf Life Saving Australia has reached Gold Status on the Pride in Sport Index for the second consecutive year.

SLSA is proud of the work it is doing to improve LGBTQIA+ visibility in surf life saving.

Improvements have been made across the following areas:

Governance and Policy – new DEI Framework released
LGBTQIA+ awareness training sessions for staff
Visibility of activities – Rainbow Beaches, Mardi Gras, Pride Month

President John Baker, AM ESM said, “The ocean doesn’t discriminate, and at SLSA it is our responsibility to make sure that we don’t either. As a community-based organisation, it is of upmost importance that those in the LGBTQIA+ community feel like there is a place for them in our movement. The more colourful our membership, the brighter our future.”

From championing the introduction of the SLSA Pride Rescue Board, to SLSA Board member representation at the Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras with six Board members marching alongside Lifesavers with Pride - it has been a great couple of years at SLSA for diversity and inclusion.

While external initiatives are so important, it is equally as vital that these are backed up by strong internal action plans, and we have done this at SLSA through training and the implementation of an LGBTQIA+ Action Plan.

Pride in Sport have developed the PSI Submission, an instrument that assesses the inclusion of people with diverse sexualities and genders within sporting organisations based on evidence and responses supplied to questions within the submission document.

SLSA has been a member of Pride in Sport since 2019 and we have improved on our scores each year, reaching Gold Status in 2024

GOLD TIER SPORTING ORGANISATION | Vicsport

As a peak body, Vicsport’s values are to lead by example and so we are very proud to have achieved Gold sporting organisation status from Pride in Sport for a second consecutive year. Following on from our 2023 result, we were committed to furthering our knowledge and education in the LGBTIQ+ space last year and that work has continued into 2025. We aim to be a beacon for inclusion in the Victorian sporting industry and to ensure all Victorians have a place in sport, exactly as they are.

Lisa Hasker OAM
CEO

Nominated Award Acknowledgements

While additional or individual awards given at the Awards do not form part of the benchmarking data, they are assessed against a criterion requiring evidence and external endorsements. Each of these award submissions are assessed against a predetermined scoring rubric.

The nominations acknowledge the support, advocacy and/or contribution to LGBTQ+ inclusion within sport from leaders, athletes, coaches, role models, allies, journalists, initiatives or campaigns, and more. for their outstanding contributions to LGBTQ+ inclusion within Australian sport.

EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP AWARD | Kate Davies, Netball Queensland

I’m incredibly honored to receive the Pride in Sport Executive of the Year Award. This recognition isn't about me - it reflects the collective effort of the passionate people at Netball Queensland who believe in the power of inclusion. True leadership means creating spaces where everyone can thrive as their authentic selves, and I’m proud to stand beside those who make that possible every day.

Let’s keep pushing forward - with pride, with purpose, and with each other.

Kate Davies

CEO, Netball Queensland

LGBTQ+ INCLUSIVE INNOVATION AWARD | AFL Queensland Pride Round, Australian Football League (AFL)

AFL Queensland is proud to have the annual Jarah Corporate AFLQ Pride Round recognised with the Pride In Sport Inclusive Innovation award.

Since 2019, when the first AFL Queensland Pride Round was held, the Queensland Aussie Rules football community has made significant strides in promoting inclusion and diversity and has been building momentum in celebrating our LGBTQI+ community across our leagues and clubs.

The much-loved Jarah Corporate AFL Queensland Pride Round event is about more than just rainbow socks and flags. It shines a light on the challenges faced by the LGBTQI+ community and champions meaningful change—both on and off the field.

Although there is plenty of work to be done, this award is an opportunity to stop and celebrate the players, coaches, umpires and volunteers in our community clubs who are committed to bringing our vision of everyone loving and connecting with Australia’s game to life.

As an industry, we have made great progress in this space and are committed to playing our role in raising awareness of the importance of inclusion and educating others on what it means to be truly safe, inclusive and a sport for all.

With such strong momentum behind us, I look forward to seeing our continued growth in creating welcoming and inclusive football environments for all LGBTQI+ participants to enjoy in years to come.

Trish Squires
Head of AFL Queensland and International