Category : Members

Basketball NSW has become the newest member of the Australian Pride in Sport program, committing to further develop and enhance the inclusion of LGBTQ people.

ACON Health’s Pride in Sport program is the only sporting inclusion program specifically designed to assist sporting organisations with the inclusion of employees, athletes, coaches, volunteers, officials and spectators with diverse genders and sexualities.

Being a Pride in Sport member means changing practices and working towards a more inclusive, safe, and healthy sporting environment for people with diverse sexualities and genders.

Maria Nordstrom, CEO of Basketball NSW,  is excited about the opportunity that Pride in Sport will play when helping promote positive messages and examples around LGBTQ inclusion for sport and recreation programs at Basketball NSW.

“Basketball NSW is pleased to have partnered with Pride in Sport. We aim to further our inclusive practices so that everyone feels welcome”, Nordstrom said.

“Basketball is an inclusive sport and by working together with Pride in Sport, we hope to see that everyone that plays our sport, feels safe and embraced with respect. Pride in Sport’s values really align with those of our sport.”

Earlier this year, Basketball Australia released The Diversity and Inclusion Framework, this framework will serve as the guiding principles for Basketball NSW as we develop a Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan for basketball in NSW.

In addition to our membership with Pride in Sport, Basketball NSW also welcomes both the Sydney Spectres a proud LGBTIQA+ basketball club and Queer Sporting Alliances Australia and NZ’s largest LGBTIQA+ sporting club to the basketball in NSW family.

Jane Ubrien, the President of the Sydney Spectres, said “We’re excited to partner with Basketball NSW to promote inclusivity in our sport. We want everyone to feel safe and welcome.”

“It has been our mission for almost 20 years to create a space for LGBTIQA+ people to connect with their community, have fun, and learn new skills.”

“Too many transgender and gender diverse people feel excluded from sport. The Sydney Spectres are committed to helping Basketball NSW set a positive example for the sporting and broader community.”

Stella Lesic the President & Founder of Queer Sporting Alliance, said “Queer Sporting Alliance is pumped to see Basketball NSW’s recent membership with Pride in Sport. QSA’s mission for more inclusive spaces to play basketball is one step closer when peak sporting bodies show up for the LGBTIQA+ community in real, meaningful and practical ways. These partnerships mean that more people may feel able to ‘Come Out & Play’ with QSA and we are stoked!”

Nordstrom added, “We welcome both the Sydney Spectres and Queer Sporting Alliance to our basketball in NSW family, both clubs will assist Basketball NSW in the completion of the Pride in Sport Index and also in developing our Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan”.

If you would like to learn more about our membership with Pride in Sport or would like to get involved in the Pride in Basketball please contact us via info@bnsw.com.au and one of our team will be happy to speak with you.

Data from the 2020 PSI National Survey showed that just 44% of LGBTQ people felt mentally well within their sport, with 44% of people who are not an active LGBTQ Ally saying they were too busy to be engaged in individual activities.

Data from the Out on the Fields study showed that 80% of people have either witnessed or experienced homophobia in sport, with 75% believing that an openly gay person would not be safe as a spectator at a sporting event.

Data from the LGBTIQ+ Health Australia showing that LGBTQ young people aged 16 to 27 are five times more likely to attempt suicide compared to the general population, with transgender people aged 18 and over nearly eleven times more likely.

Beau Newell, National Program Manager of Pride in Sport Australia, said actual and perceived social exclusion is a leading cause of preventable death in Australia, and creating a much healthier and safer sporting culture for LGBTQ people has never been more important.

“By joining Pride in Sport and working with ACON, Basketball NSW is showing the community that they care about the health and wellbeing of their athletes, and members across NSW” Newell said.

“Congratulations to Basketball NSW for leading the way in changing Australia’s sporting culture, to be more inclusive.”

Pride in Sport is Australia’s first and only sexuality and gender diverse sporting inclusion program for the Australian sporting sector.

You can follow our Pride in Basketball page on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/prideinbasketball/ or visit

https://www.bnsw.com.au/pride-in-basketball

ENDS

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, athletes, coaches, volunteers, officials 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 LGBTQ 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.

ACON / Pride in Sport Media Contact:

David Alexander, ACON Media and Communications

E: dalexander@acon.org.au

T: (02) 9206 2044

M: 0428 477 042

Basketball NSW Media Contact:

Geoff Tripp, General Manager Growth & Marketing

E: geoff.tripp@bnsw.com.au

T: (02) 8765 8555

M: 0418 235 785

UWA Sport has become the newest member of the Australian Pride in Sport program, committing to further develop and enhance the inclusion of LGBTQ people. 

ACON Health’s Pride in Sport program is the only sporting inclusion program specifically designed to assist sporting organisations with the inclusion of employees, athletes, coaches, volunteers, officials and spectators with diverse genders and sexualities.

UWA Sport is committed to supporting the LGBTQ community by embedding inclusive practices and principles across the many facets of its community. Being a Pride in Sport member means changing practices and working towards a more inclusive, safe, and healthy sporting environment for people with diverse sexualities and genders. UWA Sport believes this is fundamental in order to reflect the diversity of the community in which it operates.

Data from the 2020 PSI National Survey showed that just 44% of LGBTQ people felt mentally well within their sport, with 44% of people who are not an active LGBTQ Ally saying they were too busy to be engaged in individual activities.

Data from the Out on the Fields study showed that 80% of people have either witnessed or experienced homophobia in sport, with 75% believing that an openly gay person would not be safe as a spectator at a sporting event.

Data from the LGBTIQ+ Health Australia showing that LGBTQ young people aged 16 to 27 are five times more likely to attempt suicide compared to the general population, with transgender people aged 18 and over nearly eleven times more likely.

UWA Sport provides an inclusive space, whereby all students and community members can come together in a safe and respectful environment. They are committed to celebrating the LGBTQ community through their values to encourage and support equity, fairness and inclusiveness in all that they do.

Beau Newell, National Program Manager of Pride in Sport Australia, said actual and perceived social exclusion is a leading cause of preventable death in Australia, and creating a much healthier and safer sporting culture for LGBTQ people has never been more important.

“By joining Pride in Sport and working with ACON, UWA Sport is demonstrating that they care about the health and wellbeing of their community” Newell said.

“Congratulations to UWA Sport for leading the way in changing Australia’s sporting culture, to be more inclusive.”

Pride in Sport is Australia’s first and only sexuality and gender diverse sporting inclusion program for the Australian sporting sector.

ENDS

For more information please contact:

David Alexander, ACON Media and Communications

E: dalexander@acon.org.au   T: (02) 9206 2044   M: 0428 477 042

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, athletes, coaches, volunteers, officials 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 LGBTQ 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.

ANU Sport has become the newest member of the Australian Pride in Sport program, committing to further develop and enhance the inclusion of LGBTQ people.

ACON Health’s Pride in Sport program is the only sporting inclusion program specifically designed to assist sporting organisations with the inclusion of employees, athletes, coaches, volunteers, officials and spectators with diverse genders and sexualities.

Being a Pride in Sport member means changing practices and working towards a more inclusive, safe, and healthy sporting environment for people with diverse sexualities and genders.

Katrina O’Mahony, CEO of ANU Sport, is excited about the opportunity that Pride in Sport will play when helping promote positive messages and examples around LGBTQ inclusion for sport and recreation programs at ANU Sport.

“ANU Sport is pleased to have partnered with Pride in Sport. We aim to further our inclusive practices so that everyone feels welcome”, O’Mahony said.

Data from the Out on the Fields study showed that 80% of people have either witnessed or experienced homophobia in sport, with 75% believing that an openly gay person would not be safe as a spectator at a sporting event.

Data from the LGBTIQ+ Health Australia showing that LGBTQ young people aged 16 to 27 are five times more likely to attempt suicide compared to the general population, with transgender people aged 18 and over nearly eleven times more likely.

Beau Newell, National Program Manager of Pride in Sport Australia, said actual and perceived social exclusion is a leading cause of preventable death in Australia, and creating a much healthier and safer sporting culture for LGBTQ people has never been more important.

“By joining Pride in Sport and working with ACON, ANU Sport is showing the community that they care about the health and wellbeing of their athletes, and members across the ACT” Newell said.

“Congratulations to ANU Sport for leading the way in changing Australia’s sporting culture, to be more inclusive.

Pride in Sport is Australia’s first and only sexuality and gender diverse sporting inclusion program for the Australian sporting sector.

ENDS

For media enquiries please contact:

David Alexander, ACON Media and Communications

E: dalexander@acon.org.au   T: (02) 9206 2044   M: 0428 477 042

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, athletes, coaches, volunteers, officials 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 LGBTQ 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.