Category : Sport

PIS-TGD-W1

National Sporting Organisations commit to landmark trans and gender diverse inclusion measures

In a world first, eight peak sporting bodies have committed to implementing governance that supports a greater level of inclusion for trans and gender diverse people in their sports.

At a launch held today at the Sydney Cricket Ground, leading national sporting organisations (NSOs) came together to unveil their policies and guidelines relating to the participation of trans and gender diverse people. The NSOs are:

  • AFL
  • Hockey Australia
  • Netball Australia
  • Rugby Australia
  • Tennis Australia
  • Touch Football Australia
  • UniSport Australia
  • Water Polo Australia

In addition, a range of NSOs have also committed to developing trans and gender diverse inclusion frameworks for their sports following the launch, including:

  • Athletics Australia
  • Australian Dragon Boating Federation
  • Bowls Australia
  • Diving Australia
  • Football Federation Australia
  • Golf Australia
  • Gymnastics Australia
  • Judo Australia
  • Softball Australia
  • Squash Australia
  • Surf Life Saving Australia
  • Swimming Australia
  • Triathlon Australia

After launching their own trans and gender diverse inclusion governance in 2019, Cricket Australia have also committed to supporting other NSOs throughout this process.

This initiative, spearheaded by ACON’s Pride in Sport program, Australia’s only program specifically designed to assist sporting organisations with the inclusion of people of diverse sexualities and genders at all levels, was undertaken following the identification of a need for national guidance on how NSOs can be inclusive of trans and gender diverse people.

Pride in Sport National Program Manager, Beau Newell, said that the joint commitment made by the NSOs marks a major moment in Australian sport.

“This launch demonstrates a fundamental shift within Australian sport towards the greater inclusion of trans and gender diverse athletes. By formalising their stand to be inclusive of trans and gender diverse people, these Australian sports have shown a true and tangible commitment to providing environments where everyone involved is treated with respect and dignity,” Newell said.

“Sport has an amazing opportunity to provide a safe and inclusive environment to all people, including people with diverse genders and sexualities. As a country that holds sport very close to our hearts, it also has a unique position to be able to help change attitudes of many Australians. The demand for more inclusive sporting cultures makes clear that Australian society increasingly expects that sport should be for everyone, including trans and gender diverse people.”

Data from the National LGBTI Health Alliance state that trans and gender diverse adults are nearly 11 times more likely to attempt suicide than the general population, with 35% of trans and gender diverse adults having attempted suicide in their lifetime. Further, international research concludes that trans and gender diverse people are much less likely to participate in sport due to fear of transphobic discrimination from other players, coaches and club officials.

Lifeline CEO Colin Seery said: “At Lifeline, we are well aware of the detrimental impacts of isolation, rejection and discrimination – impacts that can be so devastating to mental wellbeing, they can lead to suicide.

“A sense of belonging is one of our most important human needs and sport provides a great opportunity for connecting with others. Today’s commitment by these national sporting organisations to make their sports more welcoming, inclusive and safe for all Australians is a positive step towards saving lives,” Seery said.

ACON’s Manager of Trans and Gender Diverse Equity, Teddy Cook said: “We know that trans athletes can be targeted on the unfounded basis that we affirm our gender to seek a competitive advantage in sport, but this is untrue and incredibly damaging to all – trans people and our cis allies.

“While many trans people across Australia are members of very inclusive sports clubs, many also report that joining a club is an intimidating and frightening experience. The commitment from these sports provides much needed guidance to the many clubs working hard to be the open and inclusive sport they want to be for all athletes, including those athletes who are trans.

“It is the right of every player, coach, volunteer and fan to feel accepted and affirmed, on and off the sporting field, including trans and gender diverse people, and we know that when this happens, mental and physical health outcomes dramatically improve,” Cook said.

ACON Vice-President and Co-Founder of Pride in Sport, Andrew Purchas (OAM), heralded the launch as world-first move: “I congratulate all the NSOs that have made this landmark commitment in working towards a progressive and welcoming Australia, and encourage others to consider making their sports an inclusive place for all. We are proud of community sports clubs who continue to welcome and affirm their trans players, and to those who look forward to doing so in the near future.”

 

For more information on the guidelines, please visit prideinsport.com.au/trans

 

People needing support can contact Lifeline (24 hours a day) on 13 11 14 or chat to a Crisis Supporter online at lifeline.org.au (7pm-midnight).

ACON provides counselling support for LGBTIQ people and those affected by HIV. To make an inquiry, call (02) 9206 2000 or visit www.acon.org.au

The following services are also available for mental health and wellbeing assistance:

  • Q Life – 1800 184 527
  • Mental Health Line – 1800 011 511
  • Beyond Blue – 1300 224 636

 

Media

For media enquiries, please contact

David Alexander, Media and Communications | 0428 477 042 | dalexander@acon.org.au

ACON encourages the use of the Australian Press Council’s Advisory Guideline for Reporting on persons with diverse sexual orientation, gender identity and sex characteristics.

2 Oct 2020 Continue Reading
QUTSportTeamPiSRelease

Queensland University of Technology announce partnership with Pride in Sport

Queensland University of Technology (QUT), a member of ACON’s Pride in Diversity Inclusion Program have committed to further develop the inclusion of LGBTQ people across university programs and initiatives announcing a new partnership with the Australian Pride in Sport program.

Adam Williams, QUT Director of Student Services and Wellbeing spoke of the importance of recognising and celebrating diversity at QUT.

‘Inclusivity is a core institutional value and we’re striving to ensure that every member of the University can be their authentic self-whilst striving to achieve their full potential whilst studying or working at QUT,

‘Empowering our students and staff who identify as LGBTQ directly contributes to our strength as a Higher Education institution and it’s essential that we continue to maintain and further develop ourselves in this area.

Pride in Sport

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

Emily Rosemond, QUT Sport Coordinator spoke of the importance of providing a safe, inclusive, and welcoming program for everyone within the QUT Community.

‘Sport and recreation activities are an integral component of the student experience and it’s important that we are committed to providing an inclusive environment in all of our programs and activities.

‘We’re really looking forward to working with the team at Pride in Sport to achieve better health outcomes underpinned by best practice as benchmarked by the Australian Human Rights Commission’s Pride in Sport Index.

Alarmingly, data from the National LGBTI Health Alliance showed that young people aged 16, to 17 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. A contributing factor is 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 according to date from Out on the Fields.

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, QUT Sport is showing the community that they care about the health and wellbeing of their athletes, members, and wider university community” Newell said.

“Congratulations to QUT 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 and QUT Sport are proud to take steps for better LGBTQ inclusion in sport.

Pride in Diversity

Pride in Diversity is Australia’s first and only national not-for-profit employer support program for all aspects of LGBTQ workplace inclusion specialising in HR, organisational change and workplace diversity. With the assistance of the program, QUT is dedicated to improving the health and wellbeing of LGBTQ people by reducing exclusion, invisibility, homophobia and stigma in the workplace.

Jasmine Linton – Chair QUT LGBTIQA+ Working Party said QUT’s overarching membership to Pride in Diversity has been a positive step towards creating a more inclusive workplace and learning environment for LGBTIQA+ people within our University.  

‘Over the past three years QUT’s LGBTIQA+ Working Party has implemented several activities and strategies towards achieving better inclusion and equality for students and staff of diverse genders, sexualities, and sex characteristics, but we acknowledge there is always more work to do.

Since developing our LGBTIQA+ Action Plan, QUT has:

  • Ensured there are LGBTIQA+ voices providing direction at a University-wide level in issues that affect the community, and supported the University to make statements of support for community issues,
  • started a new LGBTIQA+ staff network – QPSN,
  • increased and enhanced our ALLY training program,
  • led a united SEQ university presence at Brisbane PRIDE via University Unity,
  • run a suite of campaigns and events recognising days of significance for LGBTIQA+ community
  • built all-gender facilities on campus
  • run forums dedicated to sharing research in the fields of diverse genders, sexualities, and sex characteristics.

We are currently undertaking:

  • a review of gender affirmation processes at QUT with view to improving systems,
  • work to begin improving the inclusion of LGBTIQA+ representation and perspectives in learning and teaching,
  • development of safe spaces on campus.

 

 

 

For more information please contact:

David Alexander, ACON Media and Communications

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

 

1 Sep 2020 Continue Reading
para and pis

Paralympics Australia teams up with Pride in Sport to increase LGBTQ inclusion

Paralympics Australia, the peak body for Para-sport in Australia, has become the newest member of the Australian Pride in Sport program, committing to further develop and enhance LGBTQ inclusion.

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 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.

Jock O’Callaghan, President of Paralympics Australia, is excited about the opportunity that Pride in Sport will play when helping promote positive messages and examples around LGBTQ inclusion for Australia’s Paralympians, Para-athletes and Para-sports.

“At Paralympics Australia, we strongly believe in equality of opportunity for all, not just for some.

“The Paralympic movement has always promoted inclusion by challenging attitudes and breaking down barriers.

“For this reason, I believe Paralympics Australia will bring great value to our new partnership with Pride in Sport and our shared pursuit for greater inclusivity not just in sport, but in society generally.”

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. Even more alarming is the data from the National LGBTI Health Alliance showing that LGBTI 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, Paralympics Australia is showing the community that they care about the health and wellbeing of their athletes, members, and Para-sports across the country,” Newell said.

“Congratulations to Paralympics Australia for helping to lead 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.

 

 

For more information please contact:

David Alexander, ACON Media and Communications
E: dalexander@acon.org.au   T: (02) 9206 2044   M: 0428 477 042

 

28 Aug 2020 Continue Reading
judo nsw and pride in sport cover

Judo NSW partner with Pride in Sport to improve LGBTQ inclusion and mental health

Judo NSW, the state governing body of judo in New South Wales, and Pride in Sport, have been the successful recipients of an NSW Mental Health Sports Fund grant, committing to further develop and enhance the inclusion of LGBTQ participation across judo in regional and rural NSW.

Mental Health Minister Bronnie Taylor urged NSW-based sporting bodies wanting to improve mental health and wellbeing in regional drought-stricken areas to apply for a share of a new $1.2 million Mental Health Sports Fund.

“Sporting clubs are the heart of our rural communities and this fund will assist NSW sporting bodies to work with local clubs to deliver mental health and wellbeing initiatives which suit the needs of local people,” Mrs Taylor said.

“Collectively, sporting clubs have thousands of members across regional NSW and are a great vehicle to promote mental health and wellbeing,” Mrs Taylor said.

ACON Health’s Pride in Sport program is the only sporting inclusion program specifically designed to assist National and State sporting organisations and clubs with the inclusion and improved mental health and wellbeing of employees, players, coaches, volunteers and spectators with diverse genders and sexualities.

The strategic partnership between Judo NSW and Pride in Sport will allow the sport of judo to change practices and work towards a more inclusive, safe and healthy sporting environment for people with diverse sexualities and genders across regional and rural NSW.

Phil McDermott, CEO of Judo NSW, is excited about the opportunity that Pride in Sport Australia will play when helping promote positive messages and examples around LGBTQ metal health, wellbeing and inclusion.

“Judo NSW is pleased to have partnered with Pride in Sport. We aim to make judo across NSW become completely inclusive so that everyone feels welcome”, McDermott said.

While many LGBTQ+ people live happy, healthy and productive lives, there are a range of preventable mental health issues which affect a disproportionate number of people in the LGBTQ community compared to the general population.

LGBTQ people are twice as likely to experience anxiety disorders, three times as likely to experience affective disorders such as depression and social phobias, five times more likely to experience major depressive episodes, and up to fourteen times more likely to attempt suicide.

The project provides a new platform for mental health and inclusion initiatives for judo clubs in regional and rural areas of the state. While the challenge offers a degree of difficulty rarely confronted in regional areas, Pride in Sport will lead the delivery of dedicated LGBTQ inclusion and mental health awareness training, club resource development and a digital campaign as we approach upcoming judo seasons.

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 partnering with Pride in Sport and working with ACON, Judo NSW is showing the community that they care about the mental health and wellbeing of their athletes, members, and clubs across the entire state” Newell said.

“Congratulations to Judo 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.

 

For media enquiries please contact:

David Alexander, ACON Media and Communications
E: dalexander@acon.org.au   T: (02) 9206 2044   M: 0428 477 042

14 Aug 2020 Continue Reading
nbl and pride in sport cover

NBL teams up with Pride in Sport

The Hungry Jack’s National Basketball League (NBL), has become the newest member of the Australian Pride in Sport program, committing to further develop and enhance the inclusion of LGBTQ+ participation on the basketball court.

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 and spectators with diverse genders and sexualities.

Being a Pride in Sport member means working towards a more inclusive, safe and healthy sporting environment.

NBL Commissioner Jeremy Loeliger said. “The NBL is pleased to partner with Pride in Sport. Basketball prides itself on being a sport that is open and accessible to everyone in the community and the NBL is firmly committed to the values of inclusion and diversity.”

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. Even more alarming is the data from the National LGBTI Health Alliance showing that LGBTI 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, the NBL is showing the community that they care about the health and wellbeing of their athletes, members, and clubs across the country” Newell said.

“Congratulations to NBL 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.

 

 

For media inquiries please contact:

David Alexander, ACON Media and Communications
E: dalexander@acon.org.au   T: (02) 9206 2044   M: 0428 477 042

28 Jul 2020 Continue Reading
nsc 2020 1

National Sports Convention Pivots to Offer Multiple NSC Forums for 2020

Australia’s leading National Sports Convention (NSC), postponed from July this year has embraced the COVID-19 challenge and pivoted, now offering three single day NSC Forums 2020 in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane on the 9th, 11th and 13th November consecutively.

As the sport, government, recreation and play sectors start to focus forward, the NSC Forums bring together global and national leaders along with specialists in each state to share insights and opportunities to recalibrate and prepare ready for 2021’s strategic planning process.

With the continued support of Sport Australia, Sport New Zealand, State Governments of NSW, Victoria and Queensland together with each State Sports Federation an inspiring agenda has been developed.

The NSC Forums have been created to provide insights and opportunities ready for the business planning of 2021 focusing on how to reconnect physical activity, play, recreation and community sport. With significant emphasis on participant interaction, the NSC Forums are structured to encourage greater opportunity for discussions and questions. The initial Keynote Session thoroughly sets the scene:

 

Keynote Session 1: Active Communities and Community Sport – post COVID-19

Exploring what active communities and community sport look like post COVID-19 for delivering physical activity, play, recreation and sport. Ministers for Sport from all three States have been invited to participate and provide insights into their future commitment to sport and recreation to open each NSC Forum.

 

Peter Miskimmin, Chief Executive Officer, Sport New Zealand

 

The New World: A Generational Opportunity to Recalibrate Community Sport

 

 Rob Dalton, Acting Chief Executive Officer, Sport Australia

 

Sustainability for Community Sport: The Big Picture Priorities and How Sport Australia can Support the Sector
Keynote Panel In each State, the panel members will include the CEO’s from the State Government Departments of Sport and Recreation, the CEO’s of the State Sports Federation and a CEO from Local Government to discuss the opening presentations, what is means for each State and the impact on planning for 2021 onwards.

View Program

Each NSC Forum has limited tickets to attend in person, with options also available to participate virtually will be integrated into each Forum.

With online e-delegate tickets from only $99 +GST, it is expected that demand will be high.  Registrations open Thursday 23rd July.

Program details are available at www.nscforums.com.au

 

Editors Notes

The National Sports Convention (NSC) has grown since 2016 as Australia/New Zealand’s largest and most prominent community sport and recreation convention and expo attracting over 1,500 people annually.

Due to COVID-19 challenges the organisers have worked with its 40+ collaborators to pivot its offering for 2020 to take the NSC to key states and structure the event for online access in a Forum format.

The full NSC Forum Program can be found at www.nscforums.com.au

Follow the National Sports Convention on Facebook and LinkedIn

#NSCForum

Further information contact Martin Sheppard, Co-Founder and NSC Forum Convener at martins@smartconnection.net.au or 0404 022 355.

 

Event Details

  • NSC Forum – Sydney – Monday 9th November – Rosehill Gardens, Parramatta
  • NSC Forum – Melbourne – Wednesday 11th November – Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre
  • NSC Forum – Brisbane – Friday 13th November – Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre

23 Jul 2020 Continue Reading
ACONeNews_NB_1400x520px_300dpi

Non-Binary ≠ Non Participation

Join Pride in Sport National Program Manager, Beau Newell, for this special event as a part of International Non-Binary Peoples Day.

About this Event

Sport has an historic alignment to the gender binary (male and female), however this doesn’t mean those who identify as Non-Binary should be excluded from participating in sport and recreation.

Join Pride in Sport National Program Manager, Beau Newell, for this special event as a part of International Non-Binary Peoples Day on Tuesday 14 July 2020. We will explore current restrictions faced by non-binary people, and initiatives and case studies that sports can adopt to make their activities and competitions more inclusive for all people.

We will also be joined by a special guest panel:

  • Cr Jane Russo, Transcend Australia’s SA Representative and Chair of Athletics SA
  • Aaron Lucas, 2019 Australian LGBTQ Inclusive Coach of the Year
  • Ro Allen, Victorian Gender & Sexuality Commissioner
  • Merrilee Barnes, Director of Inclusive Sport – Sport Australia

Click Here to register now, and attend this event live!

 

Ask a question

12 Jul 2020 Continue Reading
uni sport and pis logo

UniSport Australia Joins Pride in Sport

UniSport Australia, the peak governing body of university sport in Australia, has become the newest member of the Australian Pride in Sport program, committing to further develop and enhance the inclusion of LGBTQ+ participation across the university sport scene.

ACON Health’s Pride in Sport program is the only sporting inclusion program specifically designed to assist National and State sporting organisations and clubs with the inclusion of employees, players, coaches, volunteers 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.

Mark Sinderberry, CEO of UniSport Australia, is excited about the opportunity that Pride in Sport Australia will play when helping promote positive messages and examples around LGBTQ inclusion.

“UniSport Australia is pleased to become a member of Pride in Sport. We look forward to improving our programs, events and opportunities to ensure they are more inclusive and accessible for all”, Sinderberry 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. Even more alarming is the data from the National LGBTI Health Alliance showing that LGBTI 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 LGBTI people has never been more important.

“By joining Pride in Sport and working with ACON, UniSport Australia is showing the community that they care about the health and wellbeing of their athletes, members, and University Sporting organisations across the country” Newell said.

“Congratulations to UniSport Australia 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.

 

 

 

ABOUT PRIDE IN SPORT

Pride in Sport is a national not-for-profit program that assists sporting organisations and clubs with the inclusion of LGBTI employees, players, volunteers 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 LGBTI 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 LGBTI 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 LGBTI 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.

 

For media enquiries please contact:

David Alexander, ACON Media and Communications
E: dalexander@acon.org.au   T: (02) 9206 2044   M: 0428 477 042

23 Jun 2020 Continue Reading
diving nsw and pis logos

Diving NSW and Pride in Sport Australia address LGBTQ inclusion and mental health

Diving NSW, the state governing body of diving in New South Wales, and Pride in Sport, have been the successful recipients of an NSW Mental Health Sports Fund grant, committing to further develop and enhance the inclusion of LGBTQ+ participation across diving in regional and rural NSW.

Mental Health Minister Bronnie Taylor urged NSW-based sporting bodies wanting to improve mental health and wellbeing in regional drought-stricken areas to apply for a share of a new $1.2 million Mental Health Sports Fund.

“Sporting clubs are the heart of our rural communities and this fund will assist NSW sporting bodies to work with local clubs to deliver mental health and wellbeing initiatives which suit the needs of local people,” Mrs Taylor said.

“Collectively, sporting clubs have thousands of members across regional NSW and are a great vehicle to promote mental health and wellbeing,” Mrs Taylor said.

ACON Health’s Pride in Sport program is the only sporting inclusion program specifically designed to assist National and State sporting organisations and clubs with the inclusion and improved mental health and wellbeing of employees, players, coaches, volunteers and spectators with diverse genders and sexualities.

The strategic partnership between Diving NSW and Pride in Sport will allow the sport of diving to change practices and work towards a more inclusive, safe and healthy sporting environment for people with diverse sexualities and genders across regional and rural NSW.

Gillian Brooker, CEO of Diving NSW, is excited about the opportunity that Pride in Sport Australia will play when helping promote positive messages and examples around LGBTQ metal health, wellbeing and inclusion.

“Diving NSW is pleased to have partnered with Pride in Sport. We aim to make diving across NSW become completely inclusive so that everyone feels welcome”, Brooker said.

While many LGBTQ+ people live happy, healthy and productive lives, there are a range of preventable mental health issues which affect a disproportionate number of people in the LGBTQ+ community compared to the general population.

LGBTQ+ people are twice as likely to experience anxiety disorders, three times as likely to experience affective disorders such as depression and social phobias, five times more likely to experience major depressive episodes, and up to fourteen times more likely to attempt suicide.

The project provides a new platform for mental health and inclusion initiatives for diving clubs in regional and rural areas of the state. While the challenge offers a degree of difficulty rarely confronted in regional areas, Pride in Sport will lead the delivery of dedicated LGBTQ inclusion and mental health awareness training, club resource development and a digital campaign as we approach upcoming diving seasons.

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 partnering with Pride in Sport and working with ACON, Diving NSW is showing the community that they care about the mental health and wellbeing of their athletes, members, and clubs across the entire state” Newell said.

“Congratulations to Diving 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.

 

Visit Diving NSW’s ‘Pride in Diving‘ webpage.

 

 

 

ABOUT PRIDE IN SPORT

Pride in Sport is a national not-for-profit program that assists sporting organisations and clubs with the inclusion of LGBTI employees, players, volunteers 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 LGBTI 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 LGBTI 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 LGBTI 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.

 

 

For more information please contact:

David Alexander, ACON Media and Communications
E: dalexander@acon.org.au   T: (02) 9206 2044   M: 0428 477 042

15 Jun 2020 Continue Reading
covid blog

Call to action: Why LGBTQ inclusion must be amplified in Australian sport, during and post-COVID19.

By Beau Newell

 

Australia is often the home ground for varying levels of disasters, and 2019/2020 was no exception.

To begin a new decade, we were hit with a constant onslaught of events, including extreme drought which led to bushfires (that produced smoke which was seen across the globe), destroyed 8,000+ homes and buildings, and saw more than one billion animals killed. This was shortly followed by floods that came with the heaviest rainfall in 30+ years, devastating communities for the second time in two months. And if natural disasters weren’t enough, a global health emergency (COVID-19 pandemic) was thrown in for good measure just to keep us on our toes.

What’s more is that the culmination of these events has caused mass devastation to sporting codes across Australia. From game cancellations, to thousands of staff losing their jobs (whether temporarily or indefinitely). The heartache has been felt at all levels of sport, from grass roots all the way to international events.

So, why on earth would a sporting organisation look to invest time and money on diversity and inclusion (D&I) work?

OK, lets break it down for you…

What we know from those within sport:

  • In early 2020, over 600 individuals from across various Australian sporting codes participated in the Pride in Sport Index (PSI) survey. Of those surveyed, 57.5% of people believed that their sport should put more effort into the LGBTQ+ aspect of diversity and inclusion work. This is reinforced by 85.6% of respondents confirming it is important that sporting employers be active in this area of diversity & inclusion. [i]
  • At least 59.5% of people believe a sporting organisations positive track record on LGBTQ+ inclusion would influence them to join that sport, heightening the importance of actively and visibly working in this space.
  • Further, just 28% of respondents strongly agreed that their organisation had a focus on diversity and inclusion work for people with diverse genders and sexualities, despite 33.5% of respondents saying they have witnessed forms of negative behaviour / mild harassment targeting people with diverse sexualities and genders within their own sporting organisation.

Mental Health & Wellbeing.

  • Recently, the Prime Minister of Australia highlighted the dire news that support centres such as Beyond Blue, Lifeline and Kids Helpline received between 25-56% increases, respectively, in call for help during the COVID-19 pandemic, compared to the same time last year.
  • Furthermore, those individuals who live between the margins or the minorities of Australian society are more vulnerable and susceptible to the mental health impacts of COVID-19, with 54% of LGBTQ+ people having experienced more mental health issues during COVID-19 compared to 44% of the rest of the population. While being LBGTQ doesn’t increase the likelihood of getting COVID-19, being a minority population means the impact is more heavily felt.

Even prior to COVID-19, we knew that:

  • Young lesbian, gay and bisexual people are 5 times more likely, and Trans & Gender Diverse people are nearly 11 times more likely to attempt suicide in their lifetime.[ii]
  • LGBTQ+ people are up to six times more likely to experience or be diagnosed with anxiety and/or depression.ii

Existing research.

Further to this, is the existing data that already points out the homophobic, biphobia, and transphobic culture that sport more broadly has within Australia such as studies including Game to Play?, Out on the Fields, Equal Play, and Inclusive Sport Practices.

The threat is real.

Adding to all of this is the potential threat of sporting organisations decreasing or obliterating their diversity and inclusion (D&I) budget and/or workforce all together. Irrespective of the reasoning (e.g. budget cuts, reduced income etc.), not having LGBTQ+ diversity and inclusion as part of Australian sports strategic plans could be Australia’s fifth major disaster of 2020.

I don’t say that lightly.

People with diverse genders and sexualities already have an uphill battle to feel included, safe and welcome in sport. Dropping the ball on LGBTQ+ inclusion work will have a negative impact on sports across the country (not just the individual).

We need to broaden the definition of D&I work to capture the new challenges of working during a pandemic. This should see an approach that focuses on solving real problems and not maintaining appearances.

The benefit is achievable

It doesn’t have to be all doom and gloom though. Sporting organisations could benefit from a positive impact if it were to boost this line of work. Participation rates, increased memberships, higher spectator attendance, and even winning the war on candidate recruitment for working or volunteer roles. These are just some of the things a sporting organisation can benefit from.

There has never been a more critical time to demonstrate how well sport can play a role in an individual’s positive health and wellbeing. The beauty is, we don’t need to wait until sport resumes to show how beneficial and inclusive it can be. So, there is no excuse.

D&I work is essential work. Nothing less.

Now is not the time to slow, or stop, D&I work. Today, right now, is the opportune time to embed LGBTQ+ inclusion into your strategic plans. Begin work on governance improvements, participate in online learning activities, and ensure D&I work is solidified as “the norm”.

LGBTQ+ inclusion is essential and critical work that all sporting organisations must be doing, because we are all diverse by default. By not focusing on and/or boosting D&I work, sporting organisations are saying that their members, volunteers, supporters and indeed its workforce are not essential.

Until we can remove all the barriers and disparities faced by diverse populations, we need diversity and inclusion to advocate for change. Sporting organisations must play a vital role in this, or risk losing out.

 

 

Learn more about LGBTQ+ inclusion in sport and what you can do, contact Pride in Sport Australia – info@prideinsport.com.au

 

 

 

[i] PSI2020. Pride in Sport, ACON, www.prideinsport.com.au

[ii] LGBTI Health Alliance, Statistics, https://lgbtihealth.org.au/statistics/

28 May 2020 Continue Reading