NSW and ACT clubs’ Pride Rounds in 2022

Round 8 is Pride Round for AFLW, which aims to promote and support diversity and inclusion of LGBTQI+ communities and families, and acknowledges the AFL’s journey to being a more inclusive sport.

Many community clubs across NSW and the ACT host their own Pride Rounds throughout the season, with multiple celebrations kicking off across the state and territory in the 2022 season.

Below are just some of the great events our awesome community clubs have done for Pride Rounds in the past 12 months.

.

AFL Sydney – Newtown Breakaways

The Newtown Breakaways continue to lead from the front as Sydney’s most inclusive club, which provides opportunity for all.

Again in 2022, the Breakaways celebrated Pride Round to promote pride in the AFL community and celebrate the participation of the LGBTQI+ community in sport in Sydney’s Inner-West. This year, celebrations included a fundraising event ahead of a massive round of footy hosted at Henson Park, Marrickville.

Each of the Breakaways’ four sides wore the club’s pride guernsey to signify its commitment to creating a safe place for footballers.

AFL Sydney clubs including, UNSW-ES Bulldogs, Sydney University and Southern Power also acknowledged Pride Round in their own way across the course of season 2022, acknowledging the diversity in our game and providing a chance to show their acceptance of difference in the community.

.

AFL Canberra – Eastlake Demons, Ainslie Tricolours, Molonglo Juggernauts, ANU Griffins

In 2022, Eastlake Demons and Ainslie Tricolours played in the inaugural First Grade Pride Game, with both clubs wearing commemorative Pride Guernseys. This was the centrepiece of AFL Canberra’s Pride Round, showcased at Manuka Oval, where these clubs’ senior grades teams faced off and acknowledged LGNTQI+ communities. It was a magnificent event, with 10 local Canberra businesses supporting both clubs.

Additionally, for the third consecutive season, Molonglo Juggernauts hosted ANU Griffins in what has become an annual celebration of pride in our community competitions. The three matches were again played at EPC Solar Park, with Monlonglo hosting a function to celebrate the event. ANU wore a special pride guernsey to commemorate the round.

AFL Canberra looks forward to working with all clubs to create a league-wide Pride Round in 2023 and beyond. Thank you to the four clubs who have showed great initiative with their Pride Round celebrations in 2022.

>

AFL Hunter Central Coast – Pride Cup: Wallsend West Newcastle v Port Stephens Power

Wallsend West Newcastle has had to postpone its annual Pride Cup for a couple of years due to COVID, so the side didn’t let torrential rain derail plans in 2022. Here’s what the Kade Booth, Wallsend’s person behind the Pride Cup, said about its return:

“Inclusivity and diversity is at the heart of the Wallsend West-Newcastle Swans values. Nothing would stop the Swans family celebrating Pride this year, despite going the entire season without a home ground due to poor weather.

“Thanks to our friends at Port Stephens Power who hosted the game at the last minute, we head a great round of footy. Both clubs wore their strip with pride, and holistically embodied all that it stands for throughout the day.

“Wallsend West-Newcastle Swans ultimately came up with the win and retained the Pride Cup. However, the biggest win of the day was the collaboration between two small clubs, who share values of support, family and community, getting around each other.

“Pride is one of the most important rounds on the footy calendar. It brings a sense of connectedness through our love for footy, and celebration of inclusivity and diversity, which was radiating from the players on the day.”

Kade Booth, Wallsend West Newcastle

Pride is one of the most important rounds on the footy calendar. It brings a sense of connectedness through our love for footy, and celebration of inclusivity and diversity, which was radiating from the players on the day.

Through the visibility that pride brings, we can celebrate all those who make the game great, and it was an honour for the Swans to be part of this incredible day again this year.

.

AFL North Coast and AFL North West – Inaugural Pride Round

2022 was a milestone year for AFL North Coast and AFL North West. Both leagues ran their first ever Pride Rounds.

All the clubs embraced the round, which saw Senior Men’s and Senior Women’s grades wearing rainbow socks, and umpires wearing rainbow wristbands. Each league also developed a special rainbow logo.

Clubs across both leagues have suggested an expanded concept, where all senior competition grades have Pride Round matches, not just the regions’ top tiers.

.

>