PRIDE
LGBTI+ Inclusion Leadership Statement
We believe every individual should feel safe and welcome to be themselves in our competition.
The SFNL embraces diversity and equality, including LGBTI+ communities, acknowledging everyone who is involved within any level of sport, either as a player, official or supporter, should be able to do so regardless of their sexuality.
We strive to create an environment throughout the league where members of the LGBTI+ community feel they are not only welcome, but have the opportunity to play key roles.
We believe collectively, the SFNL community can help raise awareness that discrimination can have an extremely serious impact on a person’s mental well-being and that it is all our responsibility to ensure this doesn’t occur.
Pride Round
The Southern Football Netball League announced earlier this year that it is including LGBTI+ communities as part of the SFNL Social Charter. To reinforce this position, the SFNL will be holding a league-wide themed round to celebrate Pride over the 11-13 August.
NEWS: SFNL Formally Includes LGBTI as Part of Social Charter
In doing so, the SFNL will be the first football and netball association in the country to formally celebrate diversity and inclusion in sport through a dedicated Pride Round over the weekend of August 11-13.
This Pride Round initiative comes following the success of the inaugural Pride Shield match between St Kilda City and St Pauls Football Netball Clubs in 2016, with the two clubs to again feature in a marquee Pride Cup match at the Peanut Farm on Saturday 12 August.
The SFNL Board and Administration are excited about the Pride Round and have established a working party for 2017 to assist in the planning and delivery.
The SFNL believes that every individual should feel safe and welcome to be themselves in our competition, and embraces diversity and equality, including LGBTI+ communities, acknowledging everyone who is involved within any level of sport, either as a player, official or supporter, should be able to do so regardless of their sexuality.
The League strives to create an environment where members of the LGBTI+ community feel they are not only welcome, but have the opportunity to play key roles. Collectively, the SFNL community can help raise awareness that discrimination can have an extremely serious impact on a person’s mental well-being and that it is all our responsibility to ensure this doesn’t occur.
All SFNL clubs are encouraged to participate in Pride Round through a number of initiatives, including:
- All clubs have been allocated rainbow laces for men’s (seniors only) and women’s footballers, and netballers to wear in their boots / runners for their matches over the weekend;
- Through the support of most Councils, rainbow 50 metre arcs will be painted on all football grounds for the weekend;
- SFNL Pride Round resources have been provided for clubs to share on social media platforms;
- Engage with your Council’s Youth Services department to see if they would like to be involved in the Pride Round by inviting LGBTI+ youth groups to attend your games.
Together this is another step forward in the SFNL’s continuing aim to positively change the sporting culture and make community sport more inclusive for all. We are asking clubs and their communities to participate by making this round truly inclusive.
Pride Cup
Pride Game 2017 Survey
Please take the time to complete a brief survey on the SFNL Pride Round below.
