Proud 2 Play

We don't just support individuals participating in sport - we support parents and others around LGBTIQA+ athletes in navigating the challenges of sport. When an LGBTIQA+ individual is denied their right to sport - the loss isn't just with the individual, its communal.

Let's support parents in fostering inclusivity in their children's sports experiences this End of Financial Year. Your tax-deductible donation to Proud 2 Play can provide valuable resources and guidance to parents, helping to create an inclusive environment for all. Every donation makes a big impact. Donate today via the link. Together, we can build a supportive community.

https://asf.org.au/projects/proud-2-play-inc/you.-me.-us.---making-sport-inclusive-for-all-with-proud-2-play

Did you know that according to the latest Free To Exist research (link in bio) that 54.2% of LGBTIQA+ Youth participate in sport? This participation rate is dropping due to discrimination that still exists.

Together, we can build more inclusive sports clubs this End of Financial Year!

Support Proud 2 Play to expand our Rainbow Ready Clubs Program and create safe, welcoming spaces for everyone. Your tax-deductible donation can help change the statistic that 70% of LGBTIQ+ people do not feel sport is safe and welcoming. Every bit counts.

Donate either once off or via a monthly contribution via the link below and be a part of this vital change.

https://asf.org.au/projects/proud-2-play-inc/you.-me.-us.---making-sport-inclusive-for-all-with-proud-2-play

Join Proud 2 Play as a Volunteer!

Are you passionate about promoting LGBTQI+ inclusion in sports? Proud 2 Play is looking for dedicated volunteers to join our team as Social Media Content Managers and Social Media Designers & Schedulers. If you have a knack for content creation, social media management, and design, we want to hear from you!

Positions Available:

Social Media Content Manager
Gather and collate engaging content for our social media platforms.
Manage incoming content requests and draft compelling posts.
Actively seek out new content that aligns with our vision.

Social Media Designer & Scheduler
Create eye-catching graphics using Canva.
Edit and format copy for various social media platforms.
Schedule posts and manage our Linktree.

Time Commitment: 2-4 hours per week (Remote)

To Apply: Send your CV to [email protected]

For detailed position descriptions, click the following links

Social Media Content Manager: https://ow.ly/Q8wS50Sm4lb

Social Media Designer & Scheduler: https://ow.ly/ctg150Sm4la

Join us in creating an Australia where all LGBTQIA+ folks can engage in sport and recreation without fear or discrimination!

Join All Gender Games social soccer trainings! ️‍🌈⚽

AGG is a queer-trans soccer competition for LGBTQIA+ folks who have had a tough time finding space in gendered and or “regular” competition.

They aim to provide a community space for folks to have fun and connect to their bodies + sports endorphins.
Trainings are at 📍Princes Park, Carlton North every Tuesday and Thursday (7:15-9:00pm), hosted by Melbourne Uni Soccer Club QTBIPOC volunteers.

There are no fitness or skill requirements to play!

If you’re keen to find community and explore soccer in a safer space, come join their funky fresh good time!

Go to https://www.instagram.com/allgendergames/ for more info and https://musc.eaco.me/widget/musc/?agg=1 to sign up now!

Join Melbourne Spectres Basketball Club for a fun and friendly basketball Train and Play session with the Melbourne Spectres Pride and Allies Basketball Club! The evening will include general basketball drills and skills, followed by social games and a get-together. All skill levels are welcome, so come along and bounce your way into fun and fitness!

📅 When: Thursday, 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
📍 Where: Prahran High School, 138 High Street, Windsor, VIC 3181
(Level 3: Gymnasium, Lift Access via Thomas St)
💸 Fees: It's Free!
Email: [email protected].

Come be a part of a dynamic community where teamwork, respect, friendship, and diversity thrive in a safe and fun environment! 🌟 All are welcome!

Designed to strengthen the Victorian sports industry's knowledge and confidence when engaging and supporting Trans and Gender Diverse (TGD) People, this event from Vicsport, Proud 2 Play and VicHealth on Wednesday 26 June will include a showing of the documentary "Equal the Contest" before a practical workshop will help to unpack learnings for sport organisations to support TGD people and their families!

Register here: https://vicsport.com.au/events/view/1519

Today, on National Sorry Day, we come together to reflect, acknowledge and respect the significance of this day. It's a day to remember the past policies of forced child removal, and the resilience of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who have been affected.

We stand in solidarity with our Indigenous brothers and sisters, recognising the ongoing trauma and impact these actions have had on Indigenous communities, families, and individuals. We understand that saying sorry is just a start, but it's a crucial step towards healing and reconciliation.

At Proud 2 Play, we are committed to fostering an inclusive environment that values every person's unique journey and cultural heritage. Our strength is in our diversity, and we believe in the power of sport and physical activity to unite us all.

Remember, your individual actions matter! Educate yourself, share the stories, and get involved in your local Indigenous communities. Let's build a future where everyone, irrespective of their background, feels accepted and valued.

Let's support these vital organisations and initiatives:

Community Groups

Pay The Rent: Support grassroots to grassroots giving to indigenous causes. Visit paytherent.net.au
Warriors of the Aboriginal Resistance: Advocating for Indigenous rights. Find them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/WARcollective

Justice

Amnesty’s Indigenous Justice Campaign: Striving for equality and justice. Learn more at amnesty.org.au/campaigns/indigenous-justice/
Raise The Age: Keep children and youth out of prison. Details at raisetheage.org.au
Dhadjowa Foundation: Providing support to families who's loved ones have died in custody. Visit dhadjowa.com.au

LGBTQIA+

Black Rainbow: Support Indigenous LGBQTIA+ health and wellbeing. Visit blackrainbow.org.au
Blaq: Empowering Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander LGBTIQ+SB community. More at blaq.org.au

Climate
Seed Mob: Indigenous youth climate network. Visit seedmob.org.au

STEM/Education
Deadly Science: Providing science, technology, engineering & maths education & resources for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander learners in Australia. Visit: https://deadlyscience.org.au/

As we continue to share insights from the "Free To Exist" report on IDAHOBIT, our third post highlights a shifting trend among LGBTIQA+ youth. While engagement with gyms and leisure/fitness facilities is on the rise, traditional sports are seeing lower engagement rates.

🔍 Key Data:

Young LGBTIQA+ people are increasingly engaging with gyms and leisure/fitness facilities.
However, traditional sports are experiencing lower engagement rates.

This highlights the future challenges for the sport sector in potentially losing a generation of young LGBTIQA+ people who view gyms and leisure spaces as alternatives to sport participation.

If you're a sporting club, association, gym or leisure facility, get in contact to learn more about our Rainbow Ready programs, a leading industry framework aimed to increasing your engagement and understanding of the LGBTIQA+ community with a 360 review, audit and development of an LGBTIQA+ inclusion strategy.

Our second insight of the day reveals the persistent issues of homophobia, biphobia, transphobia, and discrimination in sport, affecting LGBTIQA+ youth deeply. While overall statistics show a decline in the witnessing of homophobia, gay men still witness it at alarming rates, similar to levels reported in the 2014 "Out on the Fields" study.

🔍 Key Data:

Overall witnessing of homophobia has dropped, but gay men still witness it at levels similar to 2014's Out On The Fields study.

This suggests targeted LGBTIQA+ diversity work is having a positive impact, but much work remains, especially amidst resistance and backlash to LGBTIQA+ equalities.

Let's continue to push for inclusive and safe environments where all young athletes can thrive.

Storr, R., Yeomans, C., Albury, K., Ridgers, N., & Sherry, E. (2024). “Free to exist”; Documenting participation data on LGBTIQA+ young people in sport and physical activity. Melbourne, VicHealth and Swinburne University of Technology.

On this IDAHOBIT, we unveil key statistics on LGBTIQA+ youth participation in sport. This groundbreaking report shines a light on the unique challenges faced by our community and highlights the urgent need for inclusive and safe environments.

It's clear: More work needs to be done to ensure that LGBTIQA+ youth enjoy the physical, mental, and social benefits of sport and fitness. Contact Proud 2 Play to champion inclusion through education, policy advice, and programs. It’s time to change the trend.

Stay tuned as we continue to share more insights from the Free To Exist study.

Full report and summary available on proud2play.org.au

(Storr, R., Yeomans, C., Albury, K., Ridgers, N., & Sherry, E. (2024). “Free to exist”; Documenting participation data on LGBTIQA+ young people in sport and physical activity. Melbourne, VicHealth and Swinburne University of Technology.)

Starting on IDAHOBIT, May 17th, we'll be sharing key data from Australia's first comprehensive report on LGBTIQ+ youth participation in sport. This groundbreaking "Free To Exist" report features data that has never had academic backing before, highlighting the challenges and discrimination faced by our community. Join us throughout the week as we delve into the statistics and insights, and discuss how we can create safer, more inclusive spaces for everyone.

THIS FRIDAY | To celebrate IDAHOBIT, join us for a presentation of one of the first Australian studies to document participation rates of LGBTIQA+ people in sport and the prevalence of discrimination across sport and movement settings from Swinburne University of Technology alongside VicHealth and Vicsport!

A panel discussion will then follow featuring Carlton Football Club's Darcy Vescio, South Melbourne FC's Andy Brennan and Tennis Australia's Irena Farinacci sharing insights and personal experiences on how to engage and empower LGBTIQA+ young people in sport!

𝗥𝗘𝗚𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗥: https://bit.ly/3JisZuZ

Our Community Development Officer, Kade Matthews, will be chatting to news tonight at 6PM about the impact homophobia can have in sport in light of the recent suspension of Wil Powell by the . At Proud 2 Play, we believe strong leadership, coupled with education and policy, is the only way to create a culture of respect for players of all identities. The action taken by the AFL shows that homophobic language will not be tolerated at the highest level of the sport - but further work must be done to build a culture of respect at all levels of the sport through education and policy development.

Posted • Super Netball has finalised its review, after NSW Swifts shooter Sam Wallace-Joseph took to social media to condemn the overlap of International Transgender Day of Visibility and Easter; potentially breaching its player code of conduct.

The league and club have both distanced themselves from Wallace-Joseph’s comments, meanwhile the review has determined the player will need to participate in Proud2Play’s education program as well as work with Super Netball moving forward in its inclusion initiatives.

Full story: link in bio. +

Proud 2 Play Chief Executive Christine Granger told ABC Sport the organisation was disappointed to hear the news.

"It is disappointing to see any player making comments that cause harm to a community that already suffers extreme levels of discrimination," she said.

"It is vital that role models in sports understand the power their voices hold and the impact they can have on individuals and communities in both a positive and negative way.

"It is harmful comments such as this that continue to create barriers to participation in sports by telling our communities that sport is not a safe space for us.

Despite this, Proud2Play said it would continue to work with the NSW Swifts to educate everyone involved with the club about the need for inclusive practices.”

'It was not my intention to upset': NSW Swifts shooter Sam Wallace-Joseph apologises for Transgender Day of Visibility comments LGBTQI+ sporting organisation Proud2Play expresses its disappointment, as Super Netballer Samantha Wallace-Joseph apologises for criticising International Transgender Visibility Day's overlap with Easter Sunday.

We're setting the record straight on trans athletes in community sports. There's a lot of misinformation out there, and it's important to know the facts.

Trans women participate in sports for the same reasons we all do - to stay active, make friends, and enjoy the game. It's more about community and health than winning medals.

Remember, the right to play sports and to self-identify our gender are both protected by the UN. It's about fairness and inclusion for everyone.

Let's move past the myths and support a sporting community that welcomes all players. Because sport should be for everyone.

Today is Trans Day of Visibility. We’re putting the spotlight on how sporting organisations can create a culture where trans athletes can and be heard.

We’ve got a guide full of practical steps to make sports more inclusive for trans athletes and supporters. It’s about making sure everyone has the space to be themselves and feel part of the team.

Let’s work together to ensure sports are a place where trans people are seen and heard.

A big shout out to these amazing trans organisations doing great work every single day of the year. Give them a follow if you haven't already!

Gender Centre
TransFolk of WA
Ygender
The Shed - Melbourne
Parents of Gender Diverse Children
A Gender Agenda
Transcend Australia
Zoe Belle Gender Collective Inc
Transgender Victoria
Trans Justice Project

Siren #138: Casey Price, Pride in motorsport + book giveaway A Women in Sport Collective

Indulge in the joy of chocolate at our Easter Egg Hunt!

Join us for a delightful community outing filled with hot cross buns, refreshing juices, warm beverages, and endless chocolate delights.

Games and music await for all to enjoy! 🐰🍫

+ EasterEggHunt

Join us LIVE at the FORMULA 1 ROLEX AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX 2024 for an important conversation on the Tech Talk Main Stage at 2:00 PM. We're proud to feature Jessica Alexander (British Overall Endurance Champion 2023, British 6 hour Endurance Champion 2023, Warden Law Sprint Champion 2023 & Racing Pride HQ Ambassador) and Michael Goode (Australia's pioneering openly LGBTIQ+ racer and Owner of Hybrid Digital) as they share their insights on the LGBTIQ+ experience in motorsport.

We’ll be discussing the challenges faced by LGBTIQ+ individuals in the racing world and exploring ways to break down barriers to make motorsport more inclusive. Whether you’re a fan, an ally, or part of the LGBTIQ+ community, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.

🏁💬 Let's drive change together. Join us for this pivotal discussion.

🏳️‍⚧️ Be Visible: Equal the Contest 🏳️‍⚧️

Proud 2 Play is thrilled to partner with Vicsport for an essential event ahead of Transgender Day of Visibility. Join us on Thursday, 28th March 2024, at the State Netball Hockey Centre for a full day dedicated to celebrating and empowering Trans and Gender Diverse individuals in the sporting community.

From the inspiring documentary "Equal the Contest" to impactful workshops, we're here to boost our collective understanding and support for TGD inclusion in sports. This event is a must for leaders in the sports industry, offering practical strategies and real-life stories to inspire change.

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to learn, share, and connect.

More details and registration here: https://www.vicsport.com.au/events/view/1519

Proud 2 Play, in partnership with Racing Pride HQ and Motorsport Australia, invites LGBTIQ+ motorsport fans and allies to an unforgettable day at the FORMULA 1 ROLEX AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX 2024 on 21st March. Join us in celebrating diversity and inclusion within the world of motorsport.

Start the day at the Australian Grand Prix with the launch of the first-ever Pride Hub, a space for LGBTIQ+ people to connect, socialise and learn more about inclusion initiatives in motorsport and beyond. By registering for Pride in Motorsport, you have the chance to attend our exclusive pit walk at 4PM, offering a rare, up-close experience with the Formula 1 teams and cars (please note, spots are strictly limited).

In the evening, the 3rd Pride in Motorsport Networking Event takes place at the Victorian Pride Centre in St Kilda, right next to the circuit. This gathering is the perfect opportunity for LGBTIQ+ individuals and allies to meet leading engineers, mechanics, analysts, and strategists from the F1 paddock. It's a prime setting for networking, discovering career opportunities, and deepening your understanding of the motorsport industry.

We're hoping to celebrate our community's passion for motorsport and make strides towards greater inclusion. Whether you're deeply involved in motorsport, looking to break into the industry, or simply a fan eager to learn more, we welcome you to join us.

Secure your spot for these incredible events by visiting https://events.humanitix.com/pride-in-motorsport-2024

Happy International Women's Day! 🌟

Today, we celebrate the incredible women at all levels of sport who break barriers, challenge stereotypes, and champion equality. This year's theme is , and we want to hear from you!

Who are the trailblazing women in your sporting life that inspire inclusion and empower everyone to be their authentic selves? Share their stories and let's amplify the voices that make our sports community stronger and more inclusive for all.

Tag your inspirations and use to join the conversation.

We're thrilled to unveil the world's first Pride Hub at the FORMULA 1 ROLEX AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX 2024, brought to life through our collaboration with the Australian Grand Prix Corporation,, Racing Pride HQ, and Motorsport Australia. This unique space champions LGBTQIA+ inclusion, inviting the community and allies to celebrate the contributions of LGBTQIA+ individuals in motorsport and explore the ongoing journey towards a more inclusive sporting landscape.

Visit us from March 21st to 24th in the Legends Lane precinct to connect, celebrate, and learn. The Pride Hub provides an opportunity for everyone to understand the role they can play in fostering inclusivity within motorsport and beyond.

The Pride Hub at the FORMULA 1 ROLEX AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX 2024 represents a significant step forward in our efforts to promote diversity and inclusivity in sports. By bringing together people from all walks of life, we hope to inspire a wider conversation about inclusion, demonstrating the power of community in creating a welcoming atmosphere for everyone.

🌈⚽🏀 Calling All Australian Sports Clubs! 🏈🎾🌈

Rainbow Ready Clubs is looking for YOU!

Here's your chance to be at the forefront of change! We're now seeking new Expressions of Interest (EOIs) for our Rainbow Ready Clubs program.

The program is fully funded in Nillumbik, Cardinia and Knox - but if you're in another area, we will work with you to fund the program through grant opportunities.

What's in it for your club?

Become a beacon of inclusivity in your community.
Access to a comprehensive framework for LGBTIQ+ inclusion.
Tailored support in areas like policy development, education, and community engagement.

🎯 Whether you're just starting on your inclusivity journey or looking to enhance existing efforts, this program is for you!

Let's work together to create sporting spaces where everyone, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, feels welcomed and valued.

🌟 Don't miss this chance to make a real difference!

📝 Express your interest now and join a network of clubs championing a more inclusive future in sports.

For more information and to submit your EOI, visit https://www.proud2play.org.au/rainbow-ready