Hockey Australia proud to be in collective for inclusion
Published Fri 04 Mar 2022
Hockey Australia has joined a host of other National Sporting Organisations (NSOs) in forming a project group aimed at promoting inclusion.
With the initiative driven by Pride in Sport, the project group has been aptly named the Pride in Sport Collective.
Through the project, Hockey Australia will be involved in assisting the development of a suite of policies and resources to help promote inclusion.
The Pride in Sport Collective will change the landscape of Australian sport by addressing the barriers and mental health disparities of the LGBTQ+ community and their high disconnect rates with sport.
Each sport will also deliver a come and try activity (or activities) for the LGTBQ community during this year courtesy of funding from Sport Australia.
The Pride in Sport Collective was officially launched this morning in Sydney’s iconic Oxford Street, home to the annual Mardi Gras which is taking place tomorrow night.
“We are thrilled to be participating in the Pride in Sport Collective with like-minded NSOs in providing more opportunities for inclusion in hockey,” said Hockey Australia CEO David Pryles.
“This project will help us improve the support we can provide the LGTBQ community to engage in our sport.”
“At Hockey Australia we welcome everyone to our sport, just as they are.”
Inclusion is one of Hockey Australia’s four underlying values alongside Leadership, Excellence and Integrity.
“Sport plays a critical role in Australians’ identity, mental health and physical wellbeing,” said Pride in Sport Advisory Chair Andrew Purchas OAM.
“Congratulations to Sport Australia and Touch Football Australia for making the Pride in Sport Collective a realty and involving 12 disparate sports in working together to promote sexuality and gender diversity and inclusion in their sports.”
“The program itself demonstrates the strength of diversity. Pride in Sport is looking forward to working with the Pride in Sport Collective and providing the tools, approaches and expertise enabling each of the sports to maximise participation and engagement with LGBTQ+ communities.”
Hockey Australia was represented at the launch by HA Senior Manager - National Strategic Projects, David Thompson.
Hockey Australia has been a proud member of Pride in Sport since 2019 and in just its second year achieved Silver Tier status on last year’s Pride in Sport Index.
The other National Sporting Organisations in the Pride in Sport Collective are Touch Football Australia (lead NSO), Cricket Australia, Water Polo Australia, Gymnastics Australia, Badminton Australia, Paddle Australia, Australian Fencing Federation, Australian Eight Ball Federation, Australian Dragon Boat Federation, Diving Australia and Squash Australia.
