New hockey Pride Ambassador announced
Published Fri 31 Mar 2023
Fittingly on Transgender Day of Visibility, Hockey Australia is excited to announce Roxy Tickle as one of the sport’s Pride Ambassadors.
March 31 each year is Transgender Day of Visibility, an international celebration of trans pride and awareness, recognising trans and gender diverse experiences and achievements.
“There is a lack of representation and role models in the community for many gender diverse people,” said Hockey Australia Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Manager Melissa Gmeiner.
“Having ambassadors such as Roxy and celebrating important days of significance such as Trans Day of Visibility are vital to ensure we continue encouraging inclusion in hockey.”
Roxy took some time out to discuss becoming a Pride Ambassador.
Why are days such as Transgender Day of Visibility important to the LGBTQ+ community?
RT: “Trans and gender diverse people often melt into the background of the world around them. Sometimes because they are just trying to live their life, sometimes to avoid attention, discrimination or even violence. Transgender Day of Visibility reminds us all that one or two people out of every 100 people that we know are subject to negative attention or worse simply for living as their true self.”
How has hockey been part of your life?
RT: “After not playing hockey for 25 years, it is wonderful to be playing again with my friends. This year will be my fourth year for East Lismore Hockey Club … I’m starting a little late this year, but I can’t wait to get out there!”
How important is it to have a policy such as Hockey Australia’s Trans & Gender Diverse Guidelines?
RT: “It has proved to be vitally important, but not for the reason I expected. Contrary to some of the negative chatter you hear sometimes in the media, community hockey is accepting by default. It turned out that the inclusion guidelines are there to support hockey administrators in their inclusion by providing assistance.”
What is the importance of sport being inclusive?
RT: “The communities we live in are colourful. We have friends with diverse backgrounds and experiences. The people in our daily lives are individuals. Variety builds cohesive, productive communities. Why would we also not want that on our sporting fields?”
