UniSport commits to inclusion with membership of Pride in Sport

June 25, 2020

UniSport Australia has become the newest member of the Australian Pride in Sport program, committing to further develop and enhance the inclusion of LGBTQ+ participation across the university sport scene.

ACON Health’s Pride in Sport program is the only sporting inclusion program specifically designed to assist National and State sporting organisations and clubs with the inclusion of employees, players, coaches, volunteers and spectators with diverse genders and sexualities.

Being a Pride in Sport member means changing practices and working towards a more inclusive, safe and healthy sporting environment for people with diverse sexualities and genders.

Excited about the opportunity that Pride in Sport Australia will play when helping promote positive messages and examples around LGBTQ inclusion, UniSport Australia Chief Executive, Mark Sinderberry stated “UniSport Australia is pleased to become a member of Pride in Sport. We look forward to improving our programs, events and opportunities to ensure they are more inclusive and accessible for all.”

Data from the Out on the Fields study showed that 80% of people have either witnessed or experienced homophobia in sport, with 75% believing that an openly gay person would not be safe as a spectator at a sporting event. Even more alarming is the data from the National LGBTI Health Alliance showing that LGBTI young people aged 16 to 27 are five times more likely to attempt suicide compared to the general population, with transgender people aged 18 and over nearly 11 times more likely.

Beau Newell, National Program Manager of Pride in Sport Australia, said actual and perceived social exclusion is a leading cause of preventable death in Australia, and creating a much healthier and safer sporting culture for LGBTI people has never been more important.

Newell added “by joining Pride in Sport and working with ACON, UniSport Australia is showing the community that they care about the health and wellbeing of their athletes, members, and University Sporting organisations across the country.

“Congratulations to UniSport Australia for leading the way in changing Australia’s sporting culture, to be more inclusive.”

UniSport Australia is the nation’s peak governing body of university sport.

Pride in Sport is Australia’s first and only sexuality and gender diverse sporting inclusion program for the Australian sporting sector.

18th November 2019 - UniSport Australia representatives elected to international roles at FISU General Assembly

11th September 2019 - UniSport pushes for creation of University Basketball League

13th December 2019 - Spotlight on student research at Massey University sport conference

10th January 2018 - Australian University Sport Awards recognise Kicking goals together refugee project

23rd October 2017 - Clublinks appointed Deakin University sport and recreation management partner

16th September 2013 - Australian University Sport to link with British counterparts on research

2nd March 2020 - Pride in Sport program welcomes Surf Life Saving Australia

22nd November 2019 - Pride in Practice Conference set to be attended by Business, Sport and Health Leaders

12th April 2019 - Pride in Sport welcomes NSW Rugby Union and Rugby Australia action against Israel Folau

4th March 2020 - Finalists announced for National LGBTQ sporting inclusion awards

28th October 2019 - Australian LGBTIQ+ groups receive funding for sport and arts programs

4th October 2019 - YMCA Victoria launches regular inclusive LGBTIQ+ strength training classes

17th September 2019 - Rugby Australia forms alliance to increase participation in the LGBTIQ community

14th June 2019 - Sporting clubs and organisations recognised for LGBTQ inclusion

9th April 2019 - Awards return to celebrate LGBTQ inclusion in Australian sport

10th August 2018 - YMCA NSW launches LGBTI employee staff and advocacy group

20th June 2018 - Athletes, clubs and organisations recognised for LGBTI inclusion

8th April 2018 - New awards to celebrate LGBTI inclusion in Australian sport

25th May 2017 - AFL named ‘organisation of the year’ at LGBTI inclusion awards

22nd June 2019 - New research shows Homophobic language rife in ice hockey

24th April 2019 - New research explores why homophobic language is used in sport

24th November 2018 - Research shows sportsmen still using homophobic slurs on the field

31st August 2018 - Study shows education can change homophobic attitudes in sport

31st March 2016 - Rainbow Laces campaign aims to kick homophobia out of sport

28th June 2015 - Anti-Homophobia in sport campaign wins international awards

11th May 2015 - Major Australian sporting codes pledge to combat homophobia in sport

3rd November 2014 - You Can Play Forum to tackle homophobia and transphobia in sport

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