Pride Cup began as a powerful gesture of mateship in a country footy club and has grown into a national movement for change that unites communities.
When Jason Ball publicly came out as gay in 2012, his teammates from the Yarra Glen Football Netball Club wanted to show him they had his back.
The team came up with the idea to stage a Pride Cup, with players wearing rainbow jumpers, and 50 metre lines painted in rainbow colours.
It was an event that galvanised the entire community and became the inspiration for the now annual AFL Pride Game, first played between St Kilda FC and Sydney Swans in 2016.
Since hitting the national stage, communities across Australia have joined the movement, with Pride Cups being expanded into other sporting codes nationally.
The Pride Cup is run by a small yet dedicated team, committed to creating a world where all LGBTI+ people feel included and accepted.
James Lolicato
Co-Founder & Director
James is the co-founder of Pride Cup Australia and was previously the founder/CEO of Proud 2 Play. In 2017 James was named Australian Community Leader of the Year by the Australian Institute of Managers and Leaders.
OFA 30 under 30 winner
Jason Ball
Co-Founder
In 2012 Jason spearheaded a national campaign to tackle homophobia in sport, culminating in the founding of Pride Cup Australia. Jason is an ambassador for beyondblue and in 2017 was named Young Australian of the Year for Victoria.
Kara Montoneri
Liaison officer
Kara has an extensive background in corporate management of people and projects, and has recently completed her Honours Degree in Health Science (Psychology). As the mother of a young trans child with a keen interest in sport, Kara understands the impacts that social inclusion has on the health and wellbeing of individuals and society.
Since its inception, Pride Cup and our partner communities have won a number of prestigious accolades.
2018
GLOBE Community Award winner
A Healthy Community
Accepted into Melbourne Accelerator Program
(MAP)
2017
Accepted into Progress Labs incubator program
2016
Parks and Leisure Australia National Inclusive and Connected Communities Award
2015
VicHealth Award for Promoting Health Through Sport
Shortlisted Finalist for Victorian Sport Awards, Community Sporting Event of the Year
2014
VicHealth Award for Promoting Health Through Sport – Honourable Mention
Community Broadcasting Association of Australia
Award for Excellence in Sports Broadcasting
(3MDR coverage)
Pride Cup thanks our national sponsors without whose generous support none of our important work would be possible.
Major Financial partner
Merchandise partner
Government partners
Supporting partners
Club partners
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