Hawthorn AFLW player, and leadership group member, Tilly Lucas-Rodd (they/them) shared; “As an athlete, I know the power sport has to bring people together, but I’ve also seen how exclusion and silence can push people away. Too many LGBTQ+ players still don’t feel safe to be themselves on the field. This survey is an important step in listening to these voices to make sure every sporting environment is a place where people feel welcomed, valued and free to thrive.” 

Former World and Commonwealth champion swimmer, Danni Miatke (she/her), said: “In the two decades since I became a World Champion Swimmer, Australia has made great strides in LGBTQIA+ inclusion. Socially and professionally, I am better represented as a queer woman than ever before; however, this would not be the case if I was still a professional athlete, as sport continues to lag behind.” 

“Playing With Pride is a monumental step towards understanding the experience of queer and trans folks in sport. Existing data is critically lacking, and that which is available fails to adequately reflect the diversity within the sector. This initiative will provide invaluable insight into the current state of play, and will be essential in shaping the future of Australian sport. 

“This survey and the proceeding work will ensure that all bodies and voices are included in the decisions made about our sports. In 20 years’ time, let’s look back on this process with as much pride as we do our sporting achievements“, concluded Miatke.

“We need to go beyond slurs and understand the full spectrum of challenges that people face in women’s sport,” says Hayley Conway (she/her), CEO of Pride Cup. 

“For too long, the specific experiences of LGBTQ+ people in women’s sport have largely gone unexamined. This survey is a crucial step towards understanding challenges and celebrating triumphs, building on the inclusive legacy of women’s sport.”

"This collaboration will deliver valuable insights to help drive inclusion across all levels of Australian sport," says Pride in Sport A/National Program Manager Ben Cork (he/him).

"We’re proud to be working alongside PwC and Pride Cup on this important initiative."

"PwC Australia uses its expertise to address the real challenges facing our community. The firm is committed to advancing inclusion, particularly in the workplace, with a responsibility to champion LGBTQ+ equality wherever we can make a difference,” says PwC partner Georgina Box.

“This important survey represents an opportunity to provide policymakers and sporting organisations with the evidence-based insights they need to create inclusive environments in women's sport. Collaborative efforts like this are so essential in building safe, welcoming spaces for our communities.”

The anonymous survey invites all LGBTQ+ individuals who have participated in any sport, at any level, within women's competitions to share their insights. It includes a dedicated section for elite athletes, recognising the distinct experiences at the professional level.

How to Participate:

LGBTQ+ individuals who have participated in women's sport are encouraged to share their experiences by completing the confidential survey here: https://live.remesh.chat/p/7bbfe64a-fa16-4520-b866-3d7d429e8922/

The findings from this survey will result in a comprehensive report, which will be shared with sporting organisations, player associations, and the wider community to highlight the experiences of diverse participants and guide the development of inclusive policies and practices.

About Pride Cup: Pride Cup is the home of Australia’s first-ever PrideGame event promoting LGBTIQ+ inclusion in sport, we provide LGBTIQ+ inclusion education and support to host iconic rainbow-themed game days to sport clubs across Australia. Since launching in 2018, Pride Cup has worked with over 830 clubs across 25 different sport codes. Pride Cup’s unique model has been evaluated by Monash University and VicHealth, finding that Pride Cup clubs are 40-50% less likely to use homophobic language than non-Pride Cup clubs.

About Pride in Sport: Pride in Sport is part of ACON’s Pride Inclusion Programs, alongside Pride in Diversity, Pride in Health + Wellbeing, and Pride Training. Together, these programs work to create safer, more inclusive environments for LGBTQ+ people across sport, workplaces, and health services.

About PwC: PwC Australia is a leading professional services firm with over 7,000 people across Australia and part of the global PwC network of more than 370,000 people worldwide. With 175 years of contributions to the business community, PwC provides assurance, tax and advisory services across diverse sectors including financial services, energy, resources, consumer markets, technology and health. The firm's purpose is to build trust in society and solve important problems alongside clients and communities. PwC Australia is a Platinum Employer with the Australian Workplace Equality Index (AWEI) and supports employee-led networks including Shine, its LGBTQ+ and ally network.

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