20 March 2019 | Tennis Victoria

Tennis Victoria is thrilled to formally announce our partnership with Proud 2 Play, an organisation with a vision of a world where all LGBTI+ people can lead healthy and active lifestyles.

In an innovative, collaborative approach, Proud 2 Play is also working with Cricket Victoria, Football Victoria and Athletics Australia to ensure inclusion for all LGBTI+ people in sport.

The work, funded through Sport and Recreation Victoria’s Strengthening LGBTI+ Inclusion In Sport project, is centred around providing members of the sporting community with education and support on LGBTI+ inclusion in sport, and assisting sporting organisations to implement more inclusive policies.

“Proud 2 Play are incredibly excited to be working with this group of leading sporting organisations to create a future where LGBTI+ people can participate in sport as their true selves without fear of discrimination or harassment” Proud 2 Play’s Partnerships Coordinator Luke Major said.

“It is also encouraging to know that Sport and Recreation Victoria are committed to a more diverse and inclusive Australian sporting community.”

“Tennis Victoria is very excited to be working with Proud 2 Play to ensure our sport is welcoming to all members of the community,” Tennis Victoria Acting CEO Belinda Kelverlaan said.

“Following on from the first Pride in Tennis event which was held as part of the Traralgon Pro Tour last October, we feel this partnership will be of great benefit to Tennis Victoria and our tennis community.

“Tennis in Victoria is fortunate to have a strong calendar of events through Vic Tennis, who are one of the largest and longest standing LGBTI+ sporting associations in Victoria.  Their calendar highlight is most certainly the Glam Slam with finals held at Melbourne Park during the Australian Open.

“We are also fortunate to have a number of clubs who actively seek to include members of the LGBTI+ community and we look forward to working with Proud 2 Play to ensure more clubs can create this environment,” she said.

Proud 2 Play will be hosting a series of education sessions throughout May to educate employees of these organisations on LGBTI+ inclusion as well as on the ground sporting community members on dealing with discrimination on the sporting field.

Interested in working with Proud 2 Play or need further information? Contact Proud 2 Play’s Partnerships Manager at [email protected].