At tennis, we aim to break down barriers and create environments where EVERY person feels confident to pick up a racquet and have a go. After all, small changes in attitude on a community level can lead to huge steps in social attitudes all over the world!
On 17 November, over 1000 athletes, fans, spectators and community members will come together to celebrate the first ever Pride Sports Festival at UWA Sports Park and HBF Stadium.
Bringing together athletes from seven sporting codes, (including tennis at UWA) with national sporting ambassadors, local MPs, drag queens and more, the festival aims to foster confidence, wellness and inclusion within the LGBT+ community, while celebrating diversity in sport.
The festival runs on three core values: Participation, Confidence and Inclusion.
“We’re here to celebrate that anyone can play sport. When 85% of Aussie sports participants have experienced or witnessed homophobia in sport1, we’re here to show that there’s many Perth clubs who are welcoming and inclusive,” says Festival founder Simon Thuijs.
“The Pride Sports Festival champions fun and festivity, rather than best-on-field performances, to help break down the barriers of ‘I could never do that’ and giving people the confidence to try.”
Mr. Thujis said that through the medium of sport, we can help strengthen participants’ response to challenges, such as the increased rates of anxiety and depression the LGBTI community faces.
“LGBTI Aussies are twice as likely to have experience higher levels of psychological distress than their heterosexual peers2,” Thuijs said.
“Sport is a great way to build resilience and social links to a community which provides club members a lifetime of benefits. Participation in recreational groups and social physical activity reduces stress, anxiety and depression.”
Perth’s all-inclusive hockey team, the Perth Pythons, recently returned victorious from their first appearance at the Gay Games in Paris, where 10,000 people competed from around the world. It was this trip that spurred Thuijs to create an event for Perth to celebrate diversity in sport.
John Carey MLA, State Member for Perth, will officially open the Festival as well as commentating one of the exhibition matches on the day.
“As the only openly gay Member of Parliament and strong supporter of three LGBTQI+ teams, I am proud to lend my voice to the Festival,” said Mr. Carey.
The Festival is open free to the public to enjoy exhibition matches, food and drinks, the ‘Have a Go’ hub, entertainment on the main stage, outdoors sundowner celebration until late, and – of course – an after party at Perth’s iconic The Court Hotel.
Interested guests are invited to like the Facebook event to be kept up to date with all of the news and information about the Festival:
https://www.facebook.com/events/1872850722766109/)
Spectators can register for a free event ticket via EventBrite: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/perth-pride-sports-festival-tickets-48266411135?aff=FBevntDescription
ABOUT PERTH PRIDE SPORTS FESTIVAL
Our vision is a world where everyone feels confident playing sport or being active, no matter who they are.
We love sport. But not everyone feels welcome on the field. 85% of Aussie sports participants have experienced or witnessed homophobia in a sporting environment. (Out on the Fields survey, 2015).
We’re here to help change that.
Pride Sports Festival celebrates the little-known underdogs: our array of local, LGBTI-inclusive sports clubs. By showcasing our clubs and their inclusive cultures, we’re helping more people consider that they too can feel welcome on the field.
Read more: http://www.outonthefields.com
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