Wollongong Bulldogs’ Charlie Hill, Lee Murray, Adelaide Curlewis and Zoe Power. Photo: Keeli Dyson.
Wollongong Bulldogs AFL Club is combatting homophobia within the sport by better educating players and in turn breaking down barriers and removing stigma.
In the buildup to its upcoming pride round, the club is delving into issues around homophobia and inclusivity with its members to ensure the celebration goes beyond a tokenistic gesture and resonates with the sporting and LGBTQ+ communities.
“It’s not just ticking that box, it’s actually doing something about it,” Bulldogs VP Zoe Power said. “It’s good to get that visibility of wearing socks and having a pride round but it’s what you actually do with that as well.”
The club partnered with Pride Cup to host a workshop for its own players, with the organisation boasting a 40 per cent reduction in homophobic language in sporting clubs after an event or education session was held.
“You have people coming from all walks of life as well so they may not have the same education in the past or views coming to our club and we just want to give everyone the same access to these opportunities and create a place where everyone feels welcome to come and play footy and make some lifelong friends as well,” Zoe said.
President Lee Murray said it was important for the community to understand the approach to inclusivity so existing and potential players could feel comfortable and welcomed, particularly with many members joining after moving from other areas.
“We are really trying to break down the walls and have a big open community,” Lee said.
“I’m hoping it will just open up so many doors for so many people, maybe someone who thought it wasn’t for them or didn’t know how it would fit in with their beliefs and things like that.
“Also to get a greater understanding of how people might feel or see sport as perhaps a barrier and to get that message out there.”
The club is also spreading awareness and raising funds for Pride Cup – which runs sessions for free – and the Illawarra Shoalhaven Gender Alliance which can offer ongoing support.
“We wanted to be able to give back to Pride Cup but also give back to a local community organisation,” event volunteer Charlie Hill said.
“We know that they’ve (Illawarra Shoalhaven Gender Alliance) helped people in our community; we chose it based on players from the club recommending them.”
While the club has hosted charity fundraisers and education sessions on topics such as mental health in the past, event organisers found this initiative really connected with members.
“Members who are part of that LGBTQ+ have approached me and said that this is really productive and have really felt that sense of it means something to them,” sponsorships and events volunteer Adelaide Curlewis said.
“When I was organising it, I didn’t really realise how meaningful it is to people of this community.
“It’s been really positive which has been really nice.”
The Bulldogs’ Pride Round will be celebrated at Keira Oval on 14 June, with prizes donated by local businesses and a bake sale helping raise funds for the cause.
The club hopes this is just the start, with players set to spread these lessons and attitudes beyond the football field.
“I think the more we can do on it, the more we can stay active with it, hopefully the better off our community is,” Lee said. “Then people hopefully take that into larger communities and workplaces and places like that.”
To get in touch with Wollongong Bulldogs or to find out more about Pride Round visit its website or Facebook page.
The club also encourages those interested in supporting the cause to donate directly to the Pride Cup and Illawarra Shoalhaven Gender Alliance directly.
