Colliers ACT head of Real Estate Management Services Chris Park with Eastlake players Daniel Andric and Madeleine Kelly at the launch of their Pride guernsey. Photo: Eastlake AFL Club.
Canberra AFL players will show their support for the LGBTQIA+ community when they run onto the field for their round five matches.
The Eastlake and Ainslie football clubs played the inaugural AFL Canberra Pride Game at Manuka Oval in May 2022 and have inspired all teams across the competition to join this year’s celebration on 20 May.
Eastlake Demons First Grade Men’s team captain Ben McGinness hopes the endorsed Pride Round will encourage players, spectators and the community to look beyond stereotypes and recognise the benefits of sporting inclusion.
“For the whole league to jump on board is a great acknowledgment of the inclusivity of AFL as a sport,” Ben said.
“At Eastlake we’re very passionate about supporting our LGBTQIA+ players and the community, and we’re very pleased to be a catalyst for this event.”
Ben watched last year’s game from the sideline due to injury, but is keen to hit the field wearing the 2023 Pride guernsey this year when the Demons take on Ainslie Tricolours at EPC Solar Park, Phillip Oval at 1:15 pm on 20 May.
“I’m very excited to represent our club on such a special day, not only for our club but the entire LGBTQIA+ community and to showcase that, at Eastlake, we are one team and one club, and everyone is welcome no matter who they are or how they choose to express themselves,” he said.
He said the Demons were “out to win” after going down to Ainslie in round one of the competition.
“The players are excited to rebound from that loss, and we’re all motivated to win,” Ben said.
“To be running out in such a bright and eye-catching new Pride jersey and playing for all those people in our club and their families is extra special.”
The Women’s First Grade Demons versus Tricolours game will kick off at 11:30 am with Eastlake captain Kate Greenacre looking forward to playing in her second Pride Round.
“Being involved as a player last year, and having an opportunity to play in that round was fantastic,” she said.
“I liked the spectacle of it because it shows AFL is a sport that includes everyone from all backgrounds, and it was an opportunity to celebrate my LGBTQIA+ teammates within the AFL community.”
The Eastlake 2023 Pride guernsey. Photo: Eastlake AFL Club.
She says having all teams on board this year shows the importance of supporting Canberra’s pride communities and their families and ensuring they feel supported and included.
“Last year one of my teammates said it was nice that she felt valued, and that’s really important,” Kate said.
“The Pride Round is not about coming out, it’s about coming in and being a part of something that very publicly acknowledges everyone, no matter who we love or how we identify.
“As captain this year, I’m looking forward to leading our team into such an important game that provides an opportunity for everybody to come together and feel supported and recognised and valued for who they are.”
Kate said the Pride event expansion to include all clubs solidified how important inclusion was in the territory.
“Ainslie and Eastlake worked hard to get it off the ground last year, and it’s great now that recognition goes beyond just one or two clubs, and AFL Canberra and the whole competition is putting the pride community at the forefront,” she said.
“Wearing the special Eastlake jersey that combines both our club colours and colours that represent our LGBTQIA+ is significant for me.”
Ainslie finished on top when the two teams went head to head in round one. But Kate says the team has been improving every week and the girls are keen for a re-match.
“We’re a much more competitive side and looking forward to a different game from round one,” she said.
Colliers ACT is again a proud sponsor of Eastlake Football Club’s participation in the Pride Game.
Director office leasing and current Eastlake Football Club games record holder, Aaron Bruce, said a driver behind the event was to foster diversity and inclusion, not only across the AFL in Canberra, but local sport more broadly.
“We commend AFL Canberra for coming on board so quickly and enthusiastically, as they could clearly see the impact the initiative had across the wider competition and how well supported it was,” he said.
“For the Pride game to now be endorsed as a formal competition round is really exciting.”
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