Pictured L to R: (front) Lotus Rana, Grace Ross Hubble, Maria Bennett, Elizabeth Yong, (back) Jordan Davies, Pete Boyle, Luke Carroll, Brett Morley

Macquarie University Sport has been recognised for the third consecutive year at the annual Australian Pride in Sport Awards. The University was one of only five Australian sporting organisations and individuals to achieve the Gold Tier in the Pride in Sport Index, a national benchmarking tool used to assess LGBTQ inclusion within Australian sport. 

“I am really proud we have retained our gold status,” says Campus Life CEO Pete Boyle. “To do it three years in a row is unprecedented and is testament to the amazing work completed by our University Sport team, our Pride in Sport Ambassadors, our Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging team and the wider Campus Life staff. It truly is, and continues to be, a team effort.  

“Universities play an important role in the Australian sporting landscape, especially when it comes to supporting anyone who wants to participate in sport – and anyone who wants to should feel welcome to do so. This award reaffirms that Macquarie University is a leader in this space and sets a high bar for other universities.”  

Launched in 2018, the Australian Pride in Sport Awards is the first event of its kind dedicated solely to celebrating and acknowledging exceptional efforts in making Australian sport more inclusive of LGBTQ people. The awards are organised by Pride in Sport, the national not-for-profit sporting inclusion program spearheaded by leading Australian LGBTQ health organisation ACON. 

The awards showcase the results of the Pride in Sport Index (PSI), which is used to assess LGBTQ inclusion within Australian sport. The PSI was co-founded by Andrew Purchas, who, speaking at the awards event said, “Every year, the awards build on progress in achieving LGBTQ rights and ongoing work in making sporting arenas, pitches and spectator stands more inclusive.” 

The awards recognise sporting clubs and organisations and individuals from the community, as well as allies from a range of codes who have made efforts to make their respective sports more welcoming for LGBTQ people both on and off the field. The growth in participating clubs, organisations and codes demonstrates a growing focus on LGBTQ inclusion and zero tolerance for homophobia, biphobia and transphobia. The Australian Pride in Sport Awards serve as a reminder that there is more to be done to ensure that sport, whether on or off the field, is inclusive of everyone and that every person feels welcome as they are, in the sport they love. 

“Macquarie University Sport’s commitment to LGBTQIA+ inclusion is evident in the efforts made towards ensuring a more inclusive sporting environment for all. The commendable work is a positive step towards fostering a welcoming and safe environment in Australian sport and serves as inspiration for other sporting organisations to follow suit,” Mr Boyle adds.

The University’s continued dedication to LGBTQIA+ inclusion is a testament to the importance of creating an inclusive sporting culture in Australia.