Friday night netball has never looked so good with the launch of HART Premier Netball League’s Pride Round, which marks just the second weekend of the top-level Sapphire season and coincides with Round 6 of the Ruby division.
Obvious Pride Round celebrations will include Netball Queensland’s rainbow playing bibs, while each club is also honouring the occasion in its own unique way.
The Carina Leagues Club Tigers will take to the court across the weekend wearing rainbow hair ribbons and socks, with staff proudly attaching rainbow pins to their uniforms.
There is a special significance for Tigers Ruby manager Ian Thomas, a proud gay man who has spent this past week sharing his thoughts on Pride Round with players at training.
“We represent ourselves and the club when we put on the Tigers dress, but also the wider community,” Thomas said.
“Pride Round is something we can do to demonstrate that netball is inclusive and to celebrate the rainbow community, and that this is a safe place for people. There is so much more that we can do, but this is a great starting point.”
The 36-year-old has been involved across all facets of the game for more than 30 years and is thoroughly enjoying his second season with the Tigers Ruby side.
“As manager this year, I feel like I’ve got more of a voice to help guide our team and the club across different aspects, and this one is close to my heart,” he said.
Thomas would like to see the impact of Pride Round extended, with netball ambassadors showcasing the game’s focus on inclusivity throughout the entire year.
“To me it’s not just pride, but First Nations, mental health ... it’s covering all aspects and having ambassadors to bring that knowledge and information to the forefront throughout the whole year,” he said.
Around 4.5 per cent of Australians identify as LGBTQIA+, with ABS data showing approximately 75 per cent of LGBTQ+ Australians have experienced a mental disorder at some point in their lifetime.
Research has also consistently found high rates of bullying, harassment and violence among LGBTQ+ young people.
“We need to have these conversations to make people aware. It’s about inclusivity and acceptance, and giving people a safe space to be themselves,” Thomas said.
The Tigers Sapphire side will be searching for its first win of the season when it meets the BOND University Bull Sharks on Saturday at 3pm at the Logan Metro Sports and Events Centre, while the Ruby team is facing the Kedron-Wavell Cougars on Friday at 8pm at Nissan Arena.
Netball Queensland's NetballQ TV, the home of community netball in Queensland, is delivering live and free coverage of the state’s most exciting grassroots and pathways competitions including the HART Premier Netball League Sapphire and Ruby Series. Click HERE to access NetballQ TV.
