Netball Victoria is a proudly diverse and inclusive organisation, that actively celebrates LGBT+ diversity, inclusion and pride within the sport of netball and throughout Victoria. Netball Victoria is committed to inclusion and representation regardless of how a participant identifies, and we’ll continue to work with our community to ensure netball is a safe place for all.

Netball Victoria is committed to promoting principles of equality and ensuring respect and diversity are intrinsic to netball culture.  All individuals will be treated equally, with dignity and respect, to ensure that all people experience a sage and inclusive netball.
We are committed to providing a safe, fun and inclusive environment for all people including those with diverse sexuality and genders. Netball Victoria have a zero tolerance of bullying, harassment or vilification and celebrates diversity of sex, gender identity, gender expression and gender sexual orientation.  This behaviour has no place in netball.

Our organisation recognises and respects all gender identities and believes everyone has the right to participate in a safe, respectful, and welcoming environment.

Netball Victoria is thrilled to announce their partnership with Proud 2 Play – a not for profit organisation with a vision where all LGBTI+ people can lead healthy and active lifestyles through participation in sport.

Proud 2 Play work at all levels of sport from grassroots to state and national sporting organisations to provide education, advise on inclusive policy, research, improve LGBTI+ visibility and run inclusive events.

Through the partnership, Netball Victoria aspires to building state wide awareness through development of a Pride Round at VNL and clubs/association level, focus on education, building capacity, understanding and inclusiveness within the organisation and out at club and association level and collaborate with other Victorian sports organisations on projects and development of best practice.

The partnership is another step Netball Victoria has taken to ensure netball is a sport for all, since the introduction of the Gender Regulation Policy on January 1, 2019.

Former Netball Victoria’s Diversity and Inclusion Coordinator, Mitch Gourley said the partnership is a fantastic opportunity to educate such a large audience.

“Netball reaches over 300,000 in Victoria whether as a player, coach or in administration roles, and we want to educate our large netball community in an effort to ensure every single person out there on a Saturday morning, Tuesday night – whenever they may play – is feeling completely safe and embraced,” said Gourley.

“The partnership with Proud 2 Play will allow inclusiveness and awareness from Netball Victoria as the governing body of netball in Victoria right down to grassroots because no one should feel ashamed while playing sport.”

“This is a really exciting time for Proud 2 Play and LGBTI+ inclusion in sport in Victoria generally,” Proud 2 Play’s Partnerships Manager, Luke Major, said.

“We now have great relationships with a very broad spectrum of sports meaning we hope that LGBTI+ people really feel they have a choice when it comes to sports participation rather than only feeling comfortable in a select number of sports.”

Netball Victoria’s Gender Regulation Policy can be downloaded here.

Netball Victoria is committed to promoting principles of equality and ensuring respect and diversity are intrinsic to netball culture. All individuals will be treated equally, with dignity and respect, to ensure that all people experience a safe and inclusive netball environment.

Netball Victoria’s Policy for the Inclusion of Transgender and Gender Diverse People is driven by our purpose as an organisation to improve people’s lives through our sport, and our belief that participation in netball has the power to unite communities, empower individuals and break down barriers.

This values-led policy is a step towards better reflecting the diversity of our community and Victorian netball participants. Netball Victoria recognises and respects all gender identities and believes everyone has the right to participate in a safe, respectful and welcoming environment.

Visit our Policies & Guidelines webpage for more information, including the full policy document and resources to assist Netball Victoria Affiliates in implementing the policy.

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