On International Pronouns Day we recognise the role our sport can play in creating a safe and inclusive environment for all participants.
Netball has played an integral role in forming Chloe’s* identity, and identifying with the pronouns of ‘they/them’ enables Chloe to feel their most comfortable and true self.
“I think if someone is willing to share their pronouns with you, it means that they trust you,” they said.
“They’re sharing it so that hopefully you’re able to use the correct pronouns that affirm whatever their gender identity is and make them feel most comfortable.”
International Pronouns Day provides a platform to make respecting, sharing, and educating about personal pronouns commonplace in support of gender diverse members of our community.
“It’s a day where it’s normalised to share your pronouns. Some people don’t even know what pronouns are, let alone how to share them, so it’s a day where we can educate everyone on how to share their pronouns, what they are and what they mean to gender diverse people,” Chloe said.
Netball has been a catalyst for Chloe, the sport enabling them to feel like they’re in a safe and inclusive community that respects their gender identity.
“I think netball allows me to feel my most comfortable self because there’s no expectation on how I should look or how I should dress, and it doesn’t affect anyone else when I’m on court – I can just be myself,” they said.
Their netball club has been their biggest supporter, encouraging participants, coaches, umpires and officials to adopt gender neutral language to ensure that everyone feels welcome.
“My netball club has put things in place to make sure I feel comfortable like removing gendered terms, for example ‘good job players’ rather than ‘good job ladies’. Some umpires will say ‘stand with them’ instead of ‘stand with her’ – just simple changes that can make a such a big difference in people’s lives.
“I think everyone is aware of using non-gendered language, and if they do accidentally use the wrong terms, they’ll correct themselves so there’s no stigma if you get it wrong. People’s approach is to say ‘oops I messed up, I’m going to change it and do better next time’.”
Netball has long been engrained in Chloe’s life, having found a love for the sport at a young age.
“I started playing netball when I was in Year 4, I started doing NetSetGO and then I continued playing through. Netball is an inclusive environment, I think that anyone can be their authentic self and not have to worry about judgement from anyone else. You don’t have to change yourself to fit into a stereotype,” they said.
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.
Chloe stressed the importance of honouring and respecting everyone’s unique journey and the role we can all play to create a safe environment.
“Your story is never the same as anyone else’s, and you shouldn’t compare your journey of coming out or changing your pronouns to anyone else.”
*Name has been changed for privacy reasons
