In 2023, Netball Victoria introduced the Netball Victoria Pride Ally program, which saw three staff members appointed to champion the support of the LGBT+ community at Netball Victoria HQ and into the netball community at events and in programs across the state.
As the organisation’s appointed Allies for the LGBT+ community, Tanya Gamble (Netball Victoria Corporate Social Responsibility Manager), Penny Forrest (Netball Victoria Child Safety & Integrity Coordinator) and Melissa Di Donato (Netball Victoria Shared Services Workforce Training Coordinator) have been working with various organisations to help Netball Victoria learn and execute different ways to promote safe and welcoming environments within the sport and in the office environment.
As part of Pride Month, the team sat down to reflect on the program so far.
What is the Netball Victoria Pride Allies program?
Tanya: The Ally program is driven by our purpose as an organisation to improve people’s lives through our sport and believe participation in netball has the power to unite communities, empower individuals and breakdown barriers.
The Netball Victoria Pride Allies program is designed to contribute to improving education and awareness of the LGBT+ community, expanding individuals’ understanding of LGBT+ communities, be active role models and show leadership in the workplace and community by publicly supporting sexual, sex and gender diversity within the community and contribute to stamping out homophobia, biphobia, transphobia and prejudice in netball.
We plan to extend this program to athletes and affiliates.
How did you become involved?
Tanya: Netball Victoria identified that champions were needed in the LGBT+ space to support our netball community and recognise opportunities in all the events, programs and initiatives delivered by Netball Victoria.
I have been running our Pride Index Working Group and have a passion of supporting the LGBT+ community. I have also been working at Netball Victoria with the Diversity & Inclusion programs to assist the development in the LGBT+ space. When the Ally program was launched, I nominated myself, was interviewed and selected to represent our organisation.
Penny: I saw the call at work for applications to be an ally and I jumped at the opportunity straight away! I applied, had an interview and was lucky enough to get the role.
Mel: When I heard there was an opportunity to be an Ally, I knew that it was something I wanted to put myself forward for right away.
We went through a formal application and interview process before we were appointed in the position, and I think I was more nervous than when I originally applied to work at Netball Victoria.
What has the program achieved so far?
Penny: Since the Ally program was launched, the three of us have been working closely together to deliver and represent Netball Victoria at events and programs. I’ve been so lucky to have been a part of so many great initiatives and activities so far with this program and at Netball Victoria.
• The Midsumma festival - helping people find safe and inclusive places to play netball
• Participated in the Midsumma Pride March – showcasing Netball Victoria’s proud involvement in this space
• Been a part of the Queer Sporting Alliance’s new netball competition – helping to provide a safe space for anyone to play netball
• Been a part of Netball Victoria’s Pride Round at VNL – being interviewed to speak about being an ally and all of the important things Netball Victoria is involved in and supports
• Netball Victoria achieved Gold level status in the Pride in Sport Index, which we attended a fabulous awards night to receive
Mel: Walking in the Midsumma Pride march for Netball Victoria was a really special moment for me. To walk with a community of passionate people who were being their true and authentic selves - it gives me even more drive to be part of the conversation that promotes more safe places in our communities. Everyone deserves to feel safe and to be who they want to be every single day!
What are the ways leagues, associations and clubs can promote inclusive environments?
Penny: It can be in so many ways. It can be from little things such as putting a progress / pride flag on association / league / club email signatures or displaying a flag or posters at their competition venues, all the way up to hosting information sessions for their members or a Pride Round themselves. As long as their members can clearly see that the environment is welcoming and safe, that’s the most important thing.
Mel: Community consultation is really important here. Invite those who you are trying to create inclusive environments for to the table when it comes to decision making.
The LGBT+ community is diverse and have had many different experiences, listening is a very powerful way to understand what you can do to make your associations, leagues and clubs more inclusive in a way that is relevant. In doing so you help to give a real voice to your community while making impactful change.
Tanya: Visibility is important, but it doesn’t stop there; training needs to be provided, inclusive language used, and appropriate bystander behaviour needs to always be present in the netball community.
What are the ways Netball Victoria is promoting an inclusive environment?
Mel: Netball Victoria lives the ‘Everyone Belongs’ motto every day. We are many voices who are continually doing what we can to support our community, calling out inequality and creating safe playing environments. When you put all those voices together, you're able to make some really loud, positive and impactful noise.
Tanya: A Transgender and Gender Diverse policy has been written to provide a safe secure space for people to play however they identify. We proudly deliver Pride Rounds and Inclusion Rounds in our pathways. Regular training is provided internally and externally to ensure knowledge and awareness is kept up to date. Netball Victoria provides resources to assist our netball community and continue to develop these as required. Netball Victoria attends the Rainbow Sport Alliance with several other sporting organisations to collaboratively deliver activations, build and share resources.
Penny: Netball Victoria does so much great work in this space – supporting Pride Round in Suncorp Super Netball with the Melbourne Vixens, holding a Pride Round in the VNL and collaborating with great companies such as Pride in Sport, Queer Sporting Alliance and Proud 2 Play to show visible support in lots of different ways. Netball Victoria continues to educate and advocate for their members in this space wherever possible and continues to be proud of their inclusive policies, such as the Transgender and Gender Diverse Policy.
Why is a program like this so important to you?
Tanya: You don’t have to identify as part of the community to provide support, anyone can be an ally and it’s important for me to share and show this message to our community. I am very passionate about everyone feeling they can be who they are and have access to sport and the community just like everyone else. I like to have the opportunity to support the work Netball Victoria does and to hopefully encourage others to also be active allies. I want to share my own knowledge which will hopefully provide education to others where needed.
Penny: I have been involved in this space in so many different ways and have so many very close friends who I have seen fight for equality and acceptance, and to me, it’s a no-brainer that I show support in every way possible to help promote and build the acceptance that is so rightfully deserved.
Mel: Be the change you want to see and actively make decisions that promote and encourage that change.
I think it's an absolute no-brainer that everyone should feel safe and supported in the sport they want to play, I want everyone to have that experience when they take to the court every single time.
Why is a program like this so important to a sporting organisation?
Penny: Sports are often the place where people can participate and feel like a valued member of their team or community. It’s these environments that need to continue to be a safe and inclusive place for people so they stay participating and know they can be themselves with the support of the organisation and, specifically, the Allies who are there any time if needed.
Tanya: As a sporting organisation we need to continue to develop a positive culture and keep developing to ensure we are always providing safe spaces. This cannot be done by one person or one department, it is the responsibility of the whole organisation and an ally program can help lead the way by showing support. As an organisation we do not tolerate discrimination so this program is something that can assist with sharing these messages and prevent inappropriate behaviour in the community.
Mel: I think that all sporting organisations should embrace an Ally program if they don't already have one. It's our responsibility as sporting organisations to ensure that there is a place for everyone in our sport and that every member is treated with respect and dignity.
Why is a program like this so important to the LGBT+ community?
Mel: Proud 2 Play highlights that 50% of LGBT+ athletes feel that they lack support and are not out to their peers who they play sport with. Also, 44% of LGBT+ people feel the need to hide their true selves in public and community settings.
Having an Ally program is another way that we can stand up against harassment and discrimination while helping to educate the wider community about what they can do to be an Ally too.
Penny: The LGBT+ community needs to see visible signs of support to know that they are safe and welcome, wherever they go. In an ideal world, this wouldn’t even be necessary, but it unfortunately still is, so it’s really important to show that programs like this proudly exist and that support is never too far away.
Tanya: The LGBT+ community will hopefully feel supported by the active steps we are taking as individuals and as an organisation. Having an ally program will hopefully help break down some barriers.
Read more about how Netball Victoria is celebrating LGBT+ diversity, inclusion and pride within the sport and throughout Victoria.
