The AFL's ongoing commitment to diversity and inclusion has been recognised at the annual Australian Pride in Sport Awards, earning Gold Status in the Pride in Sport Index.
The award marks the first time the AFL has earned a Gold Status for its contribution to LGBTQI+ initiatives, building on its Silver Status from 2023, and Bronze Status in 2022.
Held at an event in Melbourne on Wednesday, the Australian Pride in Sport Awards recognises sporting clubs, codes, LGBTQI+ community sport initiatives, coaches, role models, media outlets, and allies for their contributions to the inclusion of people with diverse genders and sexualities in Australia.
The AFL was also proud to receive two other awards - the Most Improved Sporting Organisation Award and LGBTQI+ Inclusive Innovation Award for the Jarah Corporate AFL Queensland Pride Round.
The 2024 Jarah Corporate Pride Round is held across all senior South-East Queensland competitions on the same weekend, with dedicated pride activations, pride round footballs, giveaways and fan engagement initiatives. The round also stretches outside the southeast to competitions across Cairns, Townsville, Capricornia, Mackay and the Darling Downs.
The Jarah Corporate Pride Round also featured more than 200 education sessions for clubs and umpire associations on building inclusivity, with pride packs provided to clubs to help build a deeper understanding and acceptance of the LGBTQI+ community.
AFL CEO Andrew Dillon thanked everyone involved in making the game of Australian Football more inclusive and welcoming for the LGBTQI+ community.
"I want to thank all of those over the journey who have offered their advice, support and contributed to making our beloved game safer, more inclusive, and more representative of all our communities. This is important work, and one that we need to continue to work together on to ensure fans and athletes alike can be part of our sport, just the way they are."
AFL Executive General Manager Inclusion and Social Policy Tanya Hosch said the Gold Status was a strong step forward for the code as it continues its work to being more inclusive.
"The AFL's vision is for everyone to love and connect with Australia's game. Achieving this goal is only possible when all people feel safe and have a sense of belonging, including LGBTQI+ communities.
"We are humbled to receive the Gold Status in the Pride in Sport Index, but acknowledge that there is still a lot of work to be done. We are committed to building on this as we collectively continue our journey to being a more safe and inclusive sport for everyone – at all levels of the game," Hosch said.
"I'd like to recognise the contributions of leaders and organisations, such as Pride in Sport for their guidance and education, as well as the Pride supporter groups who play a vital role in supporting the AFL and AFLW teams.
"There is no place for homophobia, transphobia, or biphobia in our community, or in our game. As a sport, we need to play our role in raising awareness of the importance of inclusion and educating others on what it means to be a sport for all."
For more than a decade, the AFL has been working on LGBTQI+ inclusion with the introduction of various initiatives and education programs that highlight inclusion across the sport. These include the annual AFLW Pride Round, the establishment of its AFL Pride and Allies Network, and the launch of a dedicated LGBTQI+ education module which all AFL players and officials were required to complete before the start of this AFL season. The module is also available as an education and awareness resource for all community footballers and officials around the country.
In 2024, the AFL introduced its first LGBTQI+ Action Plan that formalises the league's ongoing commitment to foster a culture of belonging in the workplace and across the AFL team where LGBTQI+ people can thrive, safely and proudly as their authentic selves.
AFL Executive General Manager People Sarah Fair said embedding a culture of belonging at the AFL remains a key focus area.
"A sense of belonging is at the heart of our AFL Values and this award is a reflection of the positive journey and significant work that has guided us to this point," Fair said.
"The establishment of our inaugural Pride Plan last year will be instrumental in delivering our ongoing commitment to foster a culture of belonging in which all LGBTQI+ people within the AFL can thrive, safely and proudly as their authentic selves. We have made great progress and are committed to continuing to lead ongoing change to ensure our organisation is truly safe, inclusive and welcoming for everyone."
Head of AFL Queensland Trish Squires said the annual Jarah Corporate Pride Round was a highly anticipated fixture on the Queensland football calendar.
"Since 2019, when the first AFL Queensland Pride Round was held, the Queensland Australian rules football community has made significant strides in promoting inclusion and diversity.
"Now known as the annual Jarah Corporate AFL Queensland Pride Round, the event has become a much-loved and highly anticipated fixture on the Queensland football calendar. But Pride Round is about more than just rainbow socks and flags. It shines a light on the challenges faced by the LGBTQI+ community and champions meaningful change—both on and off the field," Squires said.
"Australian rules football is a game for everyone. Our goal is to ensure that every player, coach, umpire, supporter, administrator and volunteer feels safe, valued, and included. Pride Round is just one of the ways we're working to make that vision a reality across the state."
