By Abby Collins
The Queensland AFL community is making significant strides in the name of pride for this weekend’s feature round.
This beloved event ensures that the AFL community can celebrate the inclusivity of all the diverse players who call this sport their own.
The 2024 Jarah Corporate Pride Round spans across all AFL Queensland’s competitions, bringing vibrant colours and celebrations to ovals all over the state.
This year, the importance of the event extends beyond the Bond University QAFLW gala day, with educational sessions expanding and more clubs signing on to learn about creating safe and inclusive environments for our diverse community.
Aspley is taking charge of the Bond University QAFLW celebrations by hosting the coveted pride round gala, a day full of female footy all in one place.
“The Bond University QAFLW day will see Aspley host all eight teams at South Pine Sports Complex,” AFL Queensland’s Madi Crowley-Long said.
“The day will be a festival celebration of Pride, with market stalls, food trucks, a VIP area, decorations, music, and presentations after each game.
“It has been a whole-of-club effort from Aspley, who have also engaged some of their youth teams to assist on the day with volunteer roles.
“Thank you to Jarah Corporate who are supporting not only the Gala Day, but Pride Round around the state.”
But the weekend’s festivities won’t be limited to just the QAFLW’s footy central celebrations.
Many other activations and celebrations are set to be held by all clubs and leagues.
Byron Bay Magpies AFC will be celebrating Pride Round at their Senior Women’s home game vs. Burleigh, recognising the 17 queer, gay, and gender-diverse people on their team.
They will bring colour to their round through pride guernseys, rainbow socks, and face paint for the supporters in attendance.
The Morningside QAFL Senior team and both QFAW Div1 teams will also be decked out in their Pride jerseys.
The club has also brought in the Pride in Sport sessions, available to all of their players and officials, and is using the week to promote the importance of the feature round to their wider club community.
Up north, the Rockhampton Panthers men’s and women’s sides will be donning their pride guernsey, along with clubs in Mackay such as Mackay Magpies and Eastern Swans.
Bond University’s QFA team has also been making strides in their education through the Pride in Sport sessions offered by AFL Queensland, along with Aspley.
Pride round is for all to learn more about the importance of inclusivity in our community and how to celebrate our diversity, these educational sessions were also taken up by umpires, club officials and a great deal more who attended in an online capacity.
Bond University Men’s QFA Div 2 senior team captain Matt Smith opened up about what pride round means to the Bull Sharks.
“We have always made sure to participate through our rainbow socks and the AFL Queensland and Pride in Sport education sessions,” he said.
“The women’s team does a lot, and the men’s team are trying to engage with support groups to see what else we can do and how else we can contribute to the pride round festivities.
“We have so many different people from many different walks of life here at the AFL club, whether they’re from the university or from outside. We have a very inclusive group and environment that we are proud of.
“We are always excited to participate in this round and want to continue growing through it in the future. At our education sessions, we learn a lot that we plan on using to support the inclusive environment of our club.”
The 2024 Jarah Corporate Pride Round is set to be unforgettable, with clubs going all out to show their support.
