Fremantle Rivals Come Together to Celebrate Pride

The WAFL and WAFLW playing groups gathered at the Left Bank last Monday for an awareness night in support of the upcoming Pride Cup match between East Fremantle and South Fremantle in the WAFLW. Starting in 2021 between the 2 Fremantle rivals, 2023 marks the first time that the WAFL teams will also support the occasion. As part of the build up, former player Zee Schorsch spoke to the playing groups about their journey and what the round signifies to them.

“It’s an important round that promotes inclusion and understanding. I spoke to the group about my gender identity journey and how important it was for me to have the support of the club throughout.  The statistics I shared highlighted the discrimination that LGBTQIA+ people face within sport and why supporting a Pride match is important in raising awareness”.

As discussed on the night and the stats provided by Proud 2 Play:

42% of LGBTQIA+ people hide their sexuality or gender at social or community events. 

70% of LGBTQIA+ people do not feel sport is safe and welcoming.

805 of Australians have experienced or witnessed homophobia on the sporting field. 

WAFLW Vice Captain, Hayley O’Donnell said the initiative makes her proud to play for East Fremantle as part of the LGBTQIA+ community. “I think it’s an incredibly important moment to have both mens and women’s squads supporting the Pride Cup. The representation and celebration of Pride is so important for those younger generations to learn that sport is a safe place for them to be who they are and to be proud of that”.

WAFL Vice Captain, Kyle Baskerville said that it’s important that the message of inclusion for all is at the forefront of all sporting clubs minds. “Australian Rules Football is a great sport, that provides plenty of opportunities for everyone and can be played by anyone. By providing opportunities for people to share their stories, we all get a greater understanding of the challenges the LGBTQIA+ community face”.

In support of the games, both South Fremantle and East Fremantle will be wearing rainbow coloured socks. The weekend kicks off with the Rogers Cup clash between EF and SF at Fremantle Oval on Friday 2nd June from 6 pm. East Fremantle take on the Bulldogs in the WAFL at the WACA from 140pm on Monday the 5th June before the WAFLW kicks rounds out the round from 4.45pm.