As we look ahead to Pride Game on Thursday night at the SCG. The Sydney Swans will once again come together with Twenty10 inc. GLCS NSW, an organisation focused on delivering services for young LGBTIQA+ people. The partnership with Twenty10 began last season and supports the Pride pillar of the club’s Diversity Action Plan.

Twenty10 is the largest and longest-running organisation in NSW that works with young LGBTIQA+ people. The organisation provides a range of services including housing, counselling, social support groups and programs, for people aged 12-25. Twenty10 also supports people of all ages through its QLife program, Australia’s LGBTIQA+ phone and web peer support service, and delivers LGBTIQA+ inclusivity and suicide prevention training.

CEO of Twenty10, Jain Moralee was on hand at the SCG on Wednesday morning to address the playing group about the work Twenty10 does and the importance of the annual Pride Game. 

“Twenty10’s partnership with the Sydney Swans is such an exciting opportunity to reach young LGBTIQA+ people around Australia who love AFL and sport, and to let them know they have a global community of people that are here to support them, including the AFL," Moralee said.

"The Sydney Swans commitment to LGBTIQA+ diversity and inclusion is an active one, with work happening throughout the year, not just for Pride Game."

Sydney Swans Executive General Manager- People, Scott Dalby said the Swans partnership with Twenty10 was crucial in the club's work within the community.

“Pride Game is undoubtedly a colourful and vibrant expression of inclusion. But through our partnership with Twenty10, we can also ensure the game delivers practical community outcomes," Dalby said.

“Twenty10 provide such crucial support to young people, and if we can assist them to grow and thrive, that is an amazing legacy to leave.”

As part of Twenty10's Pride Game activity with the club, they have teamed up with Swans Major Partner Volkswagen and local artist Jeff McCann who has created an inspired design for a special Volkswagen vehicle which will be displayed on Driver Ave at the SCG on game day. 

McCann said the artwork is all about accepting, embracing and celebrating his queerness and a journey of self love.

"As a child I didn't really play sports, which means I never really got trophies. I definitely felt uncomfortable in those spaces as I didn't see the representation of the LGBTQIA+ community that I so desperately needed to see to make me feel safe and included," McCann said.

"Through my work I like to explore my relationship with sports and my queerness by creating trophies and awards that bring these two worlds together in a way that is playful and nostalgic."

Twenty10 CEO Jain Moralee said she was thrilled to see Jeff's creativity brought to life through the Volkswagen design.

"Collaborating with Jeff for this year's Pride Game has just been a total joy," Moralee said.

"We love that the Volkswagen sends such a positive message of self-love and celebration into the world and Jeff’s inspiration is one that resonates with many people in our communities. The slogan, Twenty10: Be Proud, Be You Since 1982 was created by a young person for World Pride this year. Working with local queer artists is important to us at Twenty10, and Jeff’s self-affirming trophies featured in this work are also a beautiful nod to how when we embrace true diversity and inclusion, we all win."

To read more about Jeff's work and his story, you can visit his website or Instagram page or website.

To read more about the work that Twenty10 do visit their website, Instagram, Facebook or LinkedIn page.