It will be a special day for 12-year-old Jackson when he has the chance to run out with the Sydney Swans for the annual Pride Game at the SCG on Saturday afternoon.

Introduced to the game of AFL four years ago Jackson plays for the Glebe Greyhounds in the local AFL Sydney competition.

After originally starting out playing for the girls team Jackson has played the last two seasons in the boys team after making the decision to transition.

Jackson’s mother, Cris Townley said her son was over the moon by the opportunity to be a part of Pride Game at the SCG on Saturday.

“He is pretty excited,” Townley said.

“AFL has been his passion for the last few years and the moments in his life when he is happiest are when he has been playing in matches or the times he has come to watch the Swans.

“That excitement is important for all kids but particularly important for queer kids as it can be harder for them to find that.”

Townley said since introducing her son to AFL his passion has continued to grow for the sport.

“We got introduced to AFL by some friends of ours who were big Swans fans and since our kids were old enough we gave them the chance to try it and see if they would go for it,” he said.

“Jackson has been playing AFL for four years and during that time at the Glebe Greyhounds he has played in the girls team for a couple of years and then came to the decision that he wanted to transition and he has played in the boys team for the last couple of years.” 

“It makes him feel really good that people recognise that he is a boy and that is who he is and what he does."

Jackson recently told Twenty10 in an interview for the charity’s website that he felt most at home when playing footy.

“I haven’t really experienced any difficulties with my gender while playing,”

“If I am having a tough day at school I can always remember that I have AFL afterwards or I am playing an AFL game with my mates.

“This year I feel that I am playing better than I have before because people are calling me by Jackson, the name I want to be called by and that makes me feel more like a boy.”

Jackson’s mum said she could not speak highly enough of the culture of the AFL at junior level and has set up an event to try and encourage other Rainbow families to get involved in the sport.

“I am so impressed with the culture of AFL, they are really friendly and welcoming,” Townley said.

“They are really out there for the experience of the game, to ensure the kids have a good experience and have some fun running around.”

“Now I have a deep understanding of how kids from the LGBTI community need somewhere to belong as well and sport is so important as part of that.”

“You have to stand up and show you are a welcome place to be able to show others that this club has helped my kid how can I help others.”

Organsied by the Glebe Greyhounds, Bring Ya Boots will be taking place on Saturday August 31^st from 2pm – 4pm at Jubilee Oval, Glebe.

The AFL come and try event is to encourage more kids from LGBTIQ families to join our club because everyone is welcome at the footy.

“We want to get some families along to make them feel welcome and give there kids a go at AFL,” Townley said.

“We are also going to have the inaugural AFL Pride and All Stars friendly which basically means we are getting whoever wants to play a game after that.

“I would love for that to come a regular part of what happens at Glebe every year and it is part of what we do in the calendar each year.”

Those interested in the event are welcome to CLICK HERE to find out more details.

Also the official LGBTIQ supporter group of the Sydney Swans, the Rainbow Swans, will be holding a Pride After Party at the Beresford Hotel after the game on Saturday night with all proceeds raised going towards Twenty10.