The Sydney Swans will join the world’s biggest celebration of LGBTIQ pride, in conjunction with Principal Partner QBE, by marching for a third-consecutive year in the Mardi Gras Parade.

After becoming the first professional sporting club to have a float in the parade in 2018, the Swans will continue to show their support by taking part in one of the biggest events on the LGBTIQ calendar.

The Swans will join hundreds of thousands of supporters to celebrate through the streets of Sydney for Mardi Gras 2020 on February 29.

Representing Sydney in the Parade will be Swans staff members, the Rainbow Swans supporter group and members of QBE Pride, who will unite in celebrating this year’s theme: What Matters.

Sydney Swans CEO Tom Harley says the club is once again looking forward to participating in the iconic event.

“We are very proud of our involvement in the Mardi Gras Parade. It’s an important event on the Sydney calendar and we know it means a great deal to our LGBTIQ supporters to have the club there with them,” Harley said.

“Likewise, we are immensely proud of our annual Pride Game, which has grown to be a huge success and continues to promote the message that everyone is welcome at the football.

“On behalf of the club I would like to thank Principal Partner QBE and everyone who has been working hard behind the scenes to ensure we can participate in the Mardi Gras Parade once again.”

Sydney players, who will be taking part in a Marsh Community Series pre-season match against GWS on the same night as the Parade, are also set to show their support for LGBTIQ Pride by wearing Pride guernseys for the clash.

Frank Costigan, Executive Sponsor of QBE’s Pride network, says it will be a great pleasure to be marching alongside the Swans again at this year’s event.

“We are very proud to again walk with the Swans, demonstrating our support for their work and for the broader LGBTIQ community across Australia,” Costigan said.

“We know the positive difference that an inclusive culture can make in the workplace and broader community, and we are looking forward to supporting the Swans at the Mardi Gras and other initiatives that support LGBTIQ Pride.”

QBE Insurance will subsidise the cost of uniforms for this year’s parade participants in order to make it more affordable for members of the Rainbow Swans.

Want to march with the Swans? Sign up as a Rainbow Swans member today for your chance to join us at Mardi Gras 2020.