The Sydney Swans will play the 5th annual Pride Game when they take on St Kilda at the Gabba on Saturday afternoon.
The game was established between the two sides in 2016 to celebrate diversity and ensure everyone feels safe, respected and included at the football.
The match is also an opportunity to listen, learn and highlight stories from the LGBTIQ community.
It’s the first time the game will be played at the Gabba – a neutral venue for the two teams.
Coach John Longmire said the match is significant for the Swans.
“It’s very important for this club and it’s terrific every year that we have the chance to play against St Kilda in the Pride Game,” Longmire said.
“The game is about making sure everyone feels safe and can enjoy the football – when they are able to come, and so it is a little bit different this year – but it’s important for the club to be able to acknowledge that by playing in the Pride Game.”
The Pride Game was born in the pre-season of 2015 when the Sydney Swans hosted Fremantle in a celebration of pride at Drummoyne Oval.
The following year, Sydney and St Kilda played in the first Pride Game for premiership points, with both clubs making the game an annual commitment and alternating hosting.
In 2017, the Sydney Swans won an Australian LGBTI Award in the Community Initiative/Charity category for hosting the match.
Pride Game in 2019 was one of the highlights of the season as 33,722 fans packed into the SCG for a celebration of colour, diversity and acceptance.
The match also celebrated the career of four retiring premiership stars, Kieren Jack, Jarrad McVeigh, Nick Smith and Heath Grundy, as well as Lance Franklin’s 300th AFL game.
Sydney has won all four Pride Games that have been played since 2016 and will be looking to make it five in a row against an in-form St Kilda side.
Meanwhile the Sydney Swans would like to thank our official LGBTIQ supporter group the Rainbow Swans, which has gone from strength to strength in recent years.
The mission of the Rainbow Swans is to eliminate discrimination and social stigma towards the LGBTIQ community, and promote mutual recognition, respect and reconciliation in Australia.
Learn more about Rainbow Swans membership here.
HSBC is the official Pride Partner of the Sydney Swans.
