AFL Central West is holding its first ever pride round on July 22, 2023.
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00:00 Pride Round has been on the cards for a few years now. What did you first think about when you heard it was a possibility?
00:06 I was really stoked. Coming from the Bushies and playing in the Central West for a number of years,
00:12 I thought it was a really great initiative and program to get around.
00:17 They have them all through Sydney and a lot of other comps have them and I thought it was probably about time that we kicked off here.
00:22 We have a lot of team members that are part of the LGBTQA+ community and so having this round be with us is really special.
00:34 I think there's something, over 50% of us are part of that community, so to be able to do something so inclusive is really special.
00:41 It's been really good that we can partner with Headspace. They have a number of programs aimed for people who are part of that community,
00:48 even ranging from adolescence through to early adulthood.
00:52 Regardless if you're struggling with your gender identity or your sexuality, it could be your mental health or your physical health that they assist you with.
01:00 So partnering with them means a lot, particularly for this round.
01:03 I think it shows our community that you're welcome and you're included, particularly in a game like footy.
01:09 There are so many of us that are in that community. It just shows that everyone's welcome.
01:14 I'm very excited for it. I never thought this day would come. I always hoped it would.
01:21 I'm very excited to play on the weekend and to verse a good team as Bushies. It's just such a good feeling.
01:28 No matter who you are, no matter who you love, they don't really care. You can come in and it's just one big family that supports you no matter what.
01:37 It's been fantastic that all the other clubs have been on board and want to promote this as well for that community within our community.
01:46 I imagine there's plenty of hopes that this becomes an annual thing down the line?
01:50 Very big hopes, yes.
01:52 [laughs]
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