Paddle Australia, the national governing body for paddle sports, has recently become the latest addition to the Australian Pride in Sport program. This move demonstrates the organisation’s commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion, and enhancing the experience of athletes, coaches, officials, volunteers, and spectators with diverse genders and sexualities.

The Pride in Sport program, developed by ACON Health, is the only sports inclusion program in Australia designed to assist sports organisations with the inclusion of people with diverse genders and sexualities. The program works with sporting organisations to change practices and create a more inclusive, safe, and healthy sporting environment for everyone.

Phil Jones, CEO of Paddle Australia, expressed his excitement about the partnership and the opportunity to promote positive messages and examples around LGBTQ inclusion in sport and recreation programs.

“Paddle Australia is pleased to have partnered with Pride in Sport. We aim to further our inclusive practices so that everyone feels welcome. Inclusion is at the core of our values as an organisation, reflective of the diversity of our local communities,” said Jones.

Beau Newell, National Program Manager of Pride in Sport Australia, emphasised the importance of creating a healthier and safer sporting culture for LGBTQ people.

“Actual and perceived social exclusion is a leading cause of preventable death in Australia, and creating a much healthier and safer sporting culture for LGBTQ people has never been more important. By joining Pride in Sport and working with ACON, Paddle Australia is showing the community that they care about the health and wellbeing of their athletes and members across the nation,” said Newell.

Paddle Australia’s commitment to creating a safe and inclusive space for everyone, regardless of gender expression, gender identity, and sexuality, is a commendable move towards a more diverse and inclusive sporting community in Australia. As a member of the Pride in Sport program, Paddle Australia is leading the way in changing Australia’s sporting culture to be more inclusive, and we congratulate them for their efforts.

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Courtesy Paddle Australia