The Geelong Football Club has proudly launched its inaugural Pride guernsey ahead of AFLW Pride Round this weekend.
Geelong is committed to celebrating and supporting our diverse community and the Pride guernsey is one way the club to providing a powerful message of inclusion and acceptance.
In 2014 the club was the first in the AFL to publicly advocate for Marriage Equality in Australia through an open letter to members.
“The Geelong Football Club is proud of the way we celebrate diversity and embrace inclusion,” Geelong Chief Executive Brian Cook said.
“Welcoming our diverse community deepens our understanding and appreciation of others. It allows us to grow as individuals and as a club.
“We have been on a journey towards greater inclusion for a significant period of time and the launch of our Pride guernsey is yet another step forward.”
The club’s Pride guernsey was designed in consultation with a number of AFLW players, Pride ambassadors and allies Rocky Cranston, Meg McDonald, Sophie Van De Heuvel and Georgie Rankin and the club’s Pride Supporter Group.
Front and centre of the design within the club’s traditional hoops is the rainbow Pride flag. The guernsey also features “YES” boldly above the players’ number on the back of the guernsey to represent the club’s support of Marriage Equality.
The Transgender flag features on the shoulders of the design, an element strongly advocated for by the club’s AFLW players to ensure broad representation and inclusion.
On Monday Geelong’s Rocky Cranston and Darcy Fort raised the rainbow flag that will fly over GMHBA Stadium this week. Staff and players will also participate in education sessions over the coming weeks to continue to build awareness and understanding of LGBTIQ+ people’s experiences in the community and our game.
The club’s Pride Supporter Group was formed in 2019 which allows the Cats’ LGBTIQ+ community and allies to come together to support the club in a safe and welcoming way. To learn more, head to @geelongcatspride on Instagram.
Pride merchandise can be purchased online or in-store at the Cats Shop.
AFLW ROUND 2
Brisbane Lions v Geelong Cats
Sunday 7th February
3.10pm
Hickey Park, QLD
Broadcast on Channel 7
