Hockey has been recognised in a significant manner at the annual Pride in Sport Awards in Melbourne overnight, leading all sports with nine awards, celebrating the hockey community’s commitment to working in the LGBTQ+ inclusion space.
Headlined by current Hockeyroo #501 Greta Hayes winning LGBTQ+ Role Model of the Year for her work in the community, eight hockey organisations and clubs were awarded either gold, silver or bronze status, with the highest recognition going to Hockey Australia for the first time and Hockey ACT for the second year running.
Gold, silver and bronze sporting organisation status is determined by a score on the Pride in Sport Index, an initiative by the Australian Human Rights Commission and Sport Australia, and is used as a benchmark to assess sporting organisations and their inclusivity within the LGBTQ+ communities.
It was a massive night for AIS Thrive with Pride, Hockey Australia and NSW Pride in Pride ambassador Greta Hayes, who was recognised for years of hard work as a role model in the LGBTQ+ space in both hockey and her personal life.
“I guess I was a little bit shocked!” Greta said.
“I feel like there’s so much amazing work that’s being done in this space and there’s been a lot of work, with a lot of individuals, in a lot of different sports. I was shocked to be announced as a finalist, let alone the winner last night. It’s pretty cool.”
A finalist alongside ACT’s Canberra Chill and National Tier 1 squad member Davis Atkin, Greta acknowledged the collective effort that’s going in to make hockey, and sport, a more inclusive, welcoming environment.
“I wouldn’t be able to do any of the work in this space if I didn’t have these organisations backing me and my teammates backing me and supporting me.”
“I do feel like hockey has come a long way over the years. I remember when I first came into the hockey program when I was in the junior pathways and I had a few uncomfortable situations arise and I think about how far we’ve come in the space, dealing with things like relationships and being accepting and making things work.”
Unable to attend the awards night in Melbourne while she played in the Perth International Festival of Hockey this week, Greta said she’s excited to be getting more and more involved as the years go on and she had an important message in her acceptance speech via video.
“I said it’s important our work isn’t just about the pride space, it’s the whole inclusion and kindness space, which covers pride and indigenous culture and all of those different aspects that come together to make sure hockey is continually developing as the most inclusive environment for everyone involved.”
Hockey Australia would like to congratulate both Greta and Davis and all member associations and clubs that have been awarded gold, silver or bronze status.
Hockey at the Pride in Sport Awards
LGBTQ Role Model of the Year
NSW’s current Hockeyroo #501 Greta Hayes – Winner
ACT’s Kookaburra #441 Member Davis Atkin – Finalist
Gold Tier Status
Hockey Australia
Hockey ACT
Silver Tier Status
Hockey WA
Bentstix Hockey Club
Perth Pythons Hockey Club
Bronze Tier Status
Hockey Victoria
Hockey New South Wales
Hockey Queensland
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