This weekend (round 15) is Fair Go Sport round, a round that celebrates the wonderful people of different sexualities and genders who play hockey. This round also celebrates diversity and inclusion in all their different forms, and Monash University Hockey Club is proud to be supporting it.
Less than a year after the postal survey on same-sex marriage, this weekend is also a really good chance for everyone to reflect on the power that words and actions have to make people feel unwelcome.
Sport is sometimes competitive and spirited, but there’s never an excuse for homophobic, biphobic or transphobic words or actions. Unfortunately, though, we know that a very large number of LGBTQIA+ people have experienced discrimination and/or hide their sexuality or gender while playing sport.
In 2011, after a high profile Melbourne goalkeeper named Gus Johnson came out publicly in an emotional youtube video, Hockey Victoria partnered with the Victorian Equal Opportunity Commission to make hockey clubs more inclusive places for everyone.
Video link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AnK1qOMG5dI
This weekend, with most teams playing away, Monash is supporting Fair Go Sport round with rainbow shoelaces across all grades. If you don’t already have a pair, there is a box of them in the clubhouse. The Men’s 4s are playing Doncaster at Monash at 11am on Sunday, with an award for inclusivity and speeches after the game. We are keen to celebrate as a club and as such will be hosting a Fair Go Farmdome in Round 16 – look out for the Facebook event!
Monash University Hockey Club encourages everyone to get involved and show their support.