AFLW now a global leader in embracing inclusivity and diversity within the LGBTQIA+ community

The Adelaide Crows midfielder said the competition’s Pride Round this weekend was “something you don’t see in many other countries or sports”.

“I get a view of two different worlds ... it’s so nice to see how normal and supported it is over here [in Australia],” Considine said.

“It brings [LGBTQIA+] to the forefront, when you see it at AFLW level, at national level, it gives you that sense of pride to be able to express who you are and what you are.

“It’s so important for younger girls and boys who are coming up through the ranks, to have that to look up to and normalise the situation.”

Thirteen of the 14 AFLW clubs will wear pride jumpers this weekend, with West Coast defending its decision to be the sole club not to change their playing strip.

North Melbourne star Emma Kearney said it was important all clubs embraced the sentiment behind this weekend “just like we embrace other rounds like Indigenous round”.

“I don’t want to put words into their mouths, but I’m sure the West Coast Eagles players who are LGBTQIA+ would be feeling disappointed that they cant run out in a jumper representing who they are,” Kearney said.

“I’m really pleased that 13 of the 14 clubs have really embraced pride round and they all have a story behind their jumpers and it’s really important to share those stories.”

Carlton superstar Darcy Vescio, who late last year identified as non-binary, helped launch the AFLW’s Pride Round on Wednesday.

“[AFLW] are very inclusive naturally, and we understand the important role that LGBTQIA+ play in footy and in the broader community,” the Carlton goalkicking ace said.

Vescio said the community could use the example of Pride Round to help to make life easier for everyone.

“Create space for people, understand the language you use and any assumptions you might make about people and how that can impact how they live their lives,” Vescio said.

“Ask someone whether they have a partner, rather than using a gendered term.

“Not assuming people’s pronouns, it’s a really nice way of creating space for people and allowing people to feel more comfortable.

Vescio is looking forward to donning the Blues’ pride guernsey this weekend, designed by the Carlton Pride group.

“It’s important to acknowledge the struggle within the [LGBTQIA+] community,” Vescio said.

“We can represent [Carlton Pride] as much as they represent us. I felt pretty fortunate to feel so safe and supported at my own club and more broadly in the AFLW community.”

AFL head of women’s Football Nicole Livingstone spoke about how proud she is that the AFLW are leading from the front in the space of diversity and inclusion.

“Everybody is welcome in Australian football, the AFLW have led the way with this in particular,” she said.

“It’s really important we continue to wrap our arms around everybody who loves Australian Football.”

The AFL has also partnered with the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV), becoming an official Supporter of the exhibition Queer.

Pride Round kicks off on Friday night with the clash between Geelong and Collingwood at GMHBA Stadium.

Why Eagles pulled shock handbrake on Pride Round jumper

West Coast has defended its decision to be the only AFLW club not to wear a Pride Round themed jumper this weekend.

The Eagles said they had decided to focus on the club’s new AFLW Indigenous jumper instead.

Thirteen of the 14 AFLW clubs have designed a special jumper for this weekend’s Pride Round - designed to recognise and support the LGBTQIA+ community.

Despite a number of the Eagles AFLW players identifying as LGBTQIA+, West Coast spokesman Richard O’Connell said the club had not received any negative feedback from the playing group ahead of their Round 3 clash with Adelaide.

“Our intention for specially designed jumpers is to make sure it has enough space and time for us to be able to promote, educate and inform,” O’Connell told The West Australian.

“Our ambition is to do one each year rather than put two in at the same time.

“We’re very comfortable with the fact we’re taking a very patient approach to introducing new playing kit during our early years.

“We’re not going to rush that process because we want the introduction of a playing guernsey to be important to the club’s history and for when you look back in time. We want to do it properly and respectfully and that will take some time to do.”

“They understand the process we’re following and they’re comfortable with the plan we’ve put in place.”

The Eagles have committed to wearing a pride jumper next year and will wear pride singlets and rainbow socks during the warm-up for their clash this weekend against Adelaide.

“While we may not run out with a pride jumper this weekend, we’ve certainly been acknowledging it with the activities and training the players have been undertaking.”

The Eagles take on Adelaide at the Swinburne Centre this Saturday (12.40pm).

North Melbourne and Richmond however, have both unveiled their inaugural pride guernseys ahead of this weekend’s action.

Richmond AFLW captain Katie Brennan said that it had been an honour to be involved with the design process for the Tigers guernsey.

“Any game at Punt Road is special and to be wearing the Pride Guernsey that is representing a large community of diverse people makes me incredibly proud,” she said.

“I love the powerful conversations that are created around Pride Round and Pride Guernsey’s about diversity and making sure that we are progressing forward as a society.

“To be wearing the Pride Guernsey and representing a diverse group of people makes me really proud.”

North Melbourne’s design represents the club’s past and it’s diverse and progressive future.

“We are proud of our club culture, one based around respect, dignity and inclusion and this guernsey is a great representation of our North Melbourne community,” said Kangaroos Chief Executive Ben Amarfio.

“This weekend, Pride Round provides an opportunity for us to acknowledge and celebrate the diverse communities that make up our club and gives up a very public platform to create a match day where everyone feels a genuine sense of belonging.”

Small-forward Daisy Bateman, who was one of the players who helped launch the design, explained how important it is to her and her teammates.

“Pride round is super important to me and my teammates,” Bateman said.

“We are fortunate to have a platform like playing a game down at Arden Street to represent the pride community.

“If we can play a small part like pulling on the jumper and making some people feel really special then there’s something really special in that.”