27.08.15 - Celebrating Diversity and Inclusion in Water Polo
-
The Victorian Seals Water Polo Club announces the inaugural NWPL Pride Cup as part of it’s home game schedule, to promote diversity, inclusion and acceptance of the LGBTIQ community within their sport.
-
Water polo will be the first Australian sporting code to run an official Pride Round as part of their national premiership fixture.
-
Melbourne Surge - Victoria’s only LGBTIQ water polo club – partnered in the event, showcasing a Grudge Match against the Sydney’s LGBTIQ water polo club (Sydney Stingers) during proceedings.
The Victorian Seals, the only Victorian club in the national elite water polo competition, have announced their intention to hold the inaugural, annual National Water Polo League (NWPL) Pride Cup in February 2016. This is a joint initiative between the club and Melbourne Surge, Victoria’s only LGBTIQ water polo club. The event will be used to proactively promote and embrace the message of diversity, acceptance and inclusion across the broader Water Polo and sporting communities, from grassroots to an elite level.
The NWPL Pride Cup will also be held as a major event as part of the Midsumma Festival and feature an elite level National League clash between the Victorian Seals and the Brisbane based KFC Breakers. This match is part of the national competition for both Men’s and Women’s teams – the first of any Australian sporting code to do so. The Midsumma Festival has a focus of celebrating diversity in the community and creating unique cultural experiences, which align with the principles of the Pride Cup.
Additionally, the NWPL Pride Cup will publicly showcase the first of 2016’s biannual Grudge Matches between Australia’s only two GLBTIQ water polo clubs, Melbourne Surge and the Sydney Stingers. Both Surge and the Stingers represent their respective city communities in state based metropolitan competitions and abroad, in competitions including the World Out Games and International Federation of Gay Games.
The NWPL Pride Cup is scheduled for the evening of Friday 5th February at Melbourne Sports Aquatic Centre and will include the match spectacle, entertainment and fireworks.
The Victorian Seals is Victoria’s only club in Australia's national water polo competition known as the National Water Polo League. The league includes 12 clubs from across the country with both a men’s and women’s competition that run in parallel. While not having the profile of the AFL, water polo is an Olympic sport and the league is where they and other young athletes get their game practice.
Melbourne Surge is an open and inclusive club that encourages participants of any age, level or ability, and fosters a fun and social environment. With approximately 70 competitive and social members, the club fields 3 competitive teams in Victoria’s State League.
Melbourne Surge President Ash McMaster has said ‘Surge is thrilled and proud that the Victorian Seals approached us to partner with them for this initiative. This is a positive step for equality in sport and the wider community. Our club is thankful to have this opportunity to work with allies to promote diversity and inclusion in water polo, and all other sporting codes.’
Victorian Seals President Steve Blunt said “as an elite level sport club playing in a national competition, we see that we can play an important role in the community to promote sport as a healthy environment free of discrimination of any kind. We are delighted to be partnering with Melbourne Surge and Water Polo Australia to create and run an annual event that will celebrate diversity and inclusion”.
Chris Harrison, Chief Executive Officer of Water Polo Australia added “I would like to commend the Victorian Seals and Melbourne Surge on this important initiative. The NWPL Pride cup will celebrate both diversity and the inclusiveness of our sport in welcoming everyone to come and try and then join a club.”
