Adelaide University to host fourth Pride Round

Adelaide University Hockey Club will host its fourth successive Pride Round as it strives to continue making hockey a safer and inclusive place.

The club’s Pride Round spans two days, including events and educational opportunities, which it hosted on Wednesday night with Pride Cup.

For the club’s co-presidents Jemina Deane and Adam Bartrop, hosting Pride Round is significant in making hockey a ‘genuinely inclusive sport’.

“We want hockey to be a genuinely inclusive sport where everyone can feel safe and valued as their authentic self,” Jemina said.

“We believe we have a responsibility to lead by example and use our platform to break down barriers both on and off the turf.”

Adam added that ‘an education session creates an opportunity to build awareness, encourage respectful conversations, and challenge misconceptions in a positive and constructive way.’

“It helps people understand the importance of creating sporting environments where everyone feels safe, respected, and able to participate regardless of their sexual orientation or gender,” he said.

“This gives our members the opportunity to better understand why inclusion matters and how we can all help create a respectful, supportive environment both on and off the field.

“As a university club, we have the opportunity to help educate the next generation of players, leaders and community members with the support of Adelaide University Sport and Fitness.

“For many people and particularly students, Pride Round may be their first opportunity to learn about the experiences of LGBTQ+ people in sport.

“By providing education, we can foster greater empathy, strengthen our club culture, and give members practical ways to create a more inclusive environment.

“Ultimately, Pride Round is about more than a single event on the calendar.

“Education helps ensure the values of inclusion, respect and belonging extend beyond one weekend and become part of our club’s culture and the broader hockey community throughout the entire season.”

CEO of Adelaide University Sport and Fitness Michelle Wilson was incredibly supportive of the work the hockey club is doing.

“Participation and Inclusion is a key area of focus for our association, seeing the Adelaide University Hockey Club host their fourth consecutive Pride Round and expand education to more members is something that we fully support,” she said.

Adelaide University’s men’s, women’s and junior teams will all be in action across the weekend.