Socks and stance
Matt Logue
Daily Telegraph, August 10
THEY look like footy socks with a rainbow stripe added.
But for the Sydney Swans they mean so much more.
By donning multicoloured socks in the first ever Pride Game for premiership points against St Kilda on Saturday, the Swans are hoping to send a powerful message of support for the LGBTI community.
You see, no AFL player has openly come out as gay and Sydney want to provide a safe space for an individual to do so.
It’s why the Swans teamed up with members of the Rainbow Swans — the club’s first LGBTI supporter group — at Taylor Square, in Sydney’s inner-city Darlinghurst.
“It’s greatly distressing to us that 87 per cent of professional sports people feel too uncomfortable to disclose their sexual preference,” Swans chairman Andrew Pridham said.
“Again this is something that we encourage and believe that taking a step such as the pride game is very important in opening a path where we can be more inclusive and open.
“Cleary there are gay footballers playing AFL — statistically it is pretty obvious.
“All we can is create the environment where they can feel comfortable coming out in public.”
Swans take pride in bid to break down barriers
James Buckley
SMH, August 10
Swans chairman Andrew Pridham hopes Saturday’s inaugural Pride Game against St Kilda is the first step towards creating an AFL environment that welcomes openly gay players. Sydney will wear rainbow socks at Etihad Stadium, while their Saints counterparts will sport rainbow-numbered jerseys.
The 50-metre arc will be multicoloured and umpires will wave rainbow flags as the AFL aims to send a clear message that members of the LGBTI community are welcome in football.
Pridham said the Swans were delighted to take a leadership position on LGBTI issues. ‘‘It’s a sad reflection on our society that over 80 per cent of same-sexattracted people feel threatened to go to professional sports,’’ Pridham said. ‘‘Taking a step such as the Pride Game is very important in opening a path where we can be more inclusive and more open.’’
Dozens of Rainbow Swans, Sydney’s LGBTI supporter group, are heading down for the game. They’ll enjoy a pre-match function hosted by their St Kilda equivalent, Saints Pride.
Rainbow Swans member Jason Masters said: ‘‘I grew up in Adelaide and, when I was a teenager, gay people were murdered and thrown in the Torrens River. I only came out last year, so it’s been a big transition for me and this is one of the challenges in sport.’’
Swans happy to ignore coach’s poll
James Buckley
SMH, August 10
Swans defender Nick Smith has hosed down suggestions Sydney is the team to beat in this year’s AFL, saying his side is only focused on winning its remaining three regular season games.
In a recent survey of AFL coaches, nine of the game’s leading men voted Sydney as most likely to win the premiership.
That was despite Sydney sitting two wins behind triple premiers Hawthorn at the time of the poll.
The Swans’ clinical demolition of Port Adelaide on Saturday certainly added plenty of weight to the argument, but Smith said premiership talk was premature.
Rainbow round can break down barriers
Lauren Wood
Daily Telegraph, Herald Sun, August 10
THIS weekend’s Pride Game will drive conversations that must be had, according to AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan.
St Kilda host Sydney at Etihad Stadium for the inaugural Pride Game match on Saturday, which aims to show support for and welcome the LGBTI community.
McLachlan concedes “we’re not going to solve everything with one game” but said the game was significant.
“Issues come up, it’s time we deal with this one,” he said. “People are born how they’re born. There are some in the community who still may not accept that. “If we can play a role with Sydney and the St Kilda football clubs in calling out that fact that everyone should able to be who they want to be. “If we can do that with a couple of clubs and a football game and have the conversation, then let’s have it, and that’s what this is about.”
St Kilda players will wear jumpers featuring rainbow numbers, Sydney players will don rainbow socks, goal umpires will wave rainbow flags and the 50m arc will feature rainbow colours.
Swans reluctant to accept the mantle of flag favourites
Adrian Warren
AAP, The Australian, August 9
Half the AFL coaches are tipping Sydney to win the premiership, but they’ll have a hard job convincing the Swans they’re flag favourites.
In the annual AFL media coaches survey, nine of the 17 who responded tipped Sydney to triumph.
Three-time defending champions Hawthorn lead by four points, with Sydney second on percentage from three other clubs. The Swans are notorious for publicly playing themselves down, and defender Nick Smith ran true to form when asked to respond to the survey’s results.
“I wouldn’t read too much into it, to be honest,” Smith said. “There’s eight sides this year in the top eight (and) maybe St Kilda as well, who can win the flag.
“I don’t reckon there’s been a year where it’s been so even and so open. It’s just going to come down to who can play the best footy at this time of year and hopefully can keep their best players on the park as well.”
