Inaugural Pride Cup

[Graeme]

The inaugural Pride Cup was played between Yarra Glen and Yarra Junction on Saturday 3rd May. I was there (after receiving an email from one of the players) and I took a few photos. As I don't want to overload the recent gallery list, I'm uploading them over the next few days. They'll all be in my Australian Rules Football gallery.

 

The Pride Cup is an example of a grassroots movement against homophobia. One of the major driving forces behind its creation is Jason Ball -- an openly gay player for Yarra Glen. The official record for the competition from the Yarra Valley Mountain District Football and Netball League included a full page article under the heading of Country football takes on the homophobia challenge with pride.

 

Before the game, both teams lined up and a few words were said regarding the occasion. The minister of the local Uniting Church then spoke for a couple of minutes before the national anthem was sung. The game then started.

 

It turned out to be a largely one-sided affair. Yarra Glen dominated the game. I left at 3/4 time as I had to get home, but at that point in the game, Yarra Glen had kicked 14 goals to Yarra Junctions 1...

 

The game also made the national newspapers even though it was only a local competition, not an national or even statewide one.

[Andy78]

This is really great news Graeme

 

Thanks for sharing.

[wildone]

I agree, the idea that something as rough and rugged as Australian Rules Football would start this is amazing. Possibly in future years there may be more teams involved than two. But you have to start somewhere

 

If you didn't know, Graeme has a great story coming to a conclusion about a Australian Rules Football team that is pretty amazing. You can find it here.