The Beginning of the VFL Pride Cup
13/06/2018
The inaugural Sandringham Pride Cup on Sunday June 10 was an all-round success, as the first ever VFL Pride Match was played out between Sandringham and Frankston. From a football perspective, the players stood up for the occasion, getting the win and thrashing the Dolphins by 122 points.
But the day was about much more than footy this week, as the club celebrated and acknowledged the LGBTI+ community, and welcomed them with open arms as a part of the VFL community.
After the successful AFL Pride Match between St Kilda and Sydney Saturday night, the day kicked off with the Pride Cup President’s Luncheon hosted by MC Bec Dahl.
Bec is a part of JOY 94.9’s radio shows Chicks Talking Footy and Family Matters, and she is also a Family Lawyer at Nicholes Family Law, a boutique firm specialising in Family Law and Human Rights Law.
Club president Nick Johnstone addressed the room, with roughly 80 people in attendance. The number of people who turned out in support of this cause is a true testament to the fantastic culture that football as a sport is building, and Sandringham as a club in particular.
Ro Allen is the Commissioner for Gender and Sexuality, and is the first person to be given this title. Ro spoke to the attendees of the Luncheon and provided some real insight for those who were there. Bec Dahl introduced the panel, which included Pride Cup Australia’s James Lolicato, LGBTI+ advocates Hannah Mouncey and Tynan Winmar and St Kilda footballer Sam Gilbert.
On the field, Tynan Winmar also did the coin toss prior to the beginning of the match. The 50m lines on both ends of the field were painted rainbow, the goal posts were also covered with rainbow coloured padding, the goal umpires used rainbow flags and there were more rainbow pride flags being handed out to all the kids at the game.
The Sandringham boys were decked out in their footy jumpers which had rainbow stripes down the front, and their numbers were also rainbow striped. A signed version of the Sandringham Pride jumper was auctioned off and won by VFL Sandringham Cup major sponsor KPA Lawyers for $650.
Overall, the day was received well by the wider Sandringham and VFL community. Events like this are really important contributors to progress, and making the LBGTI+ community feel welcome at football games. It is critical for many, that the stigma surrounding LGBTI+ people is broken down so that the football is a safe place for everyone. A big thank you to the Frankston Football Club and to everyone who was involved in making it a wonderful occasion.
To read our Match Report for the game or to check out a bunch of photos from the day, click below.
