The Australian Football League in conjunction with the National Australia Bank today announced the first AFL sanctioned match in celebration of the LGBTI community.

Sydney Swans and the Fremantle Dockers will go head to head in the NAB Challenge Pride match on Sunday, 15 March at Drummoyne Oval in Western Sydney.

NAB Group Chief Executive Officer Andrew Thorburn made the following comments:

“At NAB we believe in diversity – we want everyone to be themselves at work, home and at the footy,” Mr Thorburn said. “The NAB Pride match has been created because at NAB, we don’t just sponsor the game. We want to use football’s reach to demonstrate our support for our people and our customers in the communities we serve, regardless of their gender diversity or sexual orientation.

“We’re committed to doing the right thing by our customers and people and delivering an inclusive culture in everything we do.”

Openly gay football player Jason Ball  in 2014 established a Pride Cup match between his local club Yarra Glen and Yarra Junction. He said he was excited to see this initiative now at a national level. “The NAB Challenge Pride match is a significant step forward that will help make sport and the AFL a place where everyone feels accepted no matter who they are,” Mr Ball said.

To celebrate the NAB Challenge Pride match, the 50 metre arc, goal post pads and goal umpire flags will be decorated in rainbow colours. The match will begin at 4.10pm AEST Sunday 15 March at Drummoyne Oval, Sydney.
OIP Staff