One of Australia’s largest LGBTI+ sport inclusion initiatives has secured funding until 2021 with NAB.

Star Observer have reported that Pride Cup Australia have extended their partnership with the bank, allowing the event to reach their goal of celebrating LGBTI+ people in AFL across 120 clubs.

Pride Cup began as a gesture of solidarity, when player and current Greens candidate for Higgins Jason Ball came out as gay in 2012. The Yarra Glen Football Netball Club donned rainbow jumpers and painted the pitch in rainbow colour.

The event inspired the now annual AFL Pride Game – first played between St Kilda FC and Sydney Swans in 2016.

“Through our partnership with Pride Cup Australia we can help sporting clubs to create inclusive, progressive and successful communities,” Chief Customer Experience Officer Rachel Slade said.

“NAB has an ongoing commitment to supporting football – we’ve partnered with the AFL for the past 18 years, including being the naming rights partner of the NAB AFL Women’s competition since the inaugural season in 2016.”

NAB and Pride Cup will also expand to regional and rural areas around Australia, and help to educate the sporting community on LGBTI+ issues.

For more information on Pride Cup, head to pridecup.org.au

OIP Staff