Local LGBTI+ hockey club Perth Pythons have created a fundraising calendar that hopes to raise much needed funds for the sporting group as well as promote positive body images in sport.
A combination of professional hockey players and amateurs have taken their kit off for the good cause, revealing all in the 2018 Pride in Hockey Calendar.
The Calendar project, led by Reid Smith, aims to combat homophobia by showing that everyone can play hockey. The calendar was made in response to a statistic from the Out on the fields study, which found that 80% of participants had experienced or witnessed homophobia while playing or watching sport.
Voodoo sponsored players, Gabi Nance, Tom Craig & Dylan Wotherspoon are elite athletes in the Australian Hockey program and allies of the LGBTI community.
They put their bodies on the line, literally, and braved a chilly 6:00am shoot down at Swanbourne Beach to prove that making sport more inclusive was important to them.
Dylan Wotherspoon said he was proud to be involved in the project and supported moves to make sport more inclusive.
“An individual’s sexuality does not define their skill, performance or commitment to sport; it shouldn’t impede their participation. As a young Australian hockey player, I am proud to support this project to end homophobia in sport. I’m excited to see active steps being taken to ensure that a more inclusive sporting environment is created for generations to come.”
Artistic Director and Founder of the Pride in Hockey Calendar, Reid Smith, said the calendar was something he has wanted to do for some time.
“Growing up, I would hear a lot of homophobic slurs thrown around the hockey field. I wasn’t able to stand up for others or myself because I was too scared of being rejected by my teammates.
“This calendar, as part of the work we are doing at The Perth Pythons, is our contribution to making hockey a more inclusive sport. I hope it gives people the confidence to be their true selves, because that in turn enriches community groups like our sporting clubs.” Smith said.
The Perth Pythons are Perth’s first LGBTI+ hockey club, and funds from the calendar will benefit their projects to make sport more inclusive.
The Calendar’ will be launched at the Perth Pride Cup on Thursday 23 November 2017. The Pride Cup will feature an exhibition match, live commentary and a half-time show from local drag queens Fay Rocious, BarbieQ and Alexas Armstrong.
Copies of the calendar can also be bought online at the perthpythons.com website.
Source: Media Release
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