Local LGBTI+ sporting clubs Perth Pythons Hockey Club and Loton Park Tennis Club have been named as finalists in this year’s Australian Pride In Sports Awards.
On June 12th, the Pythons will be in the running for the 2019 LGBTI Community Sporting Award for initiatives that make an “outstanding contribution… to the broader role of LGBTI inclusion within Australian Sport”. Loton Park are up for the Small Club category, while their representative Tony Boutoubia is up for the Out Role Model prize.
This year’s celebrations will be held in Melbourne and hosted by SBS NITV’s Matty Web with special guest speakers Matt Cecchin, International Rugby League Referee, Daniel Kowalski, Alex Blackwell and Kate Palmer, CEO of Sport Australia (formerly the Australian Sports Commission).
“We are so proud to be recognised for our achievements over the past 12 months,” said Reid Smith, Pythons’ President.
“Our success at the awards last year really motivated us to push further than we had previously thought possible. To think that such a small group of passionate sports fans can make such a huge impact is really inspiring.”
Perth MP John Carey says there is no doubt that the Pythons have led the way for the LGBT+ sporting sector.
“[The Pythons are] demonstrating how a successful club can operate and providing inspiration to other LGBT+ sporting teams to form,” Carey said.
“The success of the club can be put down to a strong focus on building an inclusive, welcoming and positive culture, where every member is valued for their contribution.”
Last year the Pythons took home two Pride in Sports awards, the LGBTI small club award and the LGBTI Inclusive Coach Award for Reid Smith. This year’s nomination is based on the Pythons gold medal win at the 2018 Paris Gay Games and their 2018 Pride Sports Festival. The festival was held during last year’s Pride celebrations and included a number of local LGBTI+ sporting clubs.
OIP Staff
