Pride Round, not just a celebration but also about education

Kristin Sims

This weekend in William Buck Premier Women’s, Melbourne Uni will host their fifth pride round match. The pride round is a key event in the clubs calendar incorporating not just the game but also a luncheon on the day. 

This year’s games will be held against St Mary’s Salesian in Premier and reserves. In the thirds they will face off against West Brunswick. It will be the first time that St Mary’s have participated in the Pride match. For Melbourne Uni welcoming a different opponent each year is part of what makes the game so meaningful. 

“We love that each year we play a different team, they have enthusiastically joined us in celebrating.”  Melbourne Uni Vice President Terri O’Reilly told VAFA media this week 

In each of the five years the club has had a different focus and this year they are focusing on celebrating Trans and gender diverse participation in sport and recreation. The aim is to focus on creating and fostering safe and welcome spaces for as many people as possible. 

For Melbourne Uni the message about Pride and Inclusion is not just about the day, it is something that is part of the everyday fabric of the club. This includes the club introducing a draft of their updated Gender Inclusion Policy. 

“Our policy is that we have a no questions asked rule about gender inclusion. We will facilitate registrations from players who do not identify as women (trans, gender diverse, non-binary, genderqueer, intersex) particularly if they would not feel comfortable playing at another club” 

To further this statement the club have partnered with the Pride Cup and Proud2Play Organisations who work building understanding and educating sporting clubs on LGBTIQ+ issues. 

The groups will be providing education for players and staff around trans and gender diverse inclusion These sessions will be provided for Melbourne Uni and St Mary’s Salesian in the lead up to the match. 

To cap off the week, all profits from the day will go to Transgender Victoria who are Victoria’s leading body for trans and gender diverse people. They aim to achieve better social, economic, wellbeing and health outcomes for our communities. 

Another reason for celebration for Melbourne Uni will be for Captain Emma Delaney who will be playing her 50th game this weekend. Delaney is an impressive defender with a strong worth ethic. Having joined Melbourne Uni in 2021 from Fitzroy FC she made an immediate impact within the group to be named captain in 2022.

If you’re unable to make it to Melbourne University for the seniors game, you’ll be able to watch all the action LIVE on the VAFA Facebook page with the support of My Sport Live as Josh Heriot and Mitch Dyer bring you all the action at 2.00pm.

Pride Round Games will be 

10.00am: MUWFC thirds vs. West Brunswick 

12.00pm: MUWFC Reserves vs. St Mary’s 

2.00pm: MUWFC v St Mary’s