CV set for Pride March celebrations

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 14: Aaron Finch of the Renegades looks on prior to the Big Bash League match between the Melbourne Renegades and Sydney Thunder at Etihad Stadium on January 14, 2014 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

The event, which is supported by the Melbourne Stars and Melbourne Renegades, is part of the annual Midsumma Festival and will see Cricket Victoria promote its Proud Cricket inclusion program to the LGBTI+ community.

Proud Cricket is a research-driven program designed to improve equity and diversity by supporting Victorian cricket clubs with education and training to be able to create more inclusive club practices, policies and to improve club culture.

In partnership with Proud 2 Play, Cricket Victoria received funding from the VicHealth’s Innovation Challenge for the Proud Cricket initiative.

VicHealth Executive Manager of Programs Kirstan Corben said Proud Cricket would allow more LGBTI Victorians to get involved in sport.

“VicHealth is proud to support exciting and innovative concepts like Proud Cricket. We want people to feel comfortable getting involved in sport regardless of their age, gender, sexuality or ability,” Ms Corben said.

“Proud Cricket sends a message to LGBTI people that they’re welcome and safe in this sport. That diversity is cause for celebration, not disrespect or exclusion.”

In addition to participating in the official event, Cricket Victoria will host pre-march cricket activities on Ian Johnson Oval in St Kilda.

Cricket Victoria CEO Tony Dodemaide said the organisation was committed to providing all cricket participants with a safe, welcoming and inclusive environment.

“Sunday promises to be a terrific event and we’re delighted to have cricket play a role in the Pride March which is a major event for the LGBTI+ community as part of the Midsumma Festival,” Dodemaide said.

“We have worked very closely with Proud 2 Play in recent years and we are excited to continue our relationships with those organisations as well as to create new relationships with other LGBTI+ organisations with a focus on transgender, gender diverse and intersex inclusion,” Dodemaide said.

“This will become an important part of our summer calendar in the years ahead and we look forward to a very warm but successful day on Sunday.”

The 2017 march attracted more than 6,000 marchers and 45,000 spectators.

Cricket Victoria