At tennis, we aim to break down barriers and create environments where EVERY person feels confident to pick up a racquet and have a go. After all,\u00a0small changes in attitude on a community level can lead to huge steps in social attitudes all over the world!<\/p>\n
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On 17 November, over 1000 athletes, fans, spectators and community members will come together to celebrate the first ever Pride Sports Festival<\/strong> at UWA Sports Park and HBF Stadium.<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Bringing together\u00a0 athletes from seven sporting codes, (including tennis at UWA) with national sporting ambassadors, local MPs, drag queens and more, the festival aims to foster confidence, wellness and inclusion within the LGBT+ community, while celebrating diversity in sport.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The festival runs on three core values: Participation, Confidence and Inclusion.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re here to celebrate that anyone can play sport. When 85% of Aussie sports participants have experienced or witnessed homophobia in sport1<\/sup>, we\u2019re here to show that there\u2019s many Perth clubs who are welcoming and inclusive,\u201d says Festival founder Simon Thuijs.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThe Pride Sports Festival champions fun and festivity, rather than best-on-field performances, to help break down the barriers of \u2018I could never do that\u2019 and giving people the confidence to try.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Mr. Thujis said that through the medium of sport, we can help strengthen participants’ response to challenges, such as the increased rates of anxiety and depression the LGBTI community faces.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cLGBTI Aussies are twice as likely to have experience higher levels of psychological distress than their heterosexual peers2<\/sup>,\u201d Thuijs said.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cSport is a great way to build resilience and social links to a community which provides club members a lifetime of benefits. Participation in recreational groups and social physical activity reduces stress, anxiety and depression.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Perth\u2019s all-inclusive hockey team, the Perth Pythons, recently returned victorious from their first appearance at the Gay Games in Paris, where 10,000 people competed from around the world. It was this trip that spurred Thuijs to create an event for Perth to celebrate diversity in sport.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n John Carey MLA, State Member for Perth, will officially open the Festival as well as commentating one of the exhibition matches on the day.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAs the only openly gay Member of Parliament and strong supporter of three LGBTQI+ teams, I am\u00a0 proud to lend my voice to the Festival,\u201d said Mr. Carey.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Festival is open free to the public to enjoy exhibition matches, food and drinks, the \u2018Have a Go\u2019 hub, entertainment on the main stage, outdoors sundowner celebration until late, and \u2013 of course \u2013 an after party at Perth\u2019s iconic The Court Hotel.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Interested guests are invited to like the Facebook event to be kept up to date with all of the news and information about the Festival:<\/p>\n https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/events\/1872850722766109\/<\/a>)<\/p>\n <\/p>\n