Throughout June, Big V and NBL1 South have been celebrating Pride Month, with numerous associations participating in a range of activities to show their support. Among them, the Melbourne University Basketball Club truly stood out with their initiatives.
To mark the occasion, the club unveiled playing jerseys designed specifically for their three Big V teams, which were complemented by Pride Round towels and lanyards supplied by Basketball Victoria. The striking gear not only looked amazing but also carried a strong message of inclusivity and of course, pride.
Jordan Allan, Basketball Administrator at Melbourne University Basketball Club, emphasised their commitment to creating an inclusive environment. "We are an inclusive place for all sexualities and genders to partake in basketball. We want to strengthen our community to be open and inclusive. We took this on as a major issue and wanted to show that we welcome everybody to our club," Allan stated.
This year's theme, "We Are One," was fully embraced by the teams, who used the platform to demonstrate that all levels of basketball are welcoming and inclusive. The basketball club also collaborated with other Melbourne University sporting clubs, including the netball and football clubs, to highlight that the university provides a safe environment across various sports. For a moment, the competitive nature of sports was set aside to celebrate Pride Round.
Allan shared his enthusiasm in organising the event. "For me, it was incredibly fulfilling to put on this event. All three of our Big V teams played that night, and the stadium looked amazing with all the pride flags and jerseys on display. Hopefully, it showed other clubs that basketball is an inclusive place and a wonderful community to be a part of," he said.
The 2024 Pride Month is just about to end, there are still several associations hosting their Pride Round matches, including Whittlesea and Coburg for Big V and Melbourne Tigers have their Big V and NBL1 South rounds.
We invite everyone to share their Pride Round photos—post them and tag us! Let's continue to celebrate inclusivity and the spirit of togetherness in sports.
