PRIDE ROUND TO KICK OFF THE AUSTRALIAN WATERPOLO LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP & SOUTHERN CROSS CUP

The Australian Waterpolo League is set to reach new heights this weekend, with the Championship and Southern Cross Cup competitions getting underway across the country.

The first rounds of the home and away season will also be Pride Round.

As part of Pride Round, the Victorian Phoenix have partnered with Melbourne Surge, Victoria’s only LGBTIQ+ and inclusive water polo club, who will be on hand at Caulfield Grammar School this weekend to cheer on the team. 

Victorian Phoenix Women’s Head Coach and Triple Olympian Rowie Webster said she’s excited for the weekend and thankful for the support of her community.

“It’s [Pride Round] an initiative that’s close to my heart, myself being part of the LGBTIQ+ community,” Webster said.

“To know that I have the support of the Victorian Phoenix and Victorian water polo community is special. 

“Showing our support for Pride Round is important to us and it shows the work that we’re doing down here to make water polo more diverse, inclusive and a safe space for everyone.,” she said.

As part of the celebrations this weekend, the Victorian Phoenix men’s and women’s teams will don rainbow caps to show their support.

“We have a set of pride caps that were funded by Water Polo Australia, Water Polo Victoria and Victorian Phoenix for this round, and we’re really grateful for the support.

“It’s a small way that our players can show their support through wearing the caps, and we’ve got some pride shirts for staff as well.

“It was important for us to do our little part, and great timing with World Pride in Sydney as well.

“Pride is a message that is a hot topic at the moment, but it should be something that we never forget.

“Diversity and inclusion is something I am so passionate about, and it’s something that we should all keep at the forefront of our minds each and every day.

“If we as a sport can create a space where everyone is happy and feels safe, we should all be proud. And Pride Round is one of the steps that we’re taking to get there,” she said.

The first round of Australian Waterpolo League Championship and Southern Cross Cup competitions gets underway tonight and will run across the weekend. 

Catch feature games live via KommunityTV - click here to see the broadcast schedule for this weekend.