Sixteen athletes set to help drive LGBTIQ+ inclusion in Australian sport

Coinciding with the commencement of Sydney WorldPride 2023, 16 athletes have made a commitment to help make sport a more inclusive place after being appointed as the new AIS Thrive with Pride ambassadors.  

Now in its second year, the program will see rainbow athletes and allies drive LGBTIQ+ inclusion initiatives within their sporting communities over the next six months.  

AIS Acting Director Matti Clements congratulated each of the new ambassadors and said the appointment has come at a momentous time.  

“We know how powerful the athletes voice is so to have sixteen Australian athletes helping to educate and drive such important initiatives and conversations is really exciting.” 

“There’s also a huge amount of momentum at the moment with close to 20 sporting events being held during the Sydney WorldPride 2023 festival, all aimed at promoting visibility and inclusion of LGBTIQ+ people in sport, which is what our program is all about.” 

The Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) has once again engaged the expertise of Pride in Sport and Proud 2 Play who will work alongside the athletes to ensure they feel equipped and empowered to be role models in this space. 

More information about the program can be found here.  

2023 AIS Thrive with Pride ambassadors: 

• Alyssa West, Water polo Australia, South Australian Sport Institute
• Amelia Catt, Sailing, West Australian Institute of Sport
• Charlotte McShane, Triathlon, NSW Institute of Sport
• Greta Hayes, Hockey, NSW Institute of Sport
• Heath Thorpe, Gymnastics, NSW Institute of Sport
• Kalinda Robinson, Cycling, South Australian Sport Institute
• Katerina Paul, Snow, Victorian Institute of Sport
• Kaylia Stanton, Netball, Victorian Institute of Sport
• Maria Strong, Athletics, Victorian Institute of Sport
• Matthew Mitcham, Diving, NSW Institute of Sport
• Natalya Diehm, BMX, Queensland Academy of Sport
• Nikki Ayers, Rowing, ACT Academy of Sport
• Poppy Starr Olsen, Skateboarding, NSW Institute of Sport
• Rowie Webster, Water polo, Victorian Institute of Sport
• Ruby Bakewell-Doran, Netball, Queensland Academy of Sport
• Serena Bonnell, Bowls, Queensland Academy of Sport