Melbourne University Lightning celebrate Pride Round

Melbourne University Lightning are proud to lead the Victorian Netball League (VNL) into Pride Round this Wednesday May 17.

The Club launched the first ever Pride match during the 2016 VNL season against ACU Sovereigns, with the VNL’s inaugural Pride Round coming to fruition in 2021. The Club was recognised as Netball Victoria’s Inclusive Community of the Year the same year.

Former President, now patron of the Club, Lindy Murphy was the brains behind the inclusive initiative, which, with support from Netball Victoria from the beginning, now encompasses the entire league, including umpires and bench officials.

The Club’s Major Partner Melbourne University was also the first University Sport signatories to ACON’s Pride in Sport Program, which culminated in being awarded the highest honour for LGBTQIA+ initiatives in Australian sport at the 2020 Australian Pride in Sport Awards, alongside Tennis Australia.

Athletes and coaches across both the Club’s VNL and Bolts Development teams will wear a specially-designed Pride Round uniform and bibs over the next week to mark the occasion.

Melbourne University Lightning President Michael Hutchinson is delighted the Club is leading the way.

“Sport, particularly at grassroots level, is often the backbone of communities, and so we should be able to look all the way through the pathway, in every code, whether that be VNL or elsewhere, and be a reflection of the community and society in general.

"I’m incredibly proud that Melbourne University Lightning is more than just about being inclusive, but we live it and are proud to show it.”

All ten VNL clubs will wear Pride bibs this week, with some also adopting a Pride Round uniform.

Melbourne University Lightning take on Ariels when the Victorian Netball League’s Pride Round takes place tomorrow night at Melbourne Sports Centre, Parkville.

Wednesday May 17 also marks the International Day Against LGBTQIA+ Discrimination.