A national water polo event to be held at the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre this Friday 5 February will be the first national sporting event to celebrate diversity and inclusion in sport.
National League water polo club, The Victorian Seals and GLBTIQ water polo team the Melbourne Surge are proud to have created this event as part of the 2016 Midsumma calendar to promote equality and diversity in sport, to create education programs around inclusion and to promote these ideals into the wider sporting and general community.
With the full support of the National body Water Polo Australia, the NWPL Pride Cup will now become an annual fixture in the National Water Polo League Championship Season. Both the state and national water polo communities are embracing the Pride Cup and getting into the spirit of the event with the home team, The Victorian Seals wearing specialised Pride themed water polo caps and bathers to honour the occasion.
The NWPL Pride Cup will showcase both the Men’s and Women’s Elite National League matches between The Victorian Seals and KFC Brisbane Breakers, as well as a ‘grudge match’ between Australia’s only LGBTIQ Water Polo Clubs – Melbourne Surge and Sydney Stingers.
Rowena Allen, Victoria’s first Commissioner for Gender and Sexuality, and Patron of the National Water Polo League Pride Cup said: “The water polo Pride Cup is a great addition to the line up at the Midsumma Festival that will put a spotlight on ensuring that diverse gender and sexuality communities can participate in all parts of our community including sport.”
In addition, there will be entertainment featuring Dolly Diamond, fireworks and a transformation of the Melbourne Sports & Aquatic Centre outdoor pool to fully celebrate this Pride spectacular in front of a maximum crowd of 3000 people. Come along – cheer on your favourite team and celebrate LGBTIQ participation in every colour of the sporting rainbow.
2016 National Water Polo League (NWPL) Pride Cup
Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre, 30 Aughtie Drive, South Melbourne
Date: Friday 5 February 2016 – from 5.30pm
Bookings: www.ticketmaster.com.au
For more information, visit: www.pridecup.com.au for details.
Image: The Victorian Seals and Melbourne Surge get ready for the NWPL Pride Cup (supplied)