Sydney WorldPride is set to be a historic event this year, as two sporting teams from opposite sides of the world come together to celebrate in the Harbour City. The Sydney Swans are joining forces with the Los Angeles Rams, marking the first time the event has been held in the southern hemisphere and coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the first Australian Gay Pride Week.
Rams Cheerleaders, staff, and mascot ‘Rampage’ will march with the Sydney Swans in the iconic Mardi Gras Parade. This year, the parade returns to its traditional route along Oxford Street, finishing near the Swans’ home at Moore Park. This will be the sixth time the Sydney Swans are taking part in the parade, after becoming the first professional sporting team to participate in 2018, while the Rams will be marching in the parade for the first time.
The two teams will also come together the day after the parade for a family-friendly ‘come and try’ event. Pride Goals, which will take place on Sunday, February 26th at Moore Park, is open to everyone and will teach participants basic AFL skills and cheer skills in a fun and sun-filled afternoon.
The Sydney Swans will also bring the red and white to Fair Day, the traditional rainbow extravaganza at Victoria Park on Sunday, February 19th. Fair Day is a beloved event on the Mardi Gras calendar, and the Rainbow Swans, the team’s official LGBTIQA+ supporter group, will be on hand to talk about how to get involved with the team this season.
Rams Cheerleaders will perform at several events during Sydney WorldPride, including the opening Concert Live and Proud, the Domain Dance Party, Pride Villages, and the Mardi Gras parade. They will also visit local schools, military bases, and host cheer clinics for youth in Sydney.
Scott Dalby, Sydney Swans Executive General Manager of People and Culture, stated that the club is eager to play an active role in Sydney WorldPride and welcomes the Rams as part of the celebrations. He believes that professional sporting organizations can be a powerful unifying force for inclusion and equality, and that diversity is a strength reflected in the people who work for the club, the fans who support it, and the broader community of Sydney that it represents.
Los Angeles Rams Head of International and Special Projects, Stephanie Cheng, shares the same sentiment. She is thrilled to come together with the Sydney Swans to further carry the message of inclusivity and the power of sport. Whether it’s in LA, Australia, or beyond, the Rams are proud to use their platform to advocate for all members of the communities they touch and celebrate diversity and inclusion.
In conclusion, the partnership between the Sydney Swans and the Los Angeles Rams is a powerful symbol of inclusion and diversity, and a celebration of the power of sport to bring people together. Don’t miss the chance to witness this historic event and join the teams in celebrating WorldPride in Sydney.
