AFLW player Haneen Zreika has again refused to participate in Pride Round on religious grounds.
The Giants have confirmed she again won’t feature in her side’s game against Adelaide on Saturday.
This marks the third consecutive year that Ms. Zreika has declined to wear the LGBTQI+ pride jumper. While sources suggest she does support her LGBTQI+ team mates on a personal level, her refusal to participate in the GWS match during an event meant to foster inclusion is a point the AFL desperately tries to gloss over each year.
3AW’s Tom Elliott has used this boycott to dismiss the idea of themed rounds as “social engineering” including multicultural round, indigenous round and “I certainly don’t agree with Pride Round”.
Elliott didn’t mention ANZAC round, though consistency would suggest he firmly disagrees with marking ANZAC Day and the AFL memorialising the sacrifices of Aussie diggers.
CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA – SEPTEMBER 10: Haneen Zreika of the Giants handpasses during the round two AFLW match between Greater Western Sydney Giants and Melbourne Demons at Manuka Oval, on September 10, 2023, in Canberra, Australia. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)
On the other side of the issue, as Collingwood captain Brianna Davey approaches her 50th AFLW match, the significance of AFLW Pride Round resonates more deeply than ever. This week, the Pride Round coincides with Davey’s milestone game as the Magpies face Port Adelaide at Alberton Oval.
Reflecting on her journey, Davey shared how her earlier experiences with the Matildas exposed her to the LGBTQI+ community within sports.
“Before footy, I played soccer with the Matildas and there were definitely queer women in that space,” Davey said. “So I was exposed to it, but I think from a societal point of view, where pride was really something to celebrate and not to sort of keep under wraps … I don’t remember seeing a lot of that.”
Davey acknowledged that greater visibility and acceptance could have eased her personal struggles with her sexuality.
“I do think if there was sort of more awareness back when I was thinking about my sexuality, and sort of battling with it a little bit, that would have made that a little bit easier,” she shared.
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – OCTOBER 05: Brianna Davey of the Magpies leads her team out onto the field during the round six AFLW match between Richmond Tigers and Collingwood Magpies at Swinburne Centre, on October 05, 2024, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
The importance of Pride Round extends beyond personal significance for Davey; she sees it as an opportunity to inspire and support others who may be grappling with their own identities.
“Hopefully if there is someone young that does want to come out, if their family is watching or they may be scared to come out to [them], maybe they’ll learn something through watching our Pride Round,” Davey said.
CEO of Pride Cup, Hayley Conway, said:
“Simply by including LGBTQ people in those clubs, in their W teams, what we’re seeing is that clubs are being forced to reckon with the parts of their culture that were exclusionary to women or exclusionary to LGBTIQ people… And then it makes it even easier for [players] coming out from that perspective… [sports clubs] are also workplaces for those players. So by the AFL ensuring this round goes ahead, it’s pushing clubs to make sure that they’re creating safe work environments …”
While the AFLW wrestles with its values of inclusion over Zreika’s boycott, players like Davey and officials like Conway play a crucial role in fostering a supportive environment both on and off the field.
Collingwood will take on Port Adelaide this weekend at Alberton Oval during the AFLW Pride Round. Fans are encouraged to show their support and celebrate diversity within the sport.
What does Pride Round mean to you? Should the AFLW show tolerance for intolerance? Share your thoughts in the thread.
