LGBTQ+ INCLUSION
Hockey NSW is a proudly diverse organisation, who actively celebrates LGBTQ+ diversity, inclusion, and pride in NSW hockey.
Hockey NSW recognises the importance of engaging a diverse community in growing participation, as well as valuing inclusivity and understanding the social responsibilities sport has in providing opportunities for all. We are committed to changing attitudes, promoting positive language, and policies that contribute to ensuring LGBTQ+ people feel welcome, comfortable, and recognised in today’s game.
Hockey NSW has zero-tolerance for any form of bullying, harassment, and/or vilification towards people with diverse sexuality and/or genders. This includes all forms of homophobia, biphobia, transphobia and/or interphobia.
How to report homophobic, biphobic, transphobic and/or interphobic behaviour?
Hockey NSW supports Hockey Australia's Guidelines for the Inclusion of Transgender and Gender Diverse People in Community and any breach of this policy shall be dealt with in accordance with the Hockey Australia Complaints and Disputes Policy.
- If you would like to report an incident at a game day, hockey event, club training or have an unspecified hockey concern, please lodge a complaint via the Complaints and Disputes Policy which can be found listed here on our info hub page. A current email address and phone number to the Hockey Australia Complaints Manager can be found on the first page of the policy.
- The Australian Human Rights Commission or State or Territory Human Rights Commission may also assist individuals in relation to any complaints of discrimination, harassment and/or victimisation under Federal or State and Territory laws. You can lodge a complaint with the Australian Human Rights Commission by clicking here .
If you would like help with advocacy, advice or support in making a report, our partner Bentstix Hockey Club has offered their assistance as an ally for any member of the hockey community. Please contact secretary Josh Latto (he/they) at bentstix.secretary@gmail.com if you would like to confidentially speak to someone from outside of Hockey NSW.
Should you require additional confidential support or assistance, please contact the following Hockey NSW staff members:
Ms. Corrina Bladock, Community Development Manager at corrina.b@hockeynsw.com.au - (02) 9764 1911
All enquiries and support requests to Hockey NSW will be dealt with in strict confidence by our staff.
Hockey NSW LGBTQ+ Ambassadors
Hockey NSW reached out to our community earlier this year seeking people who would like step-up and become LGBTQI+ Community Ambassadors for our sport. These community ambassadors help guide and support Hockey NSW with their inclusion activities and also become leaders in the space within their own local communities. We would like to introduce you to our wonderful ambassadors below:
| Ambassadors | Why were you interested in becoming a Hockey NSW Community Ambassador? |
|---|---|
| Aaron Nolan | As a proudly out player for the Bentstix, I am a passionate advocate of the importance of inclusion and understanding of those of us who are members of the LGBT community in sport. I see it constantly. I have lived the experience personally. Hockey and the community it creates has been of immeasurable importance to my well-being and I want to play a role in ensuring that my wider hockey community (both LGBT and not) understands just how much impact LGBT being not just welcomed but celebrated within a sporting community can be. It saves lives. Literally. |
| Ruth Glasgow | I think it is important for all sports to have a visible connection with the LGBTIQ+ community. As a member of the Bentstix Hockey Club I have seen the positive impact having a safe space to play sport can have and I would like to see all hockey clubs around NSW have that same environment for the LGBTIQ+ community. |
| Trent Marshall | Hockey has played a huge part of my life going all the way back to my Hobart days playing Under 16s with Eddie Ockenden to this current day coaching and playing with Benstix Hockey Club. This is an incredible opportunity to grow and create a safe community for all across the state of NSW , with avenues for all LGBTIQ identifying athletes to participate in this amazing sport of Hockey. Giving back and hopefully being able to assist in showcasing Hockey NSW as a safe and inclusive environment would be a privilege to be apart of. |
| Graeme Wanstall | I came out in 1974 at the age of 18 and have represented both NSW and Victoria at Australian Championships as well as the GayGames in 2000. |
| Luke Press | I love hockey, playing as a junior and returning again in my late 20s. Hockey has played a big part in supporting both my physical and mental health. Hockey has even taken me across the world with the Bentstix to play hockey in the Out Games and given me a chance to meet other LGBTQ hockey players from around the world. As an ambassador I want other country kids like myself to know that Hockey is a safe and inclusive sport. |
| Jenny Cornelius | I am part of the LGBTIQ community and have previously played with the Bentstix hockey club. I am involved with junior hockey in the sporting schools program and at club level and would love to use my experiences in both communities to spread inclusiveness. |
| Emerson Osterberg | Because I know representation is so important. I have loved hockey my whole live. When I transitioned I didn't know how I was going to play because I don't fit neatly into either gender. I want to be a positive voice in this discussion. |
| Alannah Galloway | This year, I joined the UNSW Hockey Club committee as their Publicity & Promotions Manager. Becoming an ambassador would cement my ability to promote and prioritise queer inclusion and events within this community, and it would be really beneficial to learn the best way to do so with this program! |
| Brooklyn Gibbs | I've played hockey for 10 years and am passionate about inclusive and accessible sport |
| Sinead Simpkins | I've been playing hockey since I was 9 going through Minkey Hockey. I want to share my love for hockey with the community as it's not just a sport but a community. |
| Roxy Tickle | Even in 2022 trans people are still being disowned by families and friends. I would like to help Hockey NSW show trans and gender diverse people how welcoming hockey is by telling them how welcoming it was for me. A hockey club can be chosen family to those that need one. |
| Ellen Barry | I have played hockey since I was 11 and have been an active member of the queer community for 10 years. I am part of the diversity and inclusion committee at my workplace and this position would give me the opportunity to combine my passion for sport with my passion for promoting LGBTQIA+ issues within the community. |
| Benjamin Vella | LGBTIQ+ Visibility and Inclusion in Hockey is incredibly important to me. Sharing the barriers LGBTIQ+ people face in entering sport and their experience once there, and understanding how we can equip players, teams and clubs to tackle these barriers, and make sport more inclusive for all is what interests me. |
| Julie Gosper | A lot of the lgbtqi community believe that they will be judged by sporting groups. I helped my son stay at hockey which he loved whilst going through his transition. I would love to help others in similar situations. |
LGBTQ+ Support Organisations
 |
A community organisation committed to ending HIV in the LGBTQ+ communities. ACON delivers campaigns and programs to eliminate new HIV transmissions and supports people living with HIV to live healthy and connected lives. |
Find out more |
 |
ReachOut Australia has more than 20 years’ experience of delivering digital mental health and wellbeing programs, backed by their own in-house digital team. Their trusted self-help information, peer-support program and referral tools save lives by helping young people be well and stay well. |
Find out more |
 |
Australia’s most well-known and visited mental health organisation, focused on supporting people affected by anxiety, depression and suicide. They connect people with evidence-based products and services to support improvements in mental health literacy and techniques. |
Find out more |
 |
An LGBTQ+ community organisation for Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders providing a network of supportive individuals with a shared experience and ready to respond to any questions. |
Find out more |
 |
Australia’s first nationally-oriented counselling and referral service for LGBTQI+ people. QLife provides free Australia-wide anonymous, telephone and webchat support for people wanting to talk about a range of issues including sexuality, identity, gender, bodies, feelings or relationships. |
Find out more |
 |
The Gender Centre INC the peak state-wide multidisciplinary centre of excellence, providing a broad range of specialised services that enables the exploration of gender identity and assistance with the alleviation of gender dysphoria. They offer a wide range of services to people with gender issues, their partners, family members and friends in New South Wales. |
Find out more |
 |
Twenty10 incorporating GLCS NSW (Gay & Lesbian Counselling Service of NSW) works with LGBTIQA+ people and others of diverse genders and sexualities, as well as their families and communities. They are a Sydney based service working across New South Wales, providing a broad range of specialised services including housing, mental health, counselling and social support. |
Find out more |
For more LGBTQ+ Support Organisations head to the MardiGras support network page by clicking here.
LGBTQ+ Inclusive Resources
Guidelines for the Inclusion of Transgender and Gender Diverse People in Community Hockey
Creating an LGBTIQ+ Inclusive Club (Play by the Rules)
LGBTIQ+ Language Guide, Pride In Sport
LGBTIQ+ Days of significance, Pride In Sport
Guidelines for the Inclusion of Trans and Gender Diverse People in Sport, Sport Australia
Twenty10 LGBTIQ+ Resource Library
Proud 2 Play Online Resource Hub
Minus18 Resource Hub for Youth and Adults
Qlife Resources for LGBTI People, Friends, Family, Support Workers and Mental Health Professionals
Pride in Sport
Hockey NSW participates in the national Pride in Sport index and joined as a member in 2021.
The Pride in Sport Index is an initiative of the Australian Human Rights Commission and Sport Australia.
The Pride in Sport Index™ (PSI) is the first and only benchmarking instrument specifically designed to assess the inclusion of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex (LGBTI) people within Australian sport and sporting organisations. Participating in the index allows Australian sporting organisations to not only assess their own practice but determine which constitutes good practice, along with the ability to benchmark their own initiatives against an external measure and other sporting organisations.
Benstix Hockey Club
Hockey NSW have entered into a special partnership with Bentstix Hockey Club – a proud LGBTIQA+ hockey club from Sydney’s Eastern suburbs.
Through the partnership, Benstix will assist Hockey NSW in the completion of the Pride in Sport Index and offer support and feedback on areas of the organisation where improvements can be made in regards to inclusion. Bentstix will also work in collaboration with Hockey NSW to help develop, plan and deliver key initiatives that promote greater inclusion of people with diverse sexualities and genders within hockey.
Bentstix are a fantastic example of a wonderfully inclusive and active hockey club in NSW that genuinely promote participation from all areas of the community. They have a number of well-respected professionals from the LGBTIQA+ community as members of the club, who can provide educated and insightful advice to Hockey NSW on inclusion within our sport throughout NSW.