Hockey NSW & Bentstix Hockey Club Set To Host World Pride in 2023

World Pride is coming to Sydney in February 2023 and Hockey NSW is excited to be collaborating with Bentstix Hockey Club to help host the event!

The anouncement of Sydney as the host location for the event is amazing news for the LGBTQIA+ community in Australia as well as our closest neighbours in the Asia-Pacific Region, and will bring people from across the globe to NSW.

It will be the first time in the history of World Pride (first celebrated in Rome in 2000) that the event it will be held in the Southern Hemisphere, and Hockey NSW and Bentstix Hockey Club can't wait to welcome the Queer Hockey family from across the globe to our shores.

Bentstix Hockey Club and Hockey NSW are working with WorldPride and Pink Hockey to make this a fantastic event. It is expected that over 250 interstate and international competitors and spectators will join the growing local LGBTQIA+ hockey community to compete in a fun and inclusive festival of hockey at Sydney Olympic Park.

There will be concurrent Men’s and Women’s round robin competitions, culminating with a finals series on the last day. Players can register to whichever competition closest represents their identity and organisers aim to make it possible for anyone in the community to pick up a hockey stick and reap the benefits of participating in our sport.

Bentstix Hockey Club is Sydney's only LGBTQIA+ hockey club.​ Established during the 1996 Sydney Mardi Gras Festival as a social network, the club has grown to become one of the world's largest and most successful LGBTQIA+ hockey clubs, with over 150 members.

Having sent players international previously and more recently teams receiving the gold medal at the 2018 Paris Gay Games and gold at the 2017 Miami World OutGames, Jesse Sounness, President of the Club, said they were proud to be hosting the Sydney WorldPride Hockey Tournament next year celebrating LGBTQIA+ hockey players of all skill levels from all around the world.

“We can’t wait to come together to play some great hockey, build connections and be proud of our amazing community” he said.

Kate Pulbrook, Participation Manager for Hockey NSW said “We are proud to be working alongside Bentstix on this fantastic event as we recognise 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.”

Hockey NSW is committed to changing attitudes, promoting positive language, and policies that contribute to ensuring LGBTIQ+ people feel welcome, comfortable, and recognised in today’s game.

In the meantime, contact Bentstix or Hockey NSW via socials for more information or if you'd like to be involved register an EOI by clicking here and don't forget to check out the details at the World Pride Website.