After supporting the Hornets for the past two years, the Club’s new partnership with Perth’s only LGBTQIA+ community AFL club further strengthens the commitment to diversity and inclusion in football.

Established in 2018, the Perth Hornets compete as part of the AFL9’s Spring and Summer competitions and pride themselves on being a safe space for all members.

The West Coast Eagles have worked closely with the Hornets since 2022 ensuring their sustainability, running football sessions, supporting their stall at the Pride WA Fair Day and marching with them at the 2022 Pride Parade.

Community and Game Development General Manager Richard O’Connell highlighted the Club’s ongoing mission to make football more diverse and inclusive and the significance of community partners in achieving this.

“We at the West Coast Eagles believe football is a sport for everyone, the ultimate forum for inclusion – there’s an opportunity for everyone to get a true sense of belonging by being connected to a team. Diversity of fans is an opportunity to have diversity of conversation with each learning a little more about each other,” he said.

“When we were preparing for our first Club Pride guernsey we attempted to better engage with the LGBTQIA+ community and are incredibly appreciative of the support the Hornets provided to us on this journey, along with Pride WA, Pride Victoria Park and Gerry Matera.

“Since these early days we have continued to remain connected and helped each other to promote and foster football in the LGBTQIA+ community. We are proud to consider the Hornets as friends.”

Perth Hornets President Toby Burridge said, “The Hornets have been grateful for the support received and the progression made within the AFL thanks to our informal partnership with the West Coast Eagles. In order to build on our vision of making the AFL an inclusive sport for the LGBTQIA+ community, it made sense to formalise our partnership.”

I believe there would be a lot of people out there in our community who may have stopped playing sport as a teenager or even as a young adult due to a fear of discrimination or homophobia – I’m hoping that this foundation we are building upon with the Eagles will improve this.

- Toby Burridge

“West Coast Eagles’ willingness to partner with an LGBTQIA+ AFL 9’s Club shows that they are committed to supporting people in our community, which will hopefully allow players and supporters in both the West Coast Eagles and other clubs to feel safe and comfortable with being themselves.”

The West Coast Eagles are proud of our Diversity and Inclusion partnerships that continue to provide football opportunities to people of any age, background, identity or ability.

To find out more about the Perth Hornets contact: theperthhornets@gmail.com