A child on a rowing machine being taught by a person on how to row

Education & Capacity Building

Empowering your sporting organisation with knowledge and strategies for LGBTQI+ Inclusion in sports, we're the leaders in LGBTQI+ education all over Australia.

Education Stream

This session will help prepare participants with an introduction to LGBTQI+ inclusion in sport and movement settings. The session is ideal for those organisations or individuals who have never engaged in LGBTQI+ inclusion, or recently started working with LGBTQI+ communities.

Key learning units will include:

Introduction to working with LGBTQI+ communities

LGBTQI+ inclusive language and terminology

LGBTQI+ people’s experiences of sport and movement settings
This session will help prepare participants to better understand the concept of gender diversity, and how they can support trans and gender diverse athletes to participate and engage in sport and movement settings.

Key learning units will include:

Exploring the concept of gender and sex, and trans and gender diverse inclusion in sport and movement settings

Understanding the law and the requirements around the Sex Discrimination Act and the Equal Opportunity Act, in addressing various forms of discrimination.

Barriers and facilitators to the inclusion of trans and gender diverse athletes

What inclusion can look like for trans and gender diverse athletes: case studies in applied settings.
This session follows on from the ‘Introduction to LGBTQI+ inclusion in sport and movement settings 101’ and will provide an in-depth exploration to working with LGBTQI+ communities, and some of the barriers and facilitators to people with diverse sexualities, genders, and sex characteristics.

Key learning units will include:

Current research and evidence on the inclusion climate for LGBTQI+ athletes, participants, coaches, and volunteers within sport and movement settings

The impact of homophobia, biphobia, transphobia, and intersex discrimination in sport and movement settings (including mental health and overall wellbeing)

Barriers and drivers of participation and inclusion for LGBTQI+ people in sport and movement settings

Fostering safe and inclusive spaces for LGBTQI+ people, including rainbow families.

Case studies of LGBTQI+ inclusion including: LGBTQI+ sports fans, developing participation and competition pathways for LGBTQI+ people in sport, and respecting and celebrating lesbian athletes, coaches, and participants.

Supporting Trans and Gender Diverse Players

Details

In a regional Australian community sports club, a watershed moment occurred when a young player came out as transgender. The club, while supportive, faced the immediate challenge of recognising their lack of understanding in LGBTQI+ inclusion, especially in supporting transgender athletes. Questions and concerns arose about how to properly communicate, support the player's journey, and ensure a respectful and inclusive environment for everyone involved.

Proud 2 Play became a key ally in overcoming these hurdles. The club commenced with Proud 2 Play's "Introduction to LGBTQI+ inclusion in sport and movement settings (101)" course. This session provided valuable insights into LGBTQI+ inclusive language and terminology and served as a primer to understanding the experiences of LGBTQI+ individuals in sport, effectively addressing their initial challenges. This knowledge was further expanded upon through the "Introduction to trans and gender diverse inclusion in sport + movement settings" course, helping the club understand the unique intricacies of supporting transgender athletes.

To surmount the complex challenges of inclusion, the club enrolled in the "Working with LGBTQI+ communities in sport and movement settings (Advanced)" course. This education provided an in-depth examination of LGBTQI+ inclusion, focusing on addressing barriers, fostering safe spaces, and learning from the successes and failures of other inclusion initiatives. Armed with the knowledge and tools acquired from these courses, the club managed to successfully transform its approach towards inclusion, creating a more supportive and welcoming environment for all athletes, regardless of their gender identity or sexual orientation.

A person wearing a stand out cup t shirt

Education Stream

This session will help prepare participants to better understand the concept of gender diversity, and how they can support trans and gender diverse athletes to participate and engage in sport and movement settings.

Key learning units will include:

Exploring the concept of gender and sex, and trans and gender diverse inclusion in sport and movement settings

Understanding the law and the requirements around the Sex Discrimination Act and the Equal Opportunity Act, in addressing various forms of discrimination.

Barriers and facilitators to the inclusion of trans and gender diverse athletes

What inclusion can look like for trans and gender diverse athletes: case studies in applied settings.
This session follows on from the ‘Introduction to trans and gender diverse inclusion in sport’ session, with a more in depth and critical exploration into both gender and sex, elite sport policy and testosterone, and nuanced discussions around fairness debates surrounding the inclusion of athletes who do not conform to traditional western notions of masculinity and femininity, or those who sit outside the gender binary. The sessions draws upon the latest research and policies into trans and gender diverse athletes, whilst also hearing from a range of trans athletes about their experiences of participating in sport, and the impact of exclusionary and damaging sport policies.

Key learning units will include:

Exploring the global diversity of gender and sex, and gender diverse identities (including Indigenous populations and the global south)

A critical exploration of the level playing field and fairness debates in sport

Gender diversity, elite sport policy and participation (including testosterone and sex testing)

Exploring the evidence base surrounding trans athletes in sport

How to develop a trans and gender diverse inclusion policy (both elite and community)
This session will focus on inclusive language and perspectives when engaging with the LGBTQI+ community within the media industry, and is appropriate across print, digital and broadcast spaces. Included is an introduction to the lived experiences of LGBTQI+ people within sport and the history of homophobia, transphobia and discrimination inherent in traditional reporting on LGBTQI+ participation. Participants will learn appropriate language and terminology when discussing the LGBTQI+ community, with an emphasis on gender diverse participation.

Key learning units will include:

Introduction to the range of LGBTQI+ identity and the language that represents this community

A brief history of LGBTQI+ people and their experiences within sport

Current reporting environment towards the community and examples of discriminatory and inclusive reporting

Review of current inclusion policies across sport and an explanation of the scientific language inherent in policy

Credit: Stewart Westmore

Developing and Communicating Policy

Details

A national sporting association in Australia found themselves grappling with a growing need to accommodate trans and gender diverse athletes within their sporting divisions. Recognizing a gap in their policies, they encountered difficulties understanding the specific needs of trans and gender diverse individuals and the legal complexities under the Sex Discrimination Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. They sought to create an environment that was both legally compliant and wholly inclusive.

In response to these challenges, the association turned to Proud 2 Play for guidance. They began with the "Introduction to trans and gender diverse inclusion in sport + movement settings" course, providing them a foundation in gender diversity concepts and relevant legal requirements. To further their understanding, they enrolled in the "Trans and gender diverse inclusion in sport + movement settings: Advanced" course. This deep dive equipped them with the tools to critically review their own policies and address the complex issues surrounding inclusion at the elite level.

To round out their learning, the association participated in "Understanding LGBTQI+ Inclusion from a Media Perspective", which refined their ability to communicate their inclusive policies without causing unintentional harm. The comprehensive education stream enabled the development of a robust trans and gender diverse inclusion policy, fostering a supportive sporting environment and leading to increased participation from trans and gender diverse athletes. The association's dedication to understanding and supporting their diverse athletes ultimately strengthened their sporting community.

Education Stream

This session will help prepare participants with an introduction to LGBTQI+ inclusion in sport and movement settings. The session is ideal for those organisations or individuals who have never engaged in LGBTQI+ inclusion, or recently started working with LGBTQI+ communities.

Key learning units will include:

Introduction to working with LGBTQI+ communities

LGBTQI+ inclusive language and terminology

LGBTQI+ people’s experiences of sport and movement settings
This session follows on from the ‘Introduction to LGBTQI+ inclusion in sport and movement settings 101’ and will provide an in-depth exploration to working with LGBTQI+ communities, and some of the barriers and facilitators to people with diverse sexualities, genders, and sex characteristics.

Key learning units will include:

Current research and evidence on the inclusion climate for LGBTQI+ athletes, participants, coaches, and volunteers within sport and movement settings

The impact of homophobia, biphobia, transphobia, and intersex discrimination in sport and movement settings (including mental health and overall wellbeing)

Barriers and drivers of participation and inclusion for LGBTQI+ people in sport and movement settings

Fostering safe and inclusive spaces for LGBTQI+ people, including rainbow families.

Case studies of LGBTQI+ inclusion including: LGBTQI+ sports fans, developing participation and competition pathways for LGBTQI+ people in sport, and respecting and celebrating lesbian athletes, coaches, and participants.
This session will focus on inclusive practice when working with the LGBTQI+ community in allied health settings, and is appropriate for a number of clinicians including Physiotherapists, Exercise Physiologists, podiatrists, dieticians, social workers and practitioners.

Included is an introduction to the lived experiences of LGBTIQ+ people within health care systems and the history of homophobia, transphobia and discrimination faced. Participants will learn appropriate language and terminology when working with the LGBTQI+ community, setting goals, and workplace advocacy in creating safe and welcoming environments. Training will include how to appropriately navigate assessment, goal setting, physical intervention and patient-centred care.

Key learning units will include:

Introduction to working with LGBTQI+ communities in allied health settings

A brief history of LGBTQI+ people and their experiences in healthcare systems

A person-centred approach to optimal client healthcare interventions

Workplace advocacy and creating inclusive environments

Understanding the Barriers to Entry in Recreation Settings

Details

A well-established gym and leisure facility in Australia recognised the increasing diversity among their client base. It became apparent that their services and overall environment needed to evolve to better accommodate and support their LGBTQI+ clientele. However, the management faced challenges in understanding the unique needs of the LGBTQI+ community and felt ill-equipped to implement meaningful changes that would create a more inclusive and welcoming environment.

To address this, they sought the assistance of Proud 2 Play, enrolling in an educational program tailored to their specific needs. They commenced their learning journey with the "Introduction to LGBTQI+ inclusion in sport and movement settings (101)" course. This course equipped them with the basics of working with the LGBTQI+ community and understanding their experiences in sport and movement settings.

Building on their newfound knowledge, they pursued the "Working with LGBTQI+ communities in sport and movement settings (Advanced)" course. This deeper dive into the subject matter offered insights into the research and evidence behind LGBTQI+ inclusion, and the mental health implications of homophobia, biphobia, transphobia, and intersex discrimination. Finally, they participated in the "Working with LGBTQI+ communities in allied health settings" course, learning about optimal client healthcare interventions and how to create inclusive environments. The carefully selected education stream empowered the facility to make significant changes, ultimately leading to a more supportive and inclusive environment for their LGBTQI+ clients.

Our Inclusive Education

The Most Comprehensive LGBTQI+ Education Program in the Sports Sector

What sets Proud 2 Play's education apart is our dedication to accessibility, customisation, collaboration, and authenticity. We strongly believe in making education accessible to all, which is why we offer lower price points for small community clubs and groups. Understanding that one size does not fit all, we tailor our educational offerings to different audiences and provide bespoke education tailored to the unique needs of any organisation.

We believe in sustainable, ongoing education. Our relationship with you doesn't end after a single program. Instead, we view ourselves as partners in your journey, working in collaboration to achieve your inclusion goals. Importantly, our education is backed by research and delivered by people with lived experiences from different parts of the LGBTQI+ community, ensuring diverse perspectives and authentic voices.

With the most comprehensive and detailed LGBTQI+ inclusion sports education program in Australia, we are committed to fostering understanding and promoting inclusivity in sports. Our approach, depth of content, and the expertise of our team are the hallmark of our commitment to fostering a more inclusive sporting culture across Australia.

Inquire about our education offerings

Send us an email with any questions you may have.

Introductory Courses

Time: 90 minutes

This session will help prepare participants with an introduction to LGBTQI+ inclusion in sport and movement settings. The session is ideal for those organisations or individuals who have never engaged in LGBTQI+ inclusion, or recently started working with LGBTQI+ communities.

Key learning units will include:

Introduction to working with LGBTQI+ communities

LGBTQI+ inclusive language and terminology

LGBTQI+ people’s experiences of sport and movement settings
Time: 120 minutes

This session will help prepare participants to better understand the concept of gender diversity, and how they can support trans and gender diverse athletes to participate and engage in sport and movement settings.

Key learning units will include:

Exploring the concept of gender and sex, and trans and gender diverse inclusion in sport and movement settings

Understanding the law and the requirements around the Sex Discrimination Act and the Equal Opportunity Act, in addressing various forms of discrimination.

Barriers and facilitators to the inclusion of trans and gender diverse athletes

What inclusion can look like for trans and gender diverse athletes: case studies in applied settings.
Time: 120 minutes

This session will explain how homophobia, biphobia, transphobia and intersex discrimination affects the LGBTQI+ community within sport, what discrimination can look like and how to identify discrimination within your environment, and the most effective methods to address discrimination.

Key learning units will include:

Recognising the current climate towards the LGBTQI+ community in sport from a societal, administrative and media perspective

Exploring the causes of LGBTQI+ discrimination and how to identify perpetrators

Methods to address discrimination and create more inclusive and supportive environments in sport

Advanced Courses

Time: 180 minutes

This session follows on from the ‘Introduction to LGBTQI+ inclusion in sport and movement settings 101’ and will provide an in-depth exploration to working with LGBTQI+ communities, and some of the barriers and facilitators to people with diverse sexualities, genders, and sex characteristics.

Key learning units will include:

Current research and evidence on the inclusion climate for LGBTQI+ athletes, participants, coaches, and volunteers within sport and movement settings

The impact of homophobia, biphobia, transphobia, and intersex discrimination in sport and movement settings (including mental health and overall wellbeing)

Barriers and drivers of participation and inclusion for LGBTQI+ people in sport and movement settings

Fostering safe and inclusive spaces for LGBTQI+ people, including rainbow families.

Case studies of LGBTQI+ inclusion including: LGBTQI+ sports fans, developing participation and competition pathways for LGBTQI+ people in sport, and respecting and celebrating lesbian athletes, coaches, and participants.
Time: 180 minutes

This session will help prepare participants to understand the role of allyship in supporting LGBTQI+ people in sport and movement settings. The session will cover what allyship is and how people can be allies, and how to enact allyship behaviours. It will also help participants address and respond to discrimination, specifically homo/bi/transphobia, and increase support for LGBTQI+ inclusion within the context of your organisation or club.

Key learning units will include:

Understanding the concept of allyship, and within the context of LGBTQI+ communities

How to respond and address discrimination (homo/bi/transphobia), including bystander training methods and tools

How to be an active ally to LGBTQI+ people and adopt/ enact inclusive behaviours
Time: 300 minutes

This session will help prepare those in leadership and management positions to feel confident in engaging and enacting LGBTQI+ inclusion within their organisations. The role of leadership in enacting diversity and inclusion has been shown to be instrumental in adopting inclusion as part of the core business of an organisation and day to day practices. This session explores how those tasked with engaging and enacting LGBTQI+ inclusion can build support amongst staff and members, and how it can increase organisational outputs.

Key learning units will include:

Exploring institutional support and the business case for LGBTQI+ diversity and inclusion

Business/ theoretical management models exploring commitment and resistance to diversity and LGBTQI+ inclusion - focusing on attitudes and behaviours

How to increase support for institutional change and LGBTQI+ inclusion, and how LGBTQI+ inclusion affects all aspects and operations of an organisations
Time: 180 minutes

This session will help prepare those in leadership and management positions to feel confident in engaging and enacting LGBTQI+ inclusion within their organisations. The role of leadership in enacting diversity and inclusion has been shown to be instrumental in adopting inclusion as part of the core business of an organisation and day to day practices. This session explores how those tasked with engaging and enacting LGBTQI+ inclusion can build support amongst staff and members, and how it can increase organisational outputs.

Key learning units will include:

Exploring institutional support and the business case for LGBTQI+ diversity and inclusion

Business/ theoretical management models exploring commitment and resistance to diversity and LGBTQI+ inclusion - focusing on attitudes and behaviours

How to increase support for institutional change and LGBTQI+ inclusion, and how LGBTQI+ inclusion affects all aspects and operations of an organisations

Industry Specific Courses

Time: 180 minutes

This session will focus on inclusive practice when working with the LGBTQI+ community in allied health settings, and is appropriate for a number of clinicians including Physiotherapists, Exercise Physiologists, podiatrists, dieticians, social workers and practitioners.

Included is an introduction to the lived experiences of LGBTIQ+ people within health care systems and the history of homophobia, transphobia and discrimination faced. Participants will learn appropriate language and terminology when working with the LGBTQI+ community, setting goals, and workplace advocacy in creating safe and welcoming environments. Training will include how to appropriately navigate assessment, goal setting, physical intervention and patient-centred care.

Key learning units will include:

Introduction to working with LGBTQI+ communities in allied health settings

A brief history of LGBTQI+ people and their experiences in healthcare systems

A person-centred approach to optimal client healthcare interventions

Workplace advocacy and creating inclusive environments
Time: 180 minutes

This session will focus on LGBTQI+ youth in sport and movement settings, with a particular focus on young people under the ages of 20. This includes young trans and gender diverse children, adolescent rainbow young people who may be questioning or affirming their sexuality or gender identity, and young adults who may be starting the process of coming out in educational settings. This session is designed to support those working with LGBTQI+ young people in sport and movement settings to ensure every young person has access to safe and equitable provision, in order to lead healthy and active lives.

Key learning units will include:

The specific needs of LGBTQI+ youth

Understanding the long term impact of discrimination (specifically homo/bi/transphobia) on LGBTQI+ young people in PEHP and youth sport settings

The importance of fostering inclusive and safe sporting spaces, free of discrimination

Child safety standards and safeguarding issues for LGBTQI+ young people in sport and movement settings
Time: 180 minutes

This session provides guidance and support to athletes who identify as members of the LGBTQI+ community or wish to become allies for the community. The session will assist athletes to build confidence in their representation as individuals and within a industry framework, as well as strategies to negotiate potential effects of being a public advocate.

Key learning units will include:

Recognising current knowledge of LGBTQI+ Identity and identifying knowledge gaps

Reflecting on capacity to engage as an advocate or ally

Developing strategies regarding media engagement from both traditional and social media perspectives

Understanding current Gender Diverse Inclusion Policies within community and elite sporting environments
Time: 180 minutes

This session will focus on inclusive language and perspectives when engaging with the LGBTQI+ community within the media industry, and is appropriate across print, digital and broadcast spaces. Included is an introduction to the lived experiences of LGBTQI+ people within sport and the history of homophobia, transphobia and discrimination inherent in traditional reporting on LGBTQI+ participation. Participants will learn appropriate language and terminology when discussing the LGBTQI+ community, with an emphasis on gender diverse participation.

Key learning units will include:

Introduction to the range of LGBTQI+ identity and the language that represents this community

A brief history of LGBTQI+ people and their experiences within sport

Current reporting environment towards the community and examples of discriminatory and inclusive reporting

Review of current inclusion policies across sport and an explanation of the scientific language inherent in policy
Time: 180 minutes

This session will help prepare community sport clubs (including players, volunteers, coaches) to be inclusive of LGBTQI+ communities. The sessions will focus on steps clubs can take to ensure their language, practices, and culture are inclusive and welcoming, in addition to understanding how to recruit and attract people from rainbow communities. The session will use the Proud2Play inclusive club checklist to help participants develop an action plan to take back to their clubs to enact and foster meaningful change.

Key learning units will include:

Assessing and understanding sports club cultures, and how to foster inclusion.

Enacting inclusive cultures, policies, and processes.

Developing support and commitment for inclusion within your club

Communication and inclusive language working with LGBTQI+ clubs.

Education & Capacity Building for Everyone

At Proud 2 Play, we offer a comprehensive range of Education and Capacity Building programmes, all specifically designed to foster LGBTQI+ inclusion in community sports settings across Australia. Founded with a commitment to overcome the barriers to entry LGBTQI+ people face in sport and recreation, we have grounded our offerings in the latest research and evidence-based practices.

Our programmes are diverse, catering to organisations at all stages of their inclusion journey, from grassroots clubs to national sporting bodies. They range from introductory to advanced courses, as well as industry-specific content, allowing for a deep understanding of LGBTQI+ inclusion that can be applied within the unique framework of community sports.

Moreover, we understand the financial diversity in the sporting world. As such, we have tailored our offerings at different price points, making them accessible to both smaller community-based sports clubs and larger organisations. All our programmes aim to empower every organisation with the necessary tools to better engage with, and support the LGBTQI+ community in their sports settings, backed by the latest research and Proud 2 Play's unwavering commitment to promoting inclusivity and equality in sports.