We are
The Problem
Many LGBTIQ+ people are disengaged from sport and recreation, as these environments have not kept up with societal change.
Our Vision
An Australia where all LGBTIQ+ folks can engage in sport and recreation without fear or discrimination.
Our Purpose.
Reduce social isolation, stigma, and discrimination of LGBTIQ+ folks through the power of sport and recreation to create safe and affirming spaces for participation.
Who we are.
Proud 2 Play focuses on increasing LGBTIQ+ engagement in sport, exercise and active recreation. To do this, we work with all levels of the sporting community, from individual participants and grassroots communities, to state and national sporting organisations. We seek to encourage LGBTIQ+ people (as well as their allies, friends and families) to participate and engage in sport and exercise by providing structured opportunities and pathways for them to do so. Engagement is not limited to just actively participating in sport; the physical, mental and social benefits of sport should be experienced by active participants, volunteers, coaches and officials.
For anyone who ever thought there was no place for them in sporting environments, we are here to show you there is.
James Lolicato
Co-Founder
Our aims and objectives.
Increase and improve knowledge and understanding of LGBTIQ+ communities in the Sport and Recreation sector
Re-engaging and introducing LGBTIQ+ communities into sport and recreation
Connecting and recognising communities and stakeholders through celebratory events and promotions
Our values.
empathy.
integrity.
boldness.
courage.
collaboration.
Meet the team.
Christine
Granger
Chief Executive Officer
She/Her/Hers
Christine is the CEO of Proud 2 Play. She has a wealth of experience and knowledge of working in the sporting, not for profit, and government sectors across different continents. With a passion for sport development, Christine has spent most of her career working with marginalised communities. She has spent time working with Bushmen and street vendors for the Big Issue Namibia, at risk youth whilst coordinating the Street Games in Liverpool, England, and has worked across the inclusion sector in Australia with the Centre for Multicultural Youth and most recently in local government in an inclusion and participation role.
Ryan
Storr
Project Manager
He/Him/His
Ryan is the Co-Founder of Proud 2 Play inc. He completed his PhD from Victoria University in Melbourne in 2017, and his thesis explored how community sport volunteers engage with diversity work. He is a lecturer and Academic Course Advisor at Western Sydney University, and his research focuses on diversity within sport, with a specific focus on LGBTI+ inclusion in sport. He has led numerous research projects over the past five years, and these have included evaluations and projects which have explored how Australian sports organisations enact and engage with LGBTI+ inclusion.
Kade Matthews
Community Development Officer
He/Him/His
Kade is passionate about our clubs and LGBTIQ+ sporting community. An avid Ice Hockey player, he founded Melbourne's Southern Lights Ice Hockey Club and Australian LGBT Ice Hockey. Kade believes in the positive physical and mental health outcomes that sport and recreation can provide and wants to help sporting organisations engage the community. If you're wanting support with your club or association, want to volunteer or just want advice about anything LGBTIQ+ sport, get in contact. Previous to Proud 2 Play, Kade worked in IT, providing consulting services to non-profits and charities.
Our board.
Alan
White
President
He/Him/His
Alan is passionate about building communities to support the alleviation of some of society’s greatest challenges, working across research, advocacy, education and humanitarian response to support systemic change. Currently, he is Executive Director at the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre, Australia’s largest aid and advocacy organisation that supports refugees, and previously he has worked at Oxfam Australia, the Mater Hospital network and in University advancement.
As a proud fundraiser by practice, Alan has spent 10 years developing enterprise-wide strategy, fundraising, marketing and partnership programs that enable organisations to meet their mission. Alan is a Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) the only globally recognized fundraising accreditation, sits on the Fundraising Institute Board of Directors, on the board of the Melbourne Queer Film Festival and the Fundraising, Advocacy & Brand sub-board of Plan International.
As far as sport and recreation goes – Alan’s a keen tennis player, netballer and once gave rugby a go with LGBTQI+ leaders, the Brisbane Hustlers and is passionate about the intersectionality of sport, and human rights, for all through the lens of diversity, equity and inclusion.
Julie
Ryan
General Board Member
She/Her/Hers
Julie has had a lifelong involvement in sport. Competing in a wide variety of sports, ranging from Athletics to Sailing, Vigoro to Volleyball but her first love was and remains, the world game, football. Her playing career started in NSW in 1979. Since then she has been involved in all aspects of the game as an administrator, board member at club level, FV Standing Committee Member, referee, active tragic football spectator, coach and Football Victoria coach educator.
Julie holds a BAppSc in Coaching and Sport Administration as well as a Diploma in Business (Governance). She is also a director for Women’s Football advocacy group Women Onside.
In her ‘other’ life, Julie works in the Cards Payment industry and has over 20 years experience in service delivery and project management. Julie is an avid believer that sport forms an integral part of health and wellbeing, and as such sport needs to be diverse and inclusive for all of society, she is very pleased to be working to support the aims of Proud 2 Play.
Julie is currently a goal keeper coach for community football and nowhere near fit enough to be an asset to her futsal team mates.
Andy Brennan
Secretary
He/Him/His
Andy has been involved with football since his junior days, playing in Tasmania with South Hobart. Soon after his debut in senior football in Tasmania, Andy made the jump to Victoria, where after 6 months with South Melbourne, he was asked to trial and sign with Newcastle Jets in the A- League. Since his stint in the A- League, Andy has moved back to Melbourne and is currently playing with Hume City in the NPL along with studying psychology at Deakin University.
In May 2019, working closely with the PFA, Andy made his sexuality public, stating in an Instagram post that he was gay. Since his announcement, Andy has looked to visibly promote inclusivity and diversity in sport, by being open about the struggles of being gay and playing professional sport in a masculine environment. Working with Proud 2 Play, Andy has a strong desire to continue to support the LGBTI+ community, making sport more inclusive for all.
Archie Beetle
General Board Member
They/Them/Theirs
Archie Beetle (they/them) is a queer, non-binary advocate and educator with over 13 years’ experience working in the LGBTIQA+ sector.
Archie is the Founder and Director of Queer Town, creating LGBTIQA+ content and delivering inclusivity training in workplaces, schools and events across the country. As a 16 year old, Archie co-led the establishment of one of Australia’s first school-based LGBTIQA+ support groups at Melbourne High School and since then they have led the development of LGBTIQA+ advisory boards at Melbourne Museum, the Immigration Museum and Scienceworks.
Archie's passion for exercise and trans rights in sport is what led them to joining Proud2Play's board in 2021.
Helen Tyrikos
Treasurer
She/Her/Hers
Helen Tyrikos is a passionate Sports Administrator that has experience in all areas of football from grassroots to the national level. Helen has developed programs and curriculum that have enabled the participation of women and girls across all areas of the game including players, coaches, referees, administrators and board members. She is well known in the football community and wider sport community as an advocate of women in sport.
Her recent experience working in the Diversity and Inclusion space at Football Victoria and her relationships with Government Agencies will add to the value of the team. Helen joined the proud 2 Play Board to ensure everyone has access to the benefits that sport provides.