United proud to participate in Champion Pride Round

Melbourne United is proud to once again be a part of the NBL’s annual Champion Pride Round.

Now in its third season, the NBL Champion Pride Round is a collaborative partnership between the NBL, Champion, Pride in Sport and the Queer Sporting Alliance (QSA), which aims to show meaningful allyship and improve the understanding of the barriers impacting the LGBTQ+ community in sport.

Head Coach Dean Vickerman touched on the importance of the Champion Pride Round and inclusion when speaking on JOY 94.9 in the lead up to the round.

“As a club, (inclusion) is one of our values and I think the NBL has done a really good job of getting around to all the clubs and giving an education session… As a club, we’re supporters (of Pride Round),” he said.

Champion, the naming rights sponsor since the inaugural NBL Champion Pride Round, will have its Champion Pride Progress flag x ‘C’ logo on the court for all NBL Champion Pride Round games, while players have the choice to wear jerseys featuring the same logo. 

Players, coaches, and staff have participated in their third year of Pride in Sport training, with the theme of this year’s training being The Power of Being an Active Ally. 

The sessions aim to build awareness of the challenges faced by LGBTQ+ athletes in sport and understand the power of language to create inclusive cultures.

United will celebrate Pride Round during our Round 19 matchup against the Tasmania JackJumpers at John Cain Arena from 8pm on February 1.

The gameday will feature a number of special activations around the arena, including a live broadcast from JOY FM.

Tickets are available here, and Pride Round merchandise can be purchased here.