Humphries says Pride Round continues to evolve

Adelaide 36ers star centre Isaac Humphries said this year’s NBL Champion Pride Round is growing the community awareness both on and off the court.

The NBL Champion Pride Round is set to return for its third season, with the NBL further emphasising inclusivity and celebrating diversity within basketball.

 “It means a lot to me and the LGBTQ+ community to see the NBL’s Champion Pride Round continue to thrive as it enters its third year,” Humphries said.

 “When I made my decision to come out, I did so not only to live a life out of hiding, but also to help make basketball a safe, welcoming, and inclusive space for the community.

“As this round continues to evolve, I hope everyone is feeling more comfortable to be themselves around the sport.

 “It can’t be underestimated how important active allyship is to everyone in the community. That allyship and support helps generate safer environments for everyone, and it’s paramount that we all continue on this journey.

 “I’m very proud to play in a league that continues to publicly celebrate and support my community.

“The representation and active allyship is greatly appreciated, especially in environments that previously haven’t always felt the most welcoming."

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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.

The most recent Pride in Sport Survey, using data collected from 32 organisations across 26 sports, showcased the positive impact of visible and active allies has grown by 43 per cent over the past three years, but there is still work to be done.

 "The NBL Champion Pride Round is an incredible opportunity for basketball in Australia to help unite communities, inspire individuals, and foster a sense of belonging,” Beau Newell, National Program Manager at Pride in Sport, said.

 “LGBTQ inclusion in sport not only enriches the overall experience for everyone involved, but also strengthens our communities and the broader sense of togetherness and acceptance across the country.

 “Holding the NBL Champion Pride Round is a powerful message to Australia that everyone is welcome in sport, fans and athletes alike, no matter who they are.”

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.

“We’re proud to celebrate the return of NBL Champion Pride Round with the NBL as the official on-court apparel sponsor,” Sarah Flynn, General Manager Champion Australia and New Zealand, said.

 “This year, we’ve explored the importance of active allyship and what it means both on and off the court. From players to spectators and the broader sporting community, together, we champion pride.”

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.

 “Everyone is welcome at the NBL, and we pride ourselves on being a place where people can feel comfortable being themselves,” NBL CEO, David Stevenson, said.

“The NBL Champion Pride Round has become an important and special part of our season, and the strong celebration and visible support of Pride emphasises our commitment to making the NBL a safe, healthy, and accessible environment for all.

“There are so many fantastic role models in the community, with past and present NBL stars such as Trevor Torrance and Isaac Humphries providing great inspiration and courage to us all through their stories.”