With Pride Roud taking centre stage on Sunday when the NSW Swifts host the Queensland Firebirds in Round 4 of Suncorp Super Netball, the Club this week welcomed former Australian Olympian Dominic Clarke who spoke to the playing group about his journey as a gay athlete.
Clarke, who represented Australia in gymnastics at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, chatted with the team about the challenges he faced and the support networks which helped him reach the world’s biggest sporting spectacle.
Also hugely respected performer with Cirque du Soleil, Clarke placed fourth in both the synchronised and double mini trampoline events in Japan and has since used his platform as an elite athlete to promote inclusivity across all sports.
This weekend, with the continued support of QBE Insurance, the Swifts will turn Ken Rosewall Arena into a Rainbow Bowl with the colours of the Progressive Flag.
“I talked to the Swifts about my journey as a gymnast, my pathway to the Olympics, but also what that was like for me being a gay athlete,” he said.
“So, we had some conversations about what that journey looked like for me, how I overcame certain challenges.
“I did a Q&A asking me about what I would tell my younger self and just really talking through that journey and giving them a better understanding of what that experience can be like for an LGBTQ+ individual playing sport, an insight that you might not see or understand, but why we should be creating those safe spaces to make people feel like they can be themselves.”
Swifts attacker Sophie Fawns said hearing from athletes like Clarke was a vital part of the Swifts’ annual Pride Round.
“I think he gave some great insights into what it is to be a queer athlete,” she said.
“I think to hear his side of the story on how difficult it can be and how everyone is sort of on their own journey and how we can best support athletes and people in general who are finding themselves and finding more about who they are and who they want to be.”
Clarke said initiatives such as a Rainbow Bowl and educations sessions were clear demonstrations of sport clubs’ commitment to being safe and inclusive spaces for all.
“I think with the initiatives where people are doing Pride Rounds and Pride Bowls - and everything that they're doing in netball at the moment and all the other sports - they're showing visibility.
“They're highlighting amazing stories and amazing LGBTQ+ athletes that are in these sports, and showing that the allies that are in these sports.
“The players (are) really wanting to create change and safe spaces and show their support for not just the LGBTQ community but all communities, that their sport is inclusive and they want everyone to come and play and have fun.”
Swifts Assistant Coach Dylan Nexhip highlighted the Swifts’ place as role models in wider society, and netball’s place in creating a better, more inclusive environment.
“I thought Dom coming in was incredible, and for him to share his story and not only as an athlete but as a queer athlete as well, and some of what he was able to overcome.
"For him to go on and succeed like he did was incredible. The players were so engaged throughout that whole conversation and that whole talk.
“And for them to understand their role in in terms of being an inclusive team, an inclusive sport, and for them to understand the part that they can play in and helping people make people feel comfortable within a space.
“Dom made a really good point about the way that he was able to be made feel comfortable in his space, and it allowed him to thrive as a person and as an athlete. We are doing the same thing in netball.”
