Pride in hockey set for celebration at Lemnos

Pride in hockey will be celebrated in a festival of fun this weekend, with Hockey WA’s Pride Round to be highlighted in a showcase event set to hit Lemnos Turf on Saturday 10 June. 

Ran in partnership with Hockey Australia, Perth Pythons Hockey Club, and Westside Wolves Hockey Club, the Pride Round event at Lemnos Turf will feature Premier League stars, a range of action, and entertainment and fun for the whole family. 

The highlight of the event will be the Pride Cup, with the men’s and women’s Westside Wolves and University of Western Australia Premier League sides set to clash in a high-octane double-header showcase, with bragging rights and trophies on the line. 

The Perth Pythons Hockey Club will also showcase the inclusiveness of hockey in a free Come & Try Hockey session, open to people of all backgrounds to participate in and enjoy the sport of hockey. 

This year, an exhibition match between the Perth Pythons and an All-Stars Invitational Team will also provide added fun and games in-between the Premier League fixtures. 

Hockey WA continues to showcase hockey as an inclusive sport for all, with recent acknowledgement through a Bronze Level Certification from Pride in Sport Australia. 

“It is really exciting to hold another Pride Round event this year in celebration of Pride Month which falls across all of June,” Hockey WA CEO Fabian Ross said. 

“Hockey truly is one of the most inclusive sports – anyone can pick up a stick regardless of their background, which is a unique selling point for the sport. 

“We are really proud as a sport to be able to showcase this through events such as this and our recent achievement in receiving a Bronze Level Certification from Pride in Sport Australia – it's fantastic recognition of all the great work being done in hockey in the LGBTIQ+ space.” 

Perth Pythons player Anna Cook shared her delight in hockey’s ability to shine as an inclusive sport. 

“From my experience hockey has always been an inclusive sport,” Cook said. 

“Of course other peoples' experiences may differ, but generally hockey as a community is always amazing.  

“It's great having a team like the Perth Pythons to celebrate Pride as there will be people out there who may not be able to do so themselves, and I feel it is important that people see there are places and spaces where people can celebrate.” 

Sport, and in particular hockey, can be an outlet for many, with the Pride match showcasing a strong sense of community that anyone can dive into. 

“I feel, perhaps, because of experiences growing up, or the news stories that come about from professional teams, that people who aren't involved in sport don't see sport as having the potential to be inclusive,” Cook said. 

“Sport can be and is inclusive, and I see hockey as one of the most inclusive sports around.  

“Hopefully the Pride Round empowers those who are scared to play in fear of rejection for who they are.  

“Having the Perth Pythons as a club allows for people who have never played the sport before, or maybe any sport ever, to come along and get involved in an easy going, easily accessible way.  

“It’s going to be an amazing day and we can’t wait to showcase that this Pride Round.” 
 

Hockey WA Pride Round @ Lemnos Turf 

WHEN: Saturday 10 June 

WHERE: Lemnos Turf, Shenton College, Perth WA 

TIME: 3pm-7pm 

Match and Event Schedule  

• 3.30pm Women’s Premier 1, Wolves vs UWA  

• 5.00pm Women’s Pride Match Presentation 

• 5.00pm – 5.20pm Exhibition Match- Perth Pythons vs Invitation All-Stars 

• 5.30pm Men’s Premier 1, Wolves vs UWA 

• 7.00pm Men’s Pride Match Presentation  

Event Activations (3.00pm-6.00pm)  

• Come and Try Activation skills presented by the Perth Pythons Hockey Club to be run on the half field at Lemnos Turf 

• Drag Queen Cougar Morrison as MC 

• Fundraising barbecue, run by the Perth Pythons and Westside Wolves raising funds for the WA Pride Community, and drink specials  

• Face painting (2.45pm-4.45pm)  

• Community Stalls including Pride WA, Perth Pythons, ECU Queer Collective and more