Please select your home edition
Edition
RS Sailing 2021 - LEADERBOARD

Australian Sailing's own Amelia Catt amongst 16 new Thrive with Pride athlete ambassadors

by Australian Sailing 17 Feb 2023 07:09 GMT

Sixteen athletes based in all corners of the country have made a commitment to help make sport a more inclusive place after being appointed as 2023 AIS Thrive with Pride ambassadors.

The program will see the rainbow athletes and allies, including former Australian Sailing Squad athlete Amelia Catt, drive LGBTIQ+ inclusion initiatives within their sporting communities over the next six months.

Now in its second year the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) has once again engaged the expertise of Pride in Sport and Proud 2 Play to work alongside the athletes to ensure they feel equipped and empowered to be role models in this space.

Catt is excited to be a part of the program, stating it's important for people within the LGBTQI+ community to feel seen and supported.

"It's great to have the support of the Australian Institute of Sport in backing high performance athletes as it is so important to have LGBTQI+ visibility within sailing and sport in general," Catt began.

"Just to know that you don't have to hide your authentic self in order to perform at a high level, that in fact, it's the opposite.

"This program is important because there are lots of people who are gender diverse and queer in our community and to see themselves represented in their sport is such a powerful thing."

Australian Diamonds player Ruby Bakewell-Doran is one of four Queensland-based athletes to be selected into the program and is passionate about creating safe sporting environments for all ages.

"For me being part of the Thrive with Pride Program is a step towards creating spaces where people really feel like they belong and are free to express themselves as they truly are."

"Authenticity should never be hindered - it's what makes us go from good to great. And as an ally, I want to help empower people in the LGBTQI+ community to bring their whole selves, in spaces that will always have their backs."

Sprint Cyclist Kalinda Robinson echoed this and is determined to improve the experience for the next generation of athletes.

"As a young athlete growing up in a rural area with discrimination highly prevalent, LGBTQ+ representation in sport gave me hope that I might one day have the courage to live my truth."

"My aspiration in putting myself forward for the Thrive with Pride Program was to provide younger athletes with more representation so that they might be brave enough to live true to their identity, and to educate others in the creation of a safe and supportive community."

More information about the program can be found here.

2023 AIS Thrive with Pride ambassadors:

  • Alyssa West, Water polo Australia, South Australian Sport Institute
  • Amelia Catt, Sailing, West Australian Institute of Sport
  • Charlotte McShane, Triathlon, NSW Institute of Sport
  • Greta Hayes, Hockey, NSW Institute of Sport
  • Heath Thorpe, Gymnastics, NSW Institute of Sport
  • Kalinda Robinson, Cycling, South Australian Sport Institute
  • Katerina Paul, Snow, Victorian Institute of Sport
  • Kaylia Stanton, Netball, Victorian Institute of Sport
  • Maria Strong, Athletics, Victorian Institute of Sport
  • Matthew Mitcham, Diving, NSW Institute of Sport
  • Natalya Diehm, BMX, Queensland Academy of Sport
  • Nikki Ayers, Rowing, ACT Academy of Sport
  • Poppy Starr Olsen, Skateboarding, NSW Institute of Sport
  • Rowie Webster, Water polo, Victorian Institute of Sport
  • Ruby Bakewell-Doran, Netball, Queensland Academy of Sport
  • Serena Bonnell, Bowls, Queensland Academy of Sport

Related Articles

Australian sailors take to Olympic waters
Regatta serves as an important test, not just for sailors, but also for organisers The Long Beach Olympic Classes Regatta is set to get begin, marking the first major combined event on the waters of the LA 2028 Olympic Games. Posted today at 7:36 am
Tough conditions test Morris
As iQFOiL World Championships wrap up The iQFOiL World Championships have drawn to a close in Aarhus, Denmark, following a week of light and unpredictable wind that tested both race officials and athletes to the limit. Posted on 11 Jul
Grae Morris Takes on the iQFOiL Worlds
Shifty conditions on the first day in Aarhus, Denmark Aarhus, Denmark is serving up everything but predictability as the iQFOiL World Championships get under way, and Australian Olympic silver medallist Grae Morris is ready to assert his place at the top of the new Olympic cycle. Posted on 6 Jul
AST and B&G extend high-performing partnership
Continuing a collaboration that has been critical to the success of the team AST has announced the renewal of its long-term partnership with B&G, the world's leading sailing navigation and instrument specialists, continuing a collaboration that has been critical to the success of the team over the past eight years. Posted on 2 Jul
Australian Sailing welcomes new CEO
Malcolm Page OAM brings a wealth of experience to the role Australian Sailing is pleased to announce the appointment of respected sports administrator and dual Olympic gold medallist Malcolm Page OAM OLY as its new Chief Executive Officer. Posted on 1 Jul
Bronze breakthrough for Liddell and Brown
Nacra 17 duo claim their first international podium at Kieler Woche Brin Liddell and Rhiannan Brown have claimed their first international podium in the Nacra 17 class, securing bronze at Kieler Woche, the third Sailing Grand Slam event of the season. Posted on 30 Jun
Aussies Break into Top 10 at Kieler Woche
Put to the test from light air to heavy breeze The first half of Kieler Woche has wrapped up in Germany, with Australian sailors putting themselves to the test in five Olympic classes. Kiel delivered a complete spectrum of conditions for athletes to sharpen their racing skills. Posted on 26 Jun
Vale Hugh Treharne OAM
The Australian sailing community is mourning the passing of one of its greatest contributors The Australian sailing community is mourning the passing of one of its greatest contributors, Hugh Treharne OAM, who died peacefully surrounded by his loving family in Sydney last night. Posted on 25 Jun
Australian Sailors ready to tackle Kiel Week
The third event within the five event Sailing Grand Slam Australia's Olympic class sailors are set to tackle Kiel Week, the third event within the five event Sailing Grand Slam, held in the north of Germany. Posted on 21 Jun
Zhik and Australian Sailing renew partnership
For a fourth Olympic cycle Zhik and Australian Sailing are proud to celebrate over a decade of partnership, one built on innovation, elite performance and podium success. Since 2013, the collaboration has helped deliver four Olympic gold medals and four silver medals. Posted on 20 Jun