Making Sport a Place for Everyone: A Panel Discussion
Description
Making Sport a Place for Everyone: A Panel Discussion
Sport has the power to bring people together, create meaningful connections, and foster a strong sense of belonging. Yet for many LGBTIQA+ people, sport has not always felt safe, welcoming, or inclusive.
Join the Pride Centre for an inspiring and thought-provoking conversation with representatives from three major sporting organisations as we explore what it takes to make sport a place for everyone.
This panel discussion will examine:
Creating genuinely inclusive sporting environments
Building a sense of belonging for athletes, staff, volunteers and spectators
The challenges and opportunities facing LGBTIQA+ people in sport
The role of allies, leaders and sporting organisations in driving inclusion
Tackling homophobia, transphobia and discrimination
Creating lasting cultural change across sport
Through conversation and shared experiences, our panellists will discuss the progress being made across Tennis, Netball and Football, the work that still lies ahead, and their vision for a more inclusive future in Australian sport.
Whether you're involved in sport, passionate about inclusion, or simply interested in learning more, we welcome you to be part of the conversation.
Lineup
Host - Chris from GayFL
Chris is a proud queer man, lifelong AFL fan, passionate Essendon supporter and advocate for creating a more inclusive sporting community. Growing up in South Australia, Chris developed his love of Australian football watching the SANFL, before South Australia entered the national competition. His passion for the game has continued throughout his life, with a love of both the men’s and women’s competitions and the community and culture that surrounds football. Today, Chris is helping create the space he believes everyone should have in the game. As co-host of GayFL – A Queer Footy Show on JOY 94.9, Chris brings his passion for football and LGBTQIA+ inclusion together, providing a platform to celebrate queer fans, challenge discrimination and have conversations about making football a game where everyone can see themselves. In 2026, GayFL – A Queer Footy Show was named a finalist in the Community Broadcasting Association of Australia Awards, recognising the program’s contribution to inclusion, representation and community through sport. Through GayFL and his work within the broader sporting community, Chris is passionate about using football as a vehicle for connection and change. He believes the game is at its best when people can show up as themselves, feel represented and know they have a place within it.
Host - Brendon from GayFL
Brendan Maher is a proud queer man, lifelong Essendon supporter and passionate advocate for creating a more inclusive sporting community. A member of the Essendon cheer squad as a child, Brendan grew up loving both the men’s and women’s game. As a teenager, however, he no longer felt that AFL was a place where he belonged and ultimately stepped away from the sport. Today, Brendan has found his way back to the game he loves and is helping create the space he once needed. As co-host of GayFL – A Queer Footy Show on JOY 94.9, Brendan uses his voice and passion for football to celebrate LGBTQIA+ fans, challenge discrimination and champion the idea that footy truly is for everyone. In 2026, GayFL was named a Community Broadcasting Association of Australia Awards finalist, recognising the show’s contribution to inclusion, representation and community through sport. Brendan is proud to be part of a growing community working to make sport a place where everyone can feel welcome, represented and that they belong.
Tanya Gamble - Netball Victoria
Tanya Gamble is Head of Corporate Social Responsibility at Netball Victoria bringing extensive experience across the social welfare and sporting sectors. Throughout her career, Tanya has been passionate about creating positive social impact and fostering inclusive environments where individuals from all backgrounds feel welcomed, valued and empowered to participate in sport. In her role at Netball Victoria, Tanya leads strategic initiatives focused on diversity, equity, inclusion and community engagement. She works closely with stakeholders across the sport and broader community to develop programs, partnerships and policies that strengthen access to netball and promote meaningful participation for people of all ages, abilities, cultures, genders and backgrounds. Tanya has helped lead Netball Victoria’s commitment to LGBTQ+ inclusion, driving initiatives that resulted in the organisation being recognised in 2026 with a Platinum Award in the Pride in Sport Index.
Tennis Australia - Irena Farinacci
As a queer, deaf woman with profound hearing loss, Irena is passionate about creating a world where everyone has the opportunity to participate, belong and thrive without barriers. Drawing on her lived experience, she has dedicated her career to advancing inclusion, accessibility and belonging through sport. Currently, Irena is the Inclusion and Diversity Lead – LGBTQIA+ at Tennis Australia, where she has led and delivered a range of initiatives that help make tennis more inclusive and welcoming for all. With a Diploma in Management and extensive experience in strategic development, Irena enjoys bringing people together to solve complex challenges, think creatively and turn ideas into meaningful action. Growing up, Irena was actively involved in the deaf and hard of hearing community through Deaf Sports Australia, Deaf Sports Recreation Victoria, Deaf Basketball Victoria and Deaf Basketball Australia. These experiences played a significant role in shaping who she is today—instilling resilience, a strong sense of community and a lifelong commitment to creating inclusive environments where everyone feels they belong. She also proudly represented Australia in the Australian Deaf Women’s Basketball Team at the 1997 and 2005 Deaflympic Games, and 2007 World Deaf Basketball Championships.
Football Victoria - Gemma Groenewegen
Gemma is the Coordinator – Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at Football Victoria. She is passionate about the value of sport as a driver of social change and inclusion. With a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Sport Management, she is able to bring a DEI lens to all her work across football. At Football Victoria, she supports the delivery of initiatives that help make football more equitable, accessible and welcoming for LGBTQIA+ people, women & girls, First Nations, multicultural groups and people with a disability. Her role involves coordinating DEI projects, events and initiatives, working with community partners and stakeholders, and supporting the development of resources and communications that promote inclusion across Victorian football.
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