Sydney FC will team up with amongst 200,000 Australians in wearing #RainbowLaces during the Rainbow Round of Sport from April 6-9.
The #RainbowLaces campaign is conducted annually by Pride in Sport, a sporting inclusion program for national and state sporting organisations and clubs.
The aim is to bring the issues around LGBTI prejudice in sport to the attention of the broader community.
“As a player, the only thing that matters is what happens on the field,” said Sky Blues defender Alex Wilkinson who will don the laces.
“The same goes for people in the stands, as well as everyone else involved in putting a game together, so as far as I’m concerned, there’s just no place for any form of LGBTI prejudice in sport.
“This weekend, I’m wearing Rainbow Laces because I don’t want anyone on or off the field to be prevented from enjoying our beautiful game.”
The campaign is supported by SKINS, the performance sportswear brand, and Dentons Lawyers.
The extent of LGBTI prejudice in sport was evident in a 2015 global study entitled Out on the Fields which showed that 80% of all respondents and 82% of LGB respondents had witnessed or experienced homophobia in sport, and 73% believed that youth team sport was not safe and welcoming for LGB people.
Sydney FC will join fellow professional clubs including North Queensland Cowboys, Penrith Panthers, Essendon Bombers, GWS Giants, Western Sydney Wanderers and ACT Brumbies in wearing #RainbowLaces during the Rainbow Round of Sport.
Sydney FC travel to face Wellington Phoenix on Saturday 8 April (kick off 5:35pm AEST). Catch the match live on Fox Sports or follow @SydneyFC on Twitter for updates.
Sydney FC take on the Newcastle Jets in their final home game of the season at Allianz Stadium on Saturday 15 April! Be there to see your Sky Blue presented with the Hyundai A-League 2016/17 Premiers Plate!!!
