Everyone belongs: Vixens celebrate Inclusion Round

The round, which was introduced as a league-wide initiative last year, promotes the inclusiveness of the sport, encouraging safe spaces for everyone regardless of age, gender, background or ability.

Through the everyone belongs ethos, year-round Netball Victoria and the Vixens champion inclusivity from grassroots through to the elite, on and off the court.

Developed last year in consultation with the Vixens playing group, the theme ‘everyone belongs in netball’ recognises and celebrates the diversity of our netball community, and our sport’s commitment to leading the way as an accessible, inclusive space for all participants.

The slogan and icon reflect Netball Victoria’s four pillars of diversity and inclusion – LGBT+, multiculturalism, people with a disability, and First Nations communities – which are represented with four colours, and will each be celebrated through various activities across match day.

The players’ warmup tops have been specially made and will feature the icon and a brief slogan, individually selected by each athlete to reflect an inclusive message that resonates with them personally. The team will also wear bibs designed in the four colours of the everyone belongs icon to represent each pillar.

Game Day Activity

• Netball Victoria will host a citizenship ceremony at John Cain Arena ahead of the match, an event that began taking place annually at a Vixens home game in 2019 with the support of RACV.
• Victoria’s All Abilities State team – 2023 Marie Little Shield gold medallists – will play a showcase on court ahead of the match.
• The fabulous Frock Hudson will perform on court pre-game.
• In The Den, the Vixens’ activity hub at the arena, fans can engage with activities hosted by Special Olympics Victoria and Queer Sporting Alliance, plus Victorian men’s netball and First Nations activities.
• An Australian Sign Language interpreter will be broadcast to the big screen throughout match day.
• The Ingles Family Sensory Room will be available, ensuring a safe and inclusive space for every fan to enjoy the match – the KultureCity-certified room is in place at every Vixens home game.

“As a playing group, we believe there shouldn’t be any barriers to doing something you love. We want every person to feel welcome and comfortable participating in our sport, and for us Inclusion Round is about celebrating our whole netball community,” said Melbourne Vixens captain, Kate Moloney.

“We stand alongside every member of our netball community to make sure every court, club, association and stadium is a welcoming space for all, no matter your background or ability, so everybody can share in the love of our sport.”

“Everyone does belong in netball, and we’re proud of the work we are doing in the community to ensure everyone feels safe and included in the sport at any level, and in any role,” said Netball Victoria General Manager, Community, Angela Banbury.

“This weekend’s Suncorp Super Netball Inclusion Round is a fantastic opportunity to showcase all it takes to be an inclusive community, and to celebrate diversity in netball on the big stage.”

“Netball Victoria exists to inspire a lifelong love of netball and one way we do this is by championing inclusiveness – initiatives like Inclusion Round are really important for growing visibility and giving everyone in our community the chance to feel celebrated.”

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