The Pride Ambassador position was introduced by MUSC in early 2020, with a vision to expand the Club’s inclusive practices. For Cat, applying for the position was an easy choice, saying that the Club’s welcoming attitude had ignited a passion in her to continue to provide this environment for others.
“Pride pervades every aspect of my life in terms of identity, experience and most importantly, in creating connections with others. It so happens that, MU sport is one of the first spaces where I found myself able to connect with others over the nuances of being queer.”
Grounded in a passion to “celebrate what is extrinsically, wonderful diversity in human expression, and intrinsically, a space to heal, explore and feel at home in,” Cat has championed a variety of initiatives within the Club aiming promote the unique platform that MUSC can offer LGBTQI+ individuals. This has been solidified through an amendment to the MUSC Constitution to recognise and make space for gender-diverse people on the Club’s Board, proposed and advocated for by Cat.
Cat championed the Club’s All Gender Game series that had been developed by the MUSC community to provide playing opportunities for gender-diverse athletes. Cat assisted fellow Committee members, Anne Leonidas, Eden Littrel and Karoline Bernacki in obtaining almost $3500 in funding from the State Government ‘Change Our Game’ initiative. MUSC engaged many external stakeholders, including Football Federation Victoria and local LGBTQI+ service agencies, which allowed the event to provide a safe space for the wider gender-diverse community.
“We had participants at the games share their experience of trauma in team sports settings and how All Gender Games was a stepping stone in their healing and that is an impact beyond what I could ever hope for.” Cat says.
Not only has Cat made a huge impact on MUSC, but she has been able to share her knowledge and experience as a queer athlete with the broader sporting community. Cat was part of a panel at the 2020 Proud to Play Wear it Purple Day in August, before going on to work with MU Sport’s Leadership Coordinator, Bridgid Junot, and Pride Coordinator, Chris Bunting, at the Pride in Practice Conference in November. Cat says that a highlight of presenting at the conference was learning from fellow leaders in the area.
“I saw lots of other presenters there too with amazing ideas and I hope that we are able to make our ideas reality with systematic support from organisations that are interested in genuine change”
Further, Cat has driven the Club’s pride presence on social media, including producing the Pride interview series, which explored the experience of LGBTQI+ sportspeople. The series featured MUSC members, university educators, and athletes from different sports, who spoke on a variety of topics.
Cat has gone above and beyond in her role as Pride Ambassador, which saw her gain a nomination at the 2020 Pride in Sport awards in the ‘Out Role Model of the Year’ category. In putting forward the nomination, MU Sport Leadership Coordinator, Bridgid Junot identified Cat as an emerging leader.
“Over the past 12 months Cat has positioned themselves as the driving force and LGBT ‘expert’ on inclusive strategies for their club. “Watch this space!” says Junot.