Western Bulldogs defender Issy Grant says she is proud of her Club for being one of the pioneers of the now league-wide Pride Round.
Speaking the AFLW’s Pride Round launch at Mission Whitten Oval on Monday, Grant said being one of the first clubs to establish a Pride Game was not lost on her.
“I think being involved in the inaugural Pride Game against Carlton, and having that support from the Bulldogs from the get-go (is something) we are really proud of,” she said.
“Our Pride Group here at the Bulldogs is probably the loudest – they’re sitting in the goal-square screaming their hearts out every time we kick a goal.
“They are always supporting us, so I think it’s really important to throw our support back towards them and everything that they give to us.
Grant was one of a handful of players that were involved in the design of this year’s Pride guernsey, which again features the colours of the Transgender Pride Flag alongside other additions.
She said being brave not only in their design, but in the push for inclusion and diversity, was important.
“(Our Pride Group) are so important to us. They help us design the jumpers and came up with the incredible idea of using our Bulldogs colours to represent the Transgender community, “she said.
“Something that we value – not just as a club, but as a playing group too – is bravery. Being one of the first clubs to put their hand up and support something like a (Pride Game) – that’s brave.
“It’s a similar link to the LGBTQIA+ community, in that being yourself and being your true identity – that’s hard, that’s brave.
“The way that we’ve designed our jumpers – we haven’t hidden in the background. We’ve been pretty bold with our colour choices and everything, which I think sort of reflects that community and is something that we value really highly as a Club.”
