By Luke Voogt
Anglesea’s newly-formed women’s side will take on Torquay for the inaugural Surf Coast IDAHOBIT Cup on Friday night.
“We’re looking forward to it,” Anglesea Football and Netball Club president Jamie Mackenzie said.
“I think it’s a fantastic opportunity for girls from both clubs.”
Surf Coast Shire Council has provided a perpetual trophy for the match, which both sides will contest annually to celebrate International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexism and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT) on May 17.
“This is an opportunity to showcase respect, inclusion and diversity at the club,” Mackenzie said.
“I know both Anglesea and Torquay feel strongly about these principals.
“Sport provides opportunities for people of all backgrounds to be involved. We’re not going to be much of a club if we’re not inclusive.
“We really want to make sure we’re a club where people feel included and safe.”
Mackenzie also described the trophy and Friday night’s standalone game as an excellent opportunity to promote Anglesea’s female team, which debuted in the BFNL this year.
“It’s a bit of a game-changer,” he said.
“It’s a really good opportunity to unite the club.”
The game, beginning at 7pm, marks IDAHOBIT Day on Monday.
A council representative will toss the coin before the match, with the trophy to be presented to the winning team.
This year’s theme for IDAHOBIT Day is ‘together: resisting, supporting, healing’.
“Given the overarching theme of together, being able to bring two teams together in celebration of the event was the most fitting,” organisers said.
