LGBTIQ+

The Melbourne Rebels are proud to support Rugby Victoria through their Pride in Sport and Pride Cup initiatives. In 2021, the Melbourne Unicorns and Melbourne University played community Rugby’s inaugural Pride Match, a first in world Rugby at a community level. 

The LGBTQ community is an important part of the Melbourne Rugby Club, who have hosted the Melbourne Chargers team since 2012. The Melbourne Chargers formed in 2009 with the purpose of creating a rugby team where new players could learn the game in an accepting environment and players who had left the sport because of their sexuality could play openly.

Pride games are held to raise awareness of the discrimination that LGBTQ people experience in sport. Research has found homophobic banter and jokes that remain common in sport is a key factor in high rates of suicide for LGBTQ kids (3-5 times higher). A global study by the World Health Organisation found that girls as young as 10 years of age were avoiding playing traditionally male-dominated sports like rugby, cricket, or AFL because they didn't want to be stereotyped as a lesbian.

To prove that Rugby is truly a game for all, the Melbourne Rebels will be supporting professional and community Rugby to be inclusive for all communities.