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So much for inclusiveness
wwos.nine.com.au
EXCLUSIVE: NRL excluded from Mardi Gras as Manly pride jersey saga bites again
By The Mole - 5 hours ago
The NRL has been excluded from this year's Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade.
The decision to bar the NRL is believed to be a direct consequence of the massive controversy caused by Manly's decision to wear a Pride jumper last season.
The Sea Eagles' move split both fans and players, with seven players boycotting the game against the Roosters that weekend late in the 2023 season.
Organisers of the Mardi Gras played down the NRL's exclusion after many years, claiming they had been inundated with applicants to be involved in the event's 45th year in 2023
NRL float for the 2017 Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade. (Getty)
"Because of this milestone year, we received a phenomenal number of parade applications, far exceeding our total capacity," organisers said in a prepared statement.
"To ensure the safety and security of all our participants and spectators, we must adhere to strict limits on numbers of both people and vehicles involved in the event.
"While we wish we could open our arms to all applications, demand for this year was so high that we only had capacity to accept 70 per cent of the total applications we received.
"When the number of applications exceeds our capacity, Mardi Gras' Parade Curatorial Committee, made up of diverse representatives from our LGBTQIA+ communities, assess all entries using a clear set of selection criteria.
"Priority for parade selection always goes to LGBTQIA+ groups. The selection criteria also evaluates strong creative concepts with the ability to produce and deliver them, as well as a consideration of their previous parade history.
"In total there will be a record 207 groups represented in the 2023 Mardi Gras parade, sharing a stunning array of creative concepts from all walks of LGBTQIA+ life."
A source told WWOS that many other sporting groups will be invited, "but not the NRL".
The NRL confirmed that its application to participate in this year's parade had been rejected.
Marty Taupau rocking Manly's pride jersey. (Getty)
"The NRL has proudly participated in the Mardi Gras for seven years and applied to participate in the 2023 event having been successful with our 2022 application," a statement sent to Wide World of Sports by the NRL said.
"The NRL was informed on 12 September 2022 that we were unsuccessful in our application to participate in the 2023 Parade.
"The NRL is committed to creating an environment of respect, equality, and inclusiveness, ensuring everyone has 'Pride in League'. 'Pride in League' represents the pride we have in our game and its people, the pride we have in the diverse backgrounds that makes up the rugby league community, and the pride we have in our ability to rise to the occasion and support our teammates.
"The NRL's involvement in the Mardi Gras does not change its commitment to creating an inclusive sport and specifically to the LGBTQIA+ community.
"We continue to work alongside our partners, including Pride In Sport, to assess ourselves against best practice and build an inclusive environment for people with diverse sexualities and genders in our sport.
"The NRL received Bronze Award at the 2022 Pride In Sport Awards, recognising our support of the community."
Mardi Gras excludes NRL over pride jersey saga
Manly controversy comes back to bite code
EXCLUSIVE: NRL excluded from Mardi Gras as Manly pride jersey saga bites again
By The Mole - 5 hours ago
The NRL has been excluded from this year's Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade.
The decision to bar the NRL is believed to be a direct consequence of the massive controversy caused by Manly's decision to wear a Pride jumper last season.
The Sea Eagles' move split both fans and players, with seven players boycotting the game against the Roosters that weekend late in the 2023 season.
Organisers of the Mardi Gras played down the NRL's exclusion after many years, claiming they had been inundated with applicants to be involved in the event's 45th year in 2023
NRL float for the 2017 Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade. (Getty)
"Because of this milestone year, we received a phenomenal number of parade applications, far exceeding our total capacity," organisers said in a prepared statement.
"To ensure the safety and security of all our participants and spectators, we must adhere to strict limits on numbers of both people and vehicles involved in the event.
"While we wish we could open our arms to all applications, demand for this year was so high that we only had capacity to accept 70 per cent of the total applications we received.
"When the number of applications exceeds our capacity, Mardi Gras' Parade Curatorial Committee, made up of diverse representatives from our LGBTQIA+ communities, assess all entries using a clear set of selection criteria.
"Priority for parade selection always goes to LGBTQIA+ groups. The selection criteria also evaluates strong creative concepts with the ability to produce and deliver them, as well as a consideration of their previous parade history.
"In total there will be a record 207 groups represented in the 2023 Mardi Gras parade, sharing a stunning array of creative concepts from all walks of LGBTQIA+ life."
A source told WWOS that many other sporting groups will be invited, "but not the NRL".
The NRL confirmed that its application to participate in this year's parade had been rejected.
Marty Taupau rocking Manly's pride jersey. (Getty)
"The NRL has proudly participated in the Mardi Gras for seven years and applied to participate in the 2023 event having been successful with our 2022 application," a statement sent to Wide World of Sports by the NRL said.
"The NRL was informed on 12 September 2022 that we were unsuccessful in our application to participate in the 2023 Parade.
"The NRL is committed to creating an environment of respect, equality, and inclusiveness, ensuring everyone has 'Pride in League'. 'Pride in League' represents the pride we have in our game and its people, the pride we have in the diverse backgrounds that makes up the rugby league community, and the pride we have in our ability to rise to the occasion and support our teammates.
"The NRL's involvement in the Mardi Gras does not change its commitment to creating an inclusive sport and specifically to the LGBTQIA+ community.
"We continue to work alongside our partners, including Pride In Sport, to assess ourselves against best practice and build an inclusive environment for people with diverse sexualities and genders in our sport.
"The NRL received Bronze Award at the 2022 Pride In Sport Awards, recognising our support of the community."
