2024 Ambassadors

Amelia Catt (she/her)

Australian Sailing

I want to be part of the Thrive with Pride program so I can help other sailors and athletes feel supported by their sporting community. When sport is a supportive and inclusive environment, it helps the individual athlete perform to their full potential.

In sailing there is a big opportunity for education of the sailing community, which would make a real difference to LGBTI+ athletes feeling included.

Anu Francis (she/her)

Triathlon Australia

I am excited to be part of the Thrive with Pride Program because I haven't seen any LGBTIQA+ representation in my sport within Australia, which makes me feel as though I don't fully belong. I hope that I can utilise my lived experience as a gay athlete, and platform as a member of the Australian high-performance team, to be a positive role model to LGBTIQA+ individuals and inspire them to be proud of who they are.

I also hope to help the triathlon and broader sporting communities fully embrace their LGBTIQA+ members, as I strongly believe that sport should be accessible to all, regardless of diversity factors including sexuality, gender, and disability.

Carly Salmon (she/her)

Football Australia

Embracing my sexuality has been an extremely challenging journey, but my current sporting environment has accepted, celebrated and empowered me to become my genuine self.

I would love to become more informed about LGBTIQ+ topics, so I have the ability to promote the power of inclusion within sport. What an incredible world it would be if everyone had the confidence to accept all and be true to oneself!

Dominic Clarke (he/him)

Gymnastics Australia

I feel lucky enough and proud to be able to use my lived experience as a queer athlete to make cultural and organisational change in sport.

Through the Thrive with Pride initiative, I am so excited to continue to have the opportunity to make safe and inclusive spaces for anyone to be able to participate in their chosen sport.

Heath Thorpe (he/him)

Gymnastics Australia

After being a part of the successful inaugural year, I wanted to continue to use my platform and position as an elite athlete to help inspire, educate and direct queer inclusion in Australian sport.

Julie (Jae) Charlton (she/they)

Athletics Australia

I really wanted to be a member of the Thrive with Pride program because i want to see intersectionality displayed with pride within my sport and others. I love to see Pride celebrated across all sectors and I want to help spread that pride across sport.

Kalinda Robinson (she/her)

AusCycling

Sport should be a safe place for all. I am grateful for the opportunity through Thrive with Pride to be able to create positive change so everyone can experience the joys of Australian sport.

Katerina Paul (she/her)

Snow Australia

I am honored to continue my role as a returning ambassador for the AIS Thrive with Pride program. As a dedicated ally to the LGBTQ+ community, I am committed to fostering inclusivity within sports. I believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to participate in sports in a safe and welcoming environment.

Together, let's continue making a difference and ensuring that sports are inclusive for all.

Kaylia Stanton (she/her)

Netball Australia

I wanted to be involved in this program to help further the work I am already doing in the Diversity and Inclusion space.

I am looking forward to continuing my professional and personal learning and growing my understanding of how I can better support people in the LGBTI+ space.

Lachlan Davis (he/him)

Gymnastics Australia

Embracing diversity, inclusiveness, and positivity are values that are very important to me, both on and off the sporting field I want to encourage everyone to feel comfortable, supported and empowered in being their true selves.

Creating an inclusive environment in sport can enable growth and crucial societal change and I believe that the Thrive with Pride Program is actively taking these necessary steps forward. This societal change is an area which is close to me, and I am passionate about being in the driving seat for transformation.

Having a platform to exemplify Thrive with Pride’s values is an exciting prospect. I want to be a part of the team that educates, inspires, and celebrates inclusiveness in elite sport on both a national and international stage.

Madeline Boyle (she/her)

Archery Australia

I want to be a part of the Thrive for Pride program to support and encourage the acceptance and equality of the LGBTQI+ community.

I'm so proud and privileged to be a part of this program as I wish to share my story and be a role model for my sport and the wider community. I feel that if I had a program like this growing up, I would have felt more accepting of who I was sooner.

Matthew Mitcham (he/him)

Diving Australia

Sport should be a safe and welcoming place for everyone, regardless of age, race, religion, gender or sexuality.

Natalya Diehm (she/her)

AusCycling

As soon as I heard about the program, I knew it was something I wanted to be a part of.

I want to be the person I wish I had growing up, if I can help or resonate with someone within the LGBTQ+ community by telling my story then that's all I can ask for.

Let's all THRIVE WITH PRIDE.

Nikki Ayers (she/her)

Rowing Australia

I want to provide education and start conversations to raise awareness on the importance of inclusion within our Australian sporting communities and strategies that can be implemented by individuals and organisations that create meaningful change,

Olympia Aldersey (she/her)

Rowing Australia

I'm aware that not everyone’s experience in elite sport is as welcoming and inclusive as it should be. I believe in leaving the world in a better place than when you entered it, and I want to drive a change in elite sport in making it a safe environment for all athletes.

Everyone has a right to feel safe and welcome and to be able to focus on performance. How can an athlete be expected to perform when they are not able to bring their whole selves into their sporting environment?

My experience has taught me the value of balance, resilience, and continuous improvement, which I'm eager to share and further cultivate through the Thrive with Program in Australian sport.

Sarah Crosbee (she/her)

Paddle Australia

I wanted to be a part of the Thrive with Pride program to actively contribute to fostering inclusivity in sport and help make these spaces welcoming to all people. My participation allows me to further educate myself and help other athletes feel supported within sporting communities.

Serena Bonnell (she/her)

Bowls Australia

Sport is just the beginning and can be a vehicle for societal change. Lawn Bowls is equipped to demonstrate inclusion better than most other sports.

This program provides greater opportunities to encourage our clubs and members to embrace diversity in all its forms and proactively include all members within our community.

Past year ambassadors