UWA Sport has been recognised with the highest award for its commitment to advancing LGBTQ+ inclusion within sport and the wider community.

It was awarded Sporting Organisation of the Year and one of six organisations recognised as Platinum Tier at the 2026 Australian Pride in Sport Awards held in Melbourne last month.

Launched in 2016, Pride in Sport is Australia’s leading program dedicated to enhancing LGBTQIA+ inclusion in the sporting community.

Image: Inclusion coordinator Reid Smith, Senior Manager for Inclusion Kristina Mitsikas and Aquatics Manager Kirsty Fraser. 

Kristina Mitsikas, Senior Manager for Inclusion at UWA Sport, said while the team was hoping for Platinum, it was not expecting to be named Organisation of the Year.

“I would like to thank everyone who has actively contributed to our LGBTQIA+ inclusion strategy during the past five years,” Ms Mitsikas said.

“These awards are a true reflection of the deliberate, meaningful inclusive actions we strive to embed daily, for LGBTQIA+ community – visibility matters, being heard matters, allyship matters, inclusion matters.”

Being a Pride in Sport member involves changing practices and working towards a more inclusive, safe and healthy sporting environment for people of diverse sexualities and genders.

Jake Wilkins, General Manger UWA Sport said being named Pride in Sport Organisation of the Year was a strong endorsement of UWA Sport’s commitment to advancing LGBTQIA+ inclusion across all aspects of its operations.

“It reflects the meaningful impact of our people, policies and programs in creating safe, welcoming environments where diversity is celebrated and everyone feels a genuine sense of belonging,” Mr Wilkins said.

“Being recognised nationally, alongside some of Australia’s leading sporting organisations, reinforces our journey to date and the deliberate strategic focus that has positioned us as a sector leader in LGBTQIA+ inclusion.”

Fiona McAuliffe, Director Student Life and Community, said being named Pride in Sport Organisation of the Year was a powerful reflection of the inclusive, safe and supportive environment Student Life and Community strived to create for all UWA students.

“This national recognition highlights the role sport can play in helping students feel a sense of belonging, support their wellbeing and empower our students to thrive throughout their university journey,” Mrs McAuliffe said.

“It reinforces our commitment to an enriched, inclusive student experience and to building a vibrant and connected campus community.”

Pride in Sport was founded by ACON Health and is the only sporting inclusion program specifically designed to assist sporting organisations with the inclusion of the LGBTQIA+ community.

The 2026 awards honoured a decade of progress and celebrated the results of the Pride in Sport Index – the national benchmark on LGBTQIA+ inclusion in Australian sport.