St Kevin’s held their annual Pride Round last Saturday, headlined by the Grand Final rematch in the William Buck Premier Women’s competition between the SKOB Saints v Kew.
Women’s Senior Coach Tom Purcell expressed his delight and enthusiasm of the Round, saying “Saturday was a culmination of months of planning and anticipation. Watching our three women’s footy teams take the field filled me with pride and excitement and we were privileged to share the day with West Brunswick and Kew. The atmosphere on the day was simply electric with perfect blue skies and crisp autumn air, creating the ideal backdrop the day. The energy and enthusiasm were palpable, as everyone came together to celebrate unity and diversity within our community.”
In addition to three thrilling matches, St Kevin’s held a bake sale and raffle which were resounding successes, thanks to the generous support of players, friends, and family of the SKOB community. Money from the bake sale and raffle went towards Minus 18, a local youth LGBTQIA+ organisation.
Tom said, “it was heartwarming to see the community rally together, not only to enjoy a day of footy but also to contribute to a worthy cause.”
For the VAFA community, our Pride Rounds hold immense significance beyond the scoreboard. It’s about fostering a welcoming and inclusive environment where every player feels accepted and valued for who they are. As we reflect on the success of the day, it’s clear that the spirit of unity and acceptance will continue to thrive within the SKOB Saints family and VAFA community.”
The values of respect, inclusion, diversity, and acceptance featured heavily as the foundation for SKOB’s Pride Round, aligning so fittingly with the VAFA’s core values: Respect, Integrity, Community, Inclusion.
The genesis of Laura Kane’s journey to become one of footy’s most influential administrators can be traced back to her joining the VAFA’s Melbourne Uni women’s team as a 12-year-old.
“For many years, we dared to dream about being a serious footy club. We’ve managed to gain a different type of respect – the worthiness of being a ‘proper club’
The Premier Thirds competition delivered arguably the biggest upset of the entire VAFA season, with St Kevin’s claiming the flag in a 5-point thriller over Old Xaverians, who had finished
