To celebrate Sydney WorldPride 2023 and football truly being for everyone, the CommBank Matildas proudly donned LGBTQIA+ Pride-coloured numbers during their Cup of Nations match against Spain tonight.
On Friday, Football Australia announced it was continuing its ambition to become the most inclusive and welcoming sport for all Australians by partnering with Sydney WorldPride 2023.
In an act of solidarity, the CommBank Matildas were given the option to wear rainbow-numbered jerseys to acknowledge and celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community. The decision to support was unanimous, with captain Sam Kerr, who also donned the Pride Progress Captains' Armband, excited to promote a message close to her heart.
"With Sydney WorldPride 2023 coming up, the option to wear rainbow numbers on our jersey was put forward and the response from the team was really good. Everyone was on board and wanted to show that we are an inclusive team," Kerr said of the decision.
"We're very accepting of everyone, no matter who they want to be, who they want to love, what religion they are, what race they are, we are all together as one. We wanted to show the community that no matter who you are, you will be accepted."
Partnering with Sydney WorldPride 2023 and wearing Pride colours for the first time in an international match, is just another step in Football Australia's journey to becoming a safe and welcoming space for all, after marching in last year's Mardi Gras parade
Kerr went on to explain that demonstrations such as these are imperative in ensuring that football, as the world game, walks the talk.
"Putting words into action and showing when we play, that football really is for everyone, making sure everyone feels included, is really important," she said.
"We've always been a really open team, from all different walks of life and this is just another way to make everyone out there feel seen and heard.
"Everyone should feel comfortable in whatever skin they're in, whoever they want to be, whoever they want to love. I think sometimes the world could be a little bit nicer to one another and this is just one way of showing we stand with everyone inside and outside of the community."
As someone who has always been open and generous in sharing who she is, Kerr shared that by using her platform, she hopes to encourage others to feel safe, seen and supported.
"To wear the Australian jersey is always a massive honour, but to wear the rainbow colours, something that I've always been really proud and passionate about, is really special," she said.
"In being myself, being true to who I am and being really open with everyone about who I am, I hope the message that's received by the public is a really positive one. As a team, we're all really accepting of one another and it makes me really proud that the whole team want to wear this rainbow jersey and I'm really proud to wear it.
"Hopefully the public sees that together, we want to send the message of being really inclusive, accepting and loving of one another. No matter who you are, who you want to be, where you come from or who you love, you will be welcomed."
Even as a child, Kerr never let societal expectations dictate her path and with a combined social media following of over 1.5 million on her personal accounts alone, she wittingly gives others the courage to do the same.
“I think it's something that I've become more conscious about,” Kerr said when asked how much thought goes into what she shares on social media.
“When I first started playing, I just didn't see any reason to explain who I was, what I was into, what I liked, or whatever it may have been.
“I’ve been lucky to have always had a very supportive family. I grew up being a little tomboy and my parents never had anything to say about it and neither did the rest of my family.
“My mum said, even as a kid, I didn't understand why the boys didn't want me to play with them, or why people thought it was weird that I looked like a little boy, but I've always believed that whoever it is, whatever they wear, whoever they want to be, is totally fine,” she continued.
“As I've found myself more and more in the spotlight, I have become more conscious of the impact that the things I post and the things I say, can have on people, but the one thing that I've always been really proud of is that I've always been myself and hopefully, people find comfort in that.
“I also think all of my role models have been people who have really impacted me off the pitch, more so than on the pitch,” she continued.
“I've found that when someone's really powerful off the pitch, they bring people with them, they bring the team, they bring a country with them. That's always really resonated with me and that's what I try and do now.
“I always try and make everyone feel welcome, and by being who I am, allow them to be who they are. I think that's the most beautiful part of sport, all these different people coming together to achieve something great.
“People will say I do crazy things on the football field or whatever they think of me, but at the end of the day, I'm just like anybody else and I think that's the coolest thing about connecting with fans, at the end of the day, I'm just like them.”