A Darwin pilates studio has withdrawn its sponsorship of a local football club following the club’s participation in the Northern Territory Football League’s first-ever Pride Round.
Encore Pilates and Wellness ended its support for Waratah Football Club after the club promoted its involvement in the Pride Round. Studio owner Katie Crane announced the decision in a letter shared with News Corp, laced with transphobic rhetoric.
“We are very sad and concerned that the president of the club is taking part in an LGBQTIA+ event and we simply cannot support any organisation that is associated with the political woke agenda that the current movement represents. While we understand that the clubs decision to support the LGBQTIA+ movement is probably out of ignorance and is an innocent enough gesture, the moral implications are much more complex and so we must take the moral high ground and remove our support for the club under these circumstances.
“We are very passionate about women’s sport being sacred ground for women to be safe from allowing biological men to enter the arena and we are absolutely committed to children being safe from the insidious harm caused by gender mutilation and the current politicisation of the LGBQTIA+ has very real consequences that we have an obligation to stand against.”
Waratah Football Club takes a stand
In response, Waratah Football Club reaffirmed its commitment to inclusivity and respect. “Our participation in the recent Pride matches reflects these values, and we proudly stand with our LGBTQIA+ community,” a club spokesperson said.
“We are fortunate to have strong partnerships with organisations that share our commitment to these principles. The support we’ve received from within the NTFL and the broader community has been incredible.”
The club expressed pride in being part of a landmark event in NTFL history.
“Our focus remains on providing an environment where everyone feels welcome and valued,” the spokesperson added.
Waratah’s Pride Round opponent PINT raised $400 among players to replace the lost sponsorship funds.
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