"You Can't be What You Can't See" - Player Spotlight
In March, Canberra player Davis Atkin debuted for the Kookaburras, and in doing so became the first openly gay Australian male player at international hockey level. Davis credits his love of hockey and the help of his teammates on and off the field with what has helped him become even more successful as both a hockey player and confident and inspiring gay man.
Through active learning and support, he believes allies within the team can be the best thing to make an inclusive atmosphere and allow LGBT players such as himself to thrive, and also feel confident enough in themselves to come out and be themselves within the team. Visibility is a major factor for aspiring players, so Davis hopes to be the first of many gay elite sportsmen to lead the way and break down cultural barriers.
With Pride Round coming up, LGBT representation and role models such as Davis are a very important reminder of how, with support from those around us, we can build up our own players and make a more inclusive environment within our sport for all our CHC members.
Davis is currently in the Kookaburras squad playing in the FIH Pro League in Europe. You can read his inspiring stories below:
https://www.abc.net.au/everyday/makeup-helped-davis-be-his-true-self-after-he-was-outed/101684076