Touch Football Australia (TFA) is proud to announce it has achieved Platinum Tier status at the 2026 Australian Pride in Sport (PIS) Awards, a historic first for the organisation and a major milestone in its commitment to diversity and inclusion.
The recognition cements TFA’s position as a leader in driving inclusion for participants across the country, celebrating the progress made in creating safe, welcoming environments for participants at every level of the game.
The 2026 Awards marked a decade of progress in LGBTQ+ inclusion across Australian sport since the introduction of the PIS program, celebrated with a 10-Year Anniversary Ball at the world-class CENTREPIECE at Melbourne Park. The evening brought together athletes, allies, advocates and changemakers to recognise the sports community’s collective impact in fostering inclusion.
The Australian PIS Awards recognise individuals, clubs, and organisations that are leading the way in LGBTQ+ inclusion, from grassroots through to elite levels, helping ensure everyone can participate safely and proudly.
Established in 2016, the Awards are underpinned by the Pride in Sport Index (PSI), the leading benchmarking tool for LGBTQ+ inclusion in Australian sport. The PSI supports organisations in shaping their inclusion strategies while providing a clear framework for recognition and achievement.
TFA was one of six organisations recognised with Platinum Tier status, placing it among the leaders in inclusion across Australian sport alongside Hockey ACT, Macquarie University Sport, Netball Victoria, Tennis Australia, and UWA Sport.
TFA’s purpose under its new Strategic Plan, to unite communities through safe, social and meaningful Touch Football experiences, sits at the heart of this recognition. It highlights TFA’s commitment to meaningful inclusion, demonstrated through LGBTQ+ representation in governance, leadership and staff advocacy, alongside inclusive workplace practices, accessible facilities, digital resources, and zero-tolerance messaging across national competitions. TFA also recognised key dates of significance, delivered staff education in partnership with Pride in Sport, and expanded inclusive participation through initiatives such as Touch of Pride at Canberra’s SpringOUT Festival.
TFA Chief Executive Officer, Marcus Ashcroft, said:
“This is an incredibly proud and exciting achievement for TFA. Achieving Platinum Tier status for the first time reflects the sustained years of effort and commitment from our people.
“I’d also like to congratulate all nominees and award winners on their impressive contributions in this space, especially the five others recognised with Platinum Tier, as we continue to work together to make sport more inclusive in Australia.
“Ultimately, this Platinum recognition belongs to our people, both past and current, and the exceptional work they’ve put into driving diversity and inclusion in Touch Football. Their work has laid the foundations for where we are today and for the sport moving forward.
“While this is a milestone worth celebrating, we know there is always more to do. We are committed to continuing this work to ensure Touch Football is a place where everyone feels like they belong.”
For more information and the full list of award recipients, please click here.
