Serena Bonnell named AIS Thrive With Pride Ambassador
Australia’s Right at Home Para Jackaroo Serena Bonnell has been appointed as one of 16 Australian Institute of Sport’s (AIS) 2023 Thrive With Pride program athlete ambassadors.
The program will see the rainbow athletes and allies drive LGBTIQ+ inclusion initiatives within their sporting communities over the next six months.
Bonnell is one of the most passionate and dedicated individuals when it comes to promoting inclusivity and believes that sport should be one of the environments for people to feel their safest.
“As a para athlete I know what inclusion is intimately and I know how exclusion can negatively impact the trajectory of someone’s life,” she said.
“I am excited to be an ambassador because I believe sport should be accessible for all people regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, ability or background.”
The Commonwealth Games silver medallist has quickly become a voice for inclusion within sport in recent years and
“I push for inclusion in all of its forms and facets and it saddens me deeply to know that some people in society don’t have a safe to represent themselves,” Bonnell said.
“My philosophy, particularly for bowls, is that it can be a driver to show how people in society should be treating each other and our greens should represent a full spectrum of everyone within society.
“I want to demonstrate how great our sport can be.”
2023 AIS Thrive with Pride ambassadors:
Alyssa West, Water polo Australia
Amelia Catt, Sailing
Charlotte McShane, Triathlon
Greta Hayes, Hockey
Heath Thorpe, Gymnastics
Kalinda Robinson, Cycling
Katerina Paul, Snow
Kaylia Stanton, Netball
Maria Strong, Athletics
Matthew Mitcham, Diving
Natalya Diehm, BMX
Nikki Ayers, Rowing
Poppy Starr Olsen, Skateboarding
Rowie Webster, Water polo
Ruby Bakewell-Doran, Netball
Serena Bonnell, Bowls
