Haneen Zreika will sit out round eight after making the decision not to wear GWS’ Pride jumper.Credit:Getty Images
Greater Western Sydney confirmed on Wednesday Zreika,who was the first Muslim to play in the AFLW,had chosen once again not to wear the Pride jumper,which AFLW players use to recognise,support and celebrate the LGBTQI+ community,and therefore would not participate in that round’s game.
Zreika’s decision comes amid a debate over whether the AFL and its clubs’ emphasis on inclusion and diversity should come at the expense of religious freedom,after short-lived Essendon CEO Andrew Thorburn was forced to choose between the role at the Bombers and his position as head of a Christian church with conservative views on abortion and homosexuality.
Last season,the small forward choose not to wear the Pride guernsey due to her faith,after working closely with the AFL and her club to come to her decision,which she grappled with for some time.
Zreika’s teammates said they were understanding of the position she was in and accepted that she supported them on a personal level,despite choosing not to participate in the round.
The AFL’s head of inclusion and social policy Tanya Hosch told an ABC podcast at the time:“People of faith have rights as well.
“We say we’re a game for everyone and here we’ve got a situation where we’ve got someone who feels they’ve got to make a decision on whether or not they’ll play based on a uniform that they don’t feel they should be representing in.
“We want the game to be inclusive,you don’t get to choose to just pick and choose who represents inclusion.”
Zreika,23,still attended the Pride match between GWS and the Western Bulldogs,which the Giants won,and was on FaceTime with teammates during the club song at the end of the match.