Our Commitment to Inclusion

The Australian Dragon Boat Inclusive Framework (ADBIF) provides AusDBF and its State and Territory Members with a clear, consistent guide to achieving meaningful inclusion across the sport.

As leaders of dragon boating in Australia, AusDBF and its Members commit to:

• Ensuring our sport reflects the diversity of the broader Australian community.
• Applying ADBIF principles when developing policies, strategies, and programs.
• Actively removing barriers and preventing discrimination within our organisations and clubs.
• Setting clear, measurable targets to track inclusion outcomes.
• Promoting a culture of inclusion through education, resources, and shared accountability.
• Contributing to the ongoing development of inclusive practices across the dragon boat community.

We recognise that our leadership role extends beyond governance and competition. Our actions influence clubs, volunteers, officials, and participants at every level of the sport.

AusDBF promotes inclusion through seven core pillars:

1. Access
2. Attitude
3. Choice
4. Partnerships
5. Communication
6. Policy
7. Opportunity

These pillars guide how inclusion is embedded across participation, pathways, governance, and culture, and align with national best-practice frameworks.

How to participate?

All participants are welcome to engage with dragon boating through affiliated clubs across Australia. Clubs are supported with guidance, tools, and resources to ensure inclusive, safe, and positive experiences for everyone.

To get started:

• Use the Club Finder on our website to locate a local club.
• Speak with club officials about participation options, training, events, and pathways.
• New participants can access the DragonPass (Come & Try) program to experience dragon boating within a 30-day introductory period.

Key Contacts and Pride Ambassadors

AusDBF – Inclusion & Diversity

• Ian Gearey (he/him)

Ian identifies a gay man and leads not only AusDBF’s D&I Committee but is also Global co-chair of Pride for his work organisation.

• Matthew Starr (he/him)

State and Territory Contacts

• ACT – Charli Murphy
• NSW – Rawiri Slater / Jo Bosley
• QLD – Francisco Munoz Alvarez
• SA – Julianne Kuhlmann
• TAS – Helen Howarth
• VIC – Caroline Mulcahy
• WA – Shae Gordon

Pride in Sport Ambassadors

• Danni Allport – Pride Ambassador

Danni, a proud bisexual woman paddles within Canberra. She has paddled, swept, and coached in the ACT State Team as well as participating in the 2025 Aurora's Campaign. 

Danni proudly supports and advocates for everyone who identifies or is exploring the LGBTQIA+ community. Through her lived experiences she can provide communication, guidance, and help in all levels of AusDBF participation. 

• Charli Murphy – Pride Ambassador

Charli, a proud asexual woman paddles within Canberra. She has been in the boat more than half her life and spends the rest of her time out of the boat shaping the minds of the next generation.

Charli proudly supports and advocates for everyone who identifies or is exploring the LGBTQIA+ community. Through her lived experiences she can provide communication, guidance, and help in all levels of AusDBF participation.

Charli and Danni work closely together to ensure inclusive practices and learning opportunities are embedded within AUSDBF. Their goal is to ensure the sport is accessible and inclusive of all people.

External Counselling and Support Services 

Pride in Sport 

Life Line - 13 11 14 (24-hour crisis counselling, support groups and suicide prevention services)

Beypond Blue - 1300 224 636  (aims to increase awareness of depression and anxiety)

MensLine Australia - 1300 78 9978 (professional phone and online counselling service offering Support to Men)

QLife - 1800 184 527 (provides national phone and web-based services for Lesbian peer support referral for people wanting to talk about sexuality, gender, bodies, feelings, relationships)

eheadspace - 1800 650 890 (provides counselling for young people aged 12-25 and their family and friends)

Kids Helpline - 1800 55 1800 (free counselling service for young people aged 5-25)

Butterfly Foundations National Helpline - 1800 334 673 (free counselling service and treatement for people with eating disorders and body image related issues)

Blue Knot Foundation Helpline - 1300 6577 380  (provides support,education and resources for familes and communities of adult survivors of childhood trauma and abuse)

SANE Australian - 1800 187 263 (provides support to anyone in Australia affected by complex mental health issues)

MindSpot - 1800 614 434  (phone and online service for people with anxiety, stress, low mood or depression) 

Acknowledgement of traditional owners 

Australian Dragon Boat Federation (AusDBF) acknowledges and pays respects to the past, present and future Traditional Custodians and Elders of this nation and the continuation of cultural, spiritual and educational practices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. AusDBF recognises and respects these practices acknowledging that our sport in Australia is conducted, administered and celebrated on the land and waterways of these Traditional Custodians.