Jason Ball

Jason Ball is a passionate LGBTIQ and mental health advocate, who after coming out in 2012 launched a change.org petition to challenge homophobia in the AFL. His campaign led to the screening of anti-homophobia messages on the big screen at AFL matches. Jason's story has been used in education programs created by the AFL and he consulted with the AFL Players Association in the development of a player-led social media campaign to challenge homophobic language in sport. In 2014 Jason led Victoria's Pride March flanked by his teammates from the Yarra Glen Football Club along with AFL players Daniel Jackson and Brock McLean. Jason's advocacy was the driving force behind the first AFL Pride Game played between St Kilda and Sydney in 2016.

Jason's leadership has seen him take up Ambassadorial roles with the Victorian Pride Centre, Safe Schools Coalition, Melbourne Queer Film Festival, Human Rights Arts & Film Festival and Beyond Blue, and in 2017 he was named Young Australian of the Year for Victoria. He is the co-founder Pride Cup Australia, a non-profit organisation that works with all levels of sport to create pride activations and deliver education to increase LGBTIQ visibility and engagement. Jason comes from a long line of Collingwood supporters and has been a member of the club for 22 years, but he is also willing to back any club working to create a safe and welcoming environment for LGBTIQ players and fans.