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Kade Matthews

he/him

About

Professional Title

Community Development Officer

Organisation

Proud 2 Play

Locations

  • All of Victoria

Areas Of Expertise

  • Advocacy and Inclusion
  • Creating Safe and Inclusive Spaces
  • Education and Equity
  • LGBTIQA+ Awareness and Inclusion
  • Mental Health and Wellbeing

Presentation Topics

  • Community Engagement
  • Conference presentations
  • DEI
  • Education
  • Empowerment
  • Growing up LGBTIQA+ in Regional Areas
  • Inclusion
  • Intersectionality
  • Leadership
  • LGBTIQA+ Advocacy
  • Mental Health
  • Motivation
  • Non-binary inclusion
  • Organisational inclusivity
  • Solidarity

Socials

Open to Negotiating Fees

Yes

Biography

Kade Matthews is a leading advocate for LGBTIQA+ inclusion in sport and recreation, with a strong background in community development, education, and activism. As the Vice President of Queer Sporting Alliance and the Community Development Officer at Proud 2 Play, Kade works at the intersection of sport, identity, and human rights, striving to make sporting spaces safe, welcoming, and accessible for all.

Kade has a deep personal connection to his work. Coming to terms with his bisexual identity in his 20s, he found sport to be a crucial space for belonging and support. This experience led him to found Australian LGBT Ice Hockey, a national initiative that creates inclusive opportunities for LGBTIQA+ players. His work has since expanded to broader inclusion efforts, including leading educational programs, developing community-focused initiatives, and supporting grassroots sports organisations in embedding meaningful change.

Kade transitioned from a corporate career to the non-profit sector, where he now thrives in community engagement, advocacy, and education. His work at Proud 2 Play includes leading the Rainbow Ready Clubs program, a framework that supports community sporting clubs in embedding inclusive policies and practices. He has also played a key role in major events such as the Midsumma Festival Sports Precinct and Victoria’s Pride, ensuring LGBTIQA+ people see themselves reflected in the sporting landscape.

An experienced speaker and educator, Kade has delivered presentations and workshops at conferences, panels, and training sessions across Australia, including the National Sports & Physical Activity Convention, Better Together, and industry-led forums on sport, inclusion, and human rights. His speaking engagements focus on key themes such as toxic masculinity and homophobia in sport, the power of pride visibility, and the right to sport and recreation as a fundamental human right.

Kade’s work has directly influenced the participation and wellbeing of LGBTIQA+ individuals in sport, bridging the gap between policy and real-world change. His approach is deeply rooted in storytelling, action-based education, and lived experience, ensuring that inclusion efforts go beyond awareness and translate into tangible outcomes.

Kade is also the Special Projects & Activations Manager for Racing Pride, leading LGBTIQA+ visibility efforts in motorsport. He has played a pivotal role in establishing the world’s first Formula 1 Pride Hub at the Australian Grand Prix, with further expansion into other Grand Prix events globally.

Through his advocacy, leadership, and passion for inclusion, Kade continues to work towards a future where all LGBTIQA+ people can engage in sport and recreation without fear or discrimination.

Experience

Kade Matthews is an experienced speaker, facilitator, and advocate for LGBTIQA+ inclusion in sport and recreation. He has presented at major conferences, led community workshops, and hosted high-profile events focused on creating safer, more inclusive sporting environments. His work spans grassroots to elite sport, ensuring real-world change through education, advocacy, and collaboration.
Presented At:

Better Together 2024 – Sport and Human Rights panelist
National Sports & Physical Activity Convention 2024 – Schools & Sport stream speaker, discussing Free To Exist study findings and Proud 2 Play’s work in LGBTIQA+ youth inclusion
Sport and Recreation Victoria Gender-Based Violence Community of Practice 2025 – Presented on intersectionality and the relationship between homophobia and gender-based violence
Healthy Loddon Community of Practice 2024 – Spoke about the Rainbow Ready Clubs framework and strategies for overcoming homophobia in community sport
Free To Exist Report Launch 2024 – Spoke on report findings on LGBTIQA+ youth participation in sport and recreation

Hosted & Facilitated:

Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix Pride Hub (2024 & 2025) – Hosted and presented panels on LGBTIQA+ inclusion in sport and motorsport
Rainbow Sports Alliance – Facilitated workshop sessions on collaboration and empowerment in LGBTIQA+ inclusion efforts
Midsumma Sports Precinct – Hosted panels and conversations with clubs on inclusive sporting environments and community engagement
Proud 2 Play Education & Training – Regular facilitator of LGBTIQA+ inclusion workshops for local councils, state sporting organisations, and national sporting bodies

Media & Public Speaking:

Radio: JOY 94.7 – Regular guest, discussing community sport and upcoming opportunities for LGBTIQA+ participation across various programs
Television: Appearances on Channel 7, Nine, and ABC discussing current issues in sport and recreation related to LGBTIQA+ inclusion

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