Dani Laidley announces she will make a return to prime time sport in celebrity game that could be watched by millions: ‘Excited is certainly an understatement’
- Dani Laidley announces she will make a return to prime time sport in January
- Laidley will compete in the Glam Slam tournament of the Australian Open
- Laidley says she is ‘excited’ and ‘cannot wait’ to take part in the LGBTQI+ event
Former AFL star Danielle Laidley has confirmed she will be returning to the sporting arena to play and captain in the Glam Slam tournament at the Australian Open this summer.
Laidley, who played 151 AFL matches across a 10-year career at the Eagles and Kangaroos before coaching North Melbourne for 149 matches, will be taking part in the celebrity tennis match on Kia Arena in January.
Former AFL star Danielle Laidley (pictured) has confirmed she will be returning to the sporting arena to play and captain in the Glam Slam tournament at the Australian Open this summer
Laidley (pictured with partner Donna Leckie), played 151 AFL matches across a 10-year career at the Eagles and Kangaroos, later coaching North Melbourne for 149 matches
‘Excited is certainly an understatement,’ Laidley said.
‘I can’t wait, it’s a privilege to play on Kia Arena, where so many great deeds have been achieved.
‘I will have to put some practice hours in, to brush up my skills, but it’s certainly about the fun of the event.’
The Glam Slam is the world’s largest LGBTQI+ tennis event, and is now in its sixth year as it continues to expand with more than 100 players from around the world competing.
The celebrity match will include local sporting names, legends of tennis and stars from the world of showbiz.
Founder of the event, Rowen D’Souza, stated that Laidley’s appearance at Glam Slam was important to show the way for others.
‘Being visible is an important way which the LGBTIQ+ community advances the cause of our inclusion in all aspects of life,’ he said.
The Glam Slam is the world’s largest LGBTQI+ tennis event, and is now in its sixth year and continues to expand with more than 100 players from around the world competing
‘Danielle has made the very human desire to ‘be your true self’ very visible to a huge audience around Australia. Sport can be a very scary place; many fear judgment and ridicule for being different. It’s so important that someone like Danielle continues to show the way for others who want express outwardly their true selves.’
Laidley will also be getting interviewed for ‘In Conversation With Danielle Laidley’.
The former AFL great is expected to talk about her life and book Don’t Look Away – which details her emotional journey through gender dysphoria from starring on the field to hitting rock bottom to reclaiming her true self.
The former AFL great (pictured) is expected to talk about her life and book Don’t Look Away – which details her emotional journey through gender dysphoria from starring on the field to hitting rock bottom and reclaiming her true self
‘I’m very excited and grateful to be involved in both events, The Australian Open is a diverse and inclusive event helping the community understand the rainbow community,’ said Laidley. ‘This is an absolute honour.’
‘It’s been very busy, exciting, at times very emotional. The support and positive feedback towards the book have been incredible, and quite overwhelming.’
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