The NBL’s first active openly gay player Isaac Humphries has applauded the league’s decision to host a pride round for the first time.

The NBL’s pride round begins from Wednesday and across nine games, players will be invited to wear jerseys that feature a pride logo on it. Across the week, all courts will display that logo as well as a pride progress flag.

The NBL confirmed to AAP that players would be permitted to play wearing their regular jerseys if they would prefer.

Players, coaches and staff also have the option to participate in LGBTQI awareness training as part of pride round.

“I welcome the NBL’s inaugural Champion Pride Round, as it is another step towards the League and basketball becoming a more comfortable and welcoming environment,” said Melbourne United’s Humphries, who came out earlier this season.

“Since I made my announcement, not only has it made me feel free and happy, but it has also inspired me to help create serious change and set an example that you can be a professional athlete, or anything you want to be, and still be gay.

“The support I have received has been overwhelming and I’ve been so thankful for that. The challenge now is to help others on their journey and make a real change.”

The NBL’s pride round follows pride games scheduled in the AFL, Super Netball and A-Leagues during the most recent seasons. The Super Rugby hosted its first pride round in 2019

NRL club Manly faced resistance from members of their playing group for introducing an inclusion jersey this season without player consultation.

The NBL has developed the round in cooperation with its players union, the Australian Basketball Players’ Association (ABPA).

According to ABPA CEO Jacob Holmes, the round has the support of the players.

“The Pride Round provides an opportunity to celebrate the value of diversity within the League and society,” he said in a press statement.

NBL commissioner Jeremy Loeliger expected some players may not warm to pride round but that the initiative was nevertheless worth pursuing.

“We acknowledge, at times, there will be challenges with various stances we take as an organisation and they may conflict with some people’s beliefs,” he said in a statement.

“Regardless, we will continue to work together to support each other, and we will always respect that people may have different views, opinions and values to ours.

“Basketball is for everyone and we have always been strong advocates for diversity and inclusion.

“We will do all we can to ensure the NBL is a community where everyone is welcomed and supported, and individuals are encouraged to be themselves without fear of discrimination or judgement.”

– AAP