THIS weekend, the AFLW will celebrate Pride Round, an opportunity for the competition to come together and support diversity and inclusion of LGBTQIA+ communities.

And while this round is a highlight of the fixture each season, the inclusion and celebration of LGBTQIA+ communities is something that the Ruby Demons have been proudly doing for nearly eight years now.

The Ruby Demons are Melbourne’s pride supporter group and what started out as three die-hard fans coming together to create a safe space for all to enjoy footy, has now grown into something cherished by many Dees.

Founded in 2016 by Melbourne members, the group aims to provide an inclusive LGBTQIA+ supporter space that welcomes and embraces people of diverse sexualities, genders and cultural backgrounds.

Nikki Clare, a long-time member of the Ruby Demons, highlighted how important it’s been to see the growth of the group since its creation eight years ago.

“With the introduction of the AFLW, we’ve grown a fair bit,” Clare told Melbourne Media.

“We’re loving how we’re getting a lot more love and support, people coming up to us at games and you see Pride flags now in the Demon Army, which is massive for us.”

The Ruby Demons are one of many supporter groups that are part of the AFL Pride Collective, which is made up of rainbow committees from clubs across the league.

“[In the AFL Pride Collective] we have meetings once a month, where a representative from each club participates,” Clare said.

“We discuss any upcoming events and anything we would like to talk about within the AFL community.

“We’re just trying to make sure that everyone is taken care of and that’s why we get together."

As the league prepares to go all out ahead of this weekend’s pride match days, Clare emphasised the significance of the AFLW’s Pride Round and what it does for those who it celebrates.

“It’s huge and super important," Clare said.

“We’ve always spoken about how the AFLW is an inclusive and welcoming community, across the board.

“We know that people can come to matches and feel safe, they can be their true selves and enjoy the atmosphere.

“With Pride Round, just like everyone else, we’re all human and we all want to celebrate who we are.

“Everyone is accepted, and everyone is welcomed and that’s how it should be everywhere, no matter what the sport.”