Australian sport can learn from queer ice hockey hit Heated Rivalry

Heated Rivalry, a queer ice hockey romcom adapted from Rachel Reid's novels, has been linked to rising interest in hockey in North America and Australia and highlights challenges and opportunities for LGBTIQA+ inclusion in sport.

Heated Rivalry is a viral queer ice hockey romcom that debuted in November and is based on a book series by Canadian author Rachel Reid. The show mixes a rivals-to-lovers sports storyline with depictions of athletes' private lives. It has been associated with increased attention to hockey in North America and a spike in interest in Australia. Experts and community organisers say the series highlights both the barriers queer athletes face and ways sport organisations have begun to respond. Key points: - Heated Rivalry is adapted from Rachel Reid's novels and centres on two male ice hockey players and their relationship. - The show has been linked to reported increases in NHL attendance in North America and rising interest in ice hockey among some Australians. - Diversity experts, including Dr Ryan Storr, note the series highlights how closeted athletes can face daily stress and poorer mental health outcomes. - Dr Kyle Rich cautions that hockey culture in Canada carries systemic problems, while queer sport clubs in Melbourne report growing enquiries following the show's release. - Southern Lights Ice Hockey founder Kade Matthews says volunteers are doing much of the inclusion work and that some sports organisations have engaged with fan interest, such as a social media push around a fictional fleece tied to Team Canada. Summary: The show has drawn attention to the potential for inclusive storytelling to reach new audiences and to expose cultural barriers within men's professional sport. Community organisers and experts say existing inclusive clubs are active but resourced mainly by volunteers, and how broader sporting organisations will respond is undetermined at this time.