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Openly gay country footballer Jason Ball (pictured left) and his team mates will lead this year’s Pride March in Melbourne on Sunday February 3. Nearly 100 commmunity and allied organisations have registered to march in the 18th annual parade along Fitzroy Street in St Kilda. Pride March Victoria held its 2013 launch outside St Kilda Town Hall on Friday January 11.

At the launch, Ball told the Star Observer he felt honoured to lead this year’s parade.

“I’m really excited to march and probably even more excited that my team mates said they would march as well,” he said.

“I wasn’t really expecting them, I thought they would be a bit apprehensive about it, but there was no hesistation.”

“To my team mates, it’s not really a big deal because I’m just Jason and they know that I’m gay, they’re kind of amused that everyone thinks it’s such a big deal because to them it doesn’t matter.”

“It’s good, it’s how it should be.”

Pride March Victoria president Shane Marquis congratulated Ball for all his hard work.

“Pride Victoria is proud to announce that this year’s march will be led by openly gay country footballer Jason Ball along with his team mates from his Yarra Glen Football Club, recognising the club’s support for and terrific work of Jason’s AFL pride campaign.

“Visibility within the wider community is vital to the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and intersex community, gaining acceptance and more importantly understanding.