Josh Cavallo plays professional A-League soccer for Adelaide United FC and has represented the Australian under-20 national team.
He made sports history in 2021 by coming out as gay – making him the first in the Australian A-League and the only openly gay male professional footballer currently playing top-flight football in the world.
Josh’s announcement inspired an outpouring of support from the world’s top players, clubs and leading sports organisations – and encouraged other top league footballers to come out. But in a world in which homophobic bullying is still rife, he has also endured abuse during games and on social media.
Josh’s actions influenced Adelaide United to host the first A-League Pride Games, staging men’s and women’s fixtures to promote inclusivity.
Flinders University presented Josh with an honorary doctorate in 2022 to recognise his exceptional contributions as a role model in elite men’s sport and as a champion for equality.