The Purple Bombers have launched their membership campaign for 2017.

The Essendon coterie group was established in 2014.

Membership has grown steadily and 2017 packages offer inner sanctum experiences, invitations to regular events and the opportunity to join a movement to end homophobia in sport. 

“We’re really looking forward to our centrepiece being the IDAHOT game against West Coast in May,” Purple Bombers' President, Jason Tuazon-McCheyne said. 

“We’ll have a guard of honour featuring members of the Purple Bombers and other events and opportunities throughout the season.

“Our goal is to make the Essendon Football Club and the AFL a safe place for LGBTIQ people and players.”

Essendon’s 2016 Captain Brendon Goddard and second year player Michael Hartley will be Purple Bombers ambassadors throughout 2017.

“Getting involved was a pretty simple decision for me,” Goddard said.

“It’s all about equality – regardless of race, religion, sexuality or gender.”

The Purple Bombers will be involved in the Midsumma Festival on January 15^th, the Pride March on January 29^th and the Essendon Family Day in February. 

“We’re proud of the partnership we’ve formed with the Purple Bombers in recent years,” Essendon’s Chief Marketing Officer Justin Rodski said. 

“The Purple Bombers held a historic meeting at the Essendon Football Club during the week to finalise their plans for 2017 and they form a key part of our vision to become the most inclusive Club in the AFL.”

In the lead-up to the game against West Coast in round nine, the Bombers will train and warm-up in special rainbow pride guernseys.

“The Club and our ambassadors really believe in equality and making the AFL a safe place for everybody,” Tuazon-McCheyne said. 

“Three to five per cent of the Essendon membership are LGBTIQ and as we go forward and have this comeback season, it’s exciting to know every Bombers fan is important to the Essendon Football Club.”

Memberships start from as low as $39.

For more information on the Purple Bombers, click here.