Dubbed a “feast of football, fun and friendship” the competition held earlier this month demonstrated the power of sport to overcome prejudice.

And organisers hope A-League clubs will become involved in future tournaments.

Sydney Rangers FC and The Flying Bats Women’s Football Club hosted the weekend in a wet harbour city but it was visitors Melbourne Rovers who took home the 4th annual Justin Fashanu Cup with a 1-0 victory over the Sydney boys.

Meanwhile it was honours even between the Flying Bats and the women’s Rovers for the inaugural Julie Murray Cup when injury cut the match short at 2-2.

Murray, a passionate supporter of the event, is a trailblazer in her own right, beginning her international career at just 15, captaining the Matilda’s at two World Cups and inducted into the FFA’s Hall of Fame in 2008.

Sydney Rangers coach Joseph Roppolo said there was still a long way to go before gay and lesbians were accepted by professional sports.

Since the 1998 suicide of Fashanu – the first English footballer to come out – there have been no openly gay players in the Premier League.

“I think in professional men’s football it really does in some ways seem like the last bastion of homophobia,” Roppolo said. “There are no out and proud players at the highest level unlike in the women’s game.

“I think you have to look at the amount of money that these guys are earning - there is a lot of fear that such a short career could be jeopardised.”

While FIFA and EPL clubs had embraced the campaign to stamp out racism, the Sydneysider said there was “a noticeable silence” on homophobia.

But he added the overwhelming message of Pride Football Australia was positive. The next tournament will be held in Melbourne but there are plans of attracting more clubs from across Australia and New Zealand.

“In terms of Pride Football Australia we’re happy to use that as a vehicle not just to talk about homophobia in sport, because that’s a negative, but also to push the fact that there are lots of positive stories as well,” Roppolo said.

“We all love football regardless of sexuality and we try to provide a very safe environment and community environment where people can be themselves.

“We don’t just have gay players in our team, we have lots of straight married guys who just want to play with us because they’re our mates and we have fun.”

Roppolo said joining Rangers had transformed his life – from the annual tournament to the regular league games in the Canterbury District Soccer Football Association and the Sunday social kick around at Centennial Park

“It’s really been amazing to me,” he said. “I’ve always loved football but the decision I made 10 years ago to join this team has become what my whole life is sort of about – which is hanging out with your mates.

“And I think when you look at what it’s like for a lot of young guys who are dealing with their sexuality – the Oxford Street scene and clubs and all of that sort of stuff is very daunting.

“But joining a football team has so many positive, healthy benefits of being involved and being connected to such a strong and established community.”