Three-time Adelaide AFLW Premiership star Anne Hatchard hid her true self from her friends and family growing up.

The 26-year-old knew from an early age she was gay but lived in fear of not being accepted, and kept it to herself.

“When I was younger I wasn’t open about it for a while, I didn’t accept myself for it and it took a while to be comfortable in my own skin,” Hatchard said.

“I found it really tough.

“I hid it because I wasn’t sure how people were going to react and I cared so much about what others thought of me that I was pretending to be someone I wasn’t for such a long time.

“It was such a scary feeling.”

Speaking to AFC Media ahead of the Crows’ Pride Round match against Melbourne on Wednesday night, Hatchard said becoming involved in footy helped her be her true self.

“I was 16 when I started playing footy, and being in that environment was very inclusive,” Hatchard said.

“I saw these girls being themselves and not being afraid to be themselves, so that really helped me come out and be who I am.

“It took me a long time to come out and be who I am, but I am so happy that I have been able to have the confidence to do that.”

Hatchard said she was grateful for the support she received, especially from her Mum, Claire.

She is now authentically herself, happily married to her wife, Georgie.

“I had full support from my family, which was amazing,” Hatchard said.

“It was like the weight had just been lifted off.

“From there it was still a big journey to grow and to be confident in who I am, but having the support, especially from my Mum, was just amazing.

“I am now just so happy and happily married to Georgie, and she’s the best person in my life.”

To celebrate Pride Round on Wednesday night, the Crows will don their Pride Guernsey, which is the same as the one worn last year.

Inclusivity is at the heart of the Crows’ Pride Round guernsey, which was designed in conjunction with the playing group.

It is an adaptation of the Club’s original rainbow Pride design with the addition of the colours of the Progressive Pride Flag to include groups who have sometimes been underrepresented in pride celebrations.

Light blue, pink and white stripes have been added to represent trans and non-binary individuals, as well as brown and black stripes to represent people of colour in the LGBTQI+ community.

Hatchard said the League’s hosting of a Pride Round was important to ensure everyone felt accepted.

“Pride is just about being accepting of everyone, no matter who they are and who they want to be,” Hatchard said.

“It’s about being inclusive and that’s why Pride Round just means so much.

“With the AFLW players being more open, it gives younger people an opportunity to feel more safe to be themselves, which is hugely important.

“Everyone’s journey is different, but the one piece of advice I would give is try not to care what people think because it will hold you back in being yourself.”

Adelaide hosts Melbourne at Norwood Oval on Wednesday night at 7.15pm.

Tickets available here.