Matt Hill & Vicki Carter, Co-Chairs, Out for Sport
The #LGBTQIADiversityInclusionFund will help seven clubs to address barriers to participation by that under-25, by those who identify as female, trans and nonbinary, and by those from under-represented ethnic groups and diverse cultural backgrounds.
The grants will support the delivery of taster sessions, inclusive coaching, training for umpires and officials, inclusive tournament, capacity-building and more, all focusing on projects which would deliver measurable change in participation by under-represented groups. You can see the breakdown of the projects below.
London’s grassroots LGBTQ+ sports clubs already deliver the positive benefits of sport to thousands of people every week. There are more than 60 LGBTQ+-inclusive grassroots sports clubs in London, offering everything from Rugby and Tennis to Dragon Boating and Line Dancing. They’re most successful at attracting men in their late twenties and thirties, often keen to return to sport after poor experiences earlier in life. But if we want to reach thousands more LGBTQ+ Londoners, then we need to make sure that they’re seen as safe, inclusive, and welcoming spaces for everyone. So, we’re very grateful to Nike for funding these grants, and very excited to be working with the clubs on these innovative projects to drive sporting participation across our diverse LGBTQ+ community.
This is the first time in Out for Sport’s 24-year history that we’ve been able to award grants, so it has also been a learning process for us. Just like all our member clubs, Out for Sport is a small, grassroots, volunteer-led charity. So, we’ve been extremely grateful that Nike have recognized that, and shown extra patience and support in helping us to get these vital activities off the ground. We’ve also had valuable support from the LGBT Consortium, who supported us with the application process. and should be a first port of call for all LGBTQ+ charities looking for advice.
We’re really looking forward to seeing all the projects develop, so please follow @outforsport_ on Instagram to keep track. And if you’re an LGBTQ+-inclusive sports club in London, check out our website to see how London’s LGBTQ+ inclusive sports clubs work together to make our sports community the most diverse, inclusive and welcoming in the world.
The projects are:
- Camden Kempo Martial Arts
- Increasing gender diversity within the sport by funding access to summer camps, belt gradings, competitions and leadership and teaching skills.
- London Otters Rowing Club
- Taster sessions and a training course for LGBTQ+ youth in collaboration with London Youth Rowing, providing a pathway into LORC or other grassroots sport clubs.
- Knockout LGBTQ+ Boxing Club
- Training for four new LGBTQ+ coaches, taster sessions, and an accessible 3-month pathway into regular training targeting under-represented communities.
- London Royals Hockey Club
- A day of free sessions in multiple sports, followed by a 6 week hockey development program, both designed specifically for trans/non-binary players.
- Ishigaki Jujitsu
- A programme of new joiner days and ongoing support designed to recruit and retain younger people, female, trans and non-binary members and those from underrepresented communities.
- Unicorns LGBTQIA+ Netball Club
- Taster sessions and free ongoing training and coaching sessions targeted at younger people and those from underrepresented communities.
- Inclusive football coaching for women and non-binary players of all abilities
- Recruiting and training a diverse LGBTQ+ coaching team and referees, making club football a more inclusive and attractive space for women and non-binary players.
Photo Credit: Out for Sport
