Strategically, Pride Sports is working hard to tackle homophobia in sport and promote the inclusion of LGBTs in national sports strategy and delivery in the UK.
Objectives
- To tackle homophobia in sport and promote the inclusion of LGBTs in national sports strategy and delivery in the UK
- To increase opportunities for participation in sport by LGBT young people, promoting sport as an attractive lifestyle alternative to the commercial gay scene
- To ensure all projects and activities are inclusive of all sections of the LGBT community and target need where it is greatest (for example for those living with and affected by HIV)
Passionate about LGBT equity in sports, Pride Sports, is increasingly working with National Governing Bodies of sports. These include; The RFL (Rugby Football League), the FA (Football Association), The England and Wales Cricket Board and more.
Pride Sports is working closely with Sport England towards proper recognition of LGBT people in sports and in the pursuit of equity for LGBT sports groups - there are over 100 nationally. To this end, Pride Sports launched the UK's first LGBT Sports Summit in 2008 in Manchester. A summit outcome resulted in the formation of the UK's first annual LGBT Sports Summit.
Pride Sports hosts the world's only LGBT Youth Games, now in its 5th year and the award winning 'Pride Games', the UK's only annual LGBT multi-sports event.
Here are a couple of examples of Pride Sports work:
Research for the England and Wales Cricket board
During August 2011, Pride Sports lead a team of trained volunteers, to conduct interviews about LGBT participation in cricket. With a surprising amount of interest and strong opinion, the team quickly over achieved on target by 50%!
At LGBT History Month Pre-Launch 2010
'Growing and Sustaining LGBT Participation in Sport', a workshop for National Governing Bodies, Local Authorities, CSPs and other Sports Providers. Delivered by: Pride Sports, the UK's leading LGBT Sports Development & Equity Organisation at the LGBT Sports Summit 2010.
During LGBT History Month 2011 (February)
Working in partnership with LGBT History Month, Pride Sports and LGBT HM sponsored the Sheffield Eagles rugby football league team's kit, to become the first RFL team in the world to wear an anti-homophobia message during a televised match!
At this same event Pride sports launched a new annual trophy, to be awarded to the RFL club that has made the most significant progress toward equity in sports over the past twelve months.
A great example of our inclusive events is Pride Games 2011
Equality in Sport Newsletter Novemeber 2011