The Out For Sport Awards 2022 brought London’s LGBTQ+ sporting community together for a night of celebration, recognition and real joy. From rowing to rugby, swimming to jujitsu, the evening honoured the clubs and individuals who had gone above and beyond, competing at the highest levels, holding their communities together, and opening doors for others to walk through.

Highlights from the Evening

Team of the Year: London Otters Rowing Club – Senior Squad

London Otters became the first LGBTQ+ team to compete at the Henley Royal Regatta, a historic moment for visibility and representation in rowing.

Club Spirit of the Year: Eleanor George, Out To Swim Angels

Eleanor’s dedication, warmth and culture of acceptance made her an easy choice. Her teammates even made a video in her honour.

Most Innovative Project: London Cruisers Basketball

Cruisers used the queer community app Lex to advertise their trans and non-binary inclusive programme, attracting 50 new members in the process.

Unsung Hero: Julian Bremner, Ishigaki Jujitsu

Julian keeps Ishigaki running, tireless behind the scenes, always the first to step up, and never seeking the spotlight.

Most Inclusive Club: Unicorns LGBTQIA+ Netball Club

The UK’s first fully inclusive netball club, just 12 months old at the time of the awards, with 50 members, 100+ supporters and 10% non-binary participation.

Nike Club of the Year: South London Smashers

From 12 players in 2019 to 84 every week, the Smashers have grown into a standard-bearer for LGBTQ+ inclusive tennis in London.

Outstanding Achievement: Sandy Mackay, Ishigaki Jujitsu

Recently awarded his rare 6th Dan grade and in remission from cancer, Sandy is a guiding light within Ishigaki; respected, dedicated and deeply valued.

Emerging Club of the Year: London Stags RFC

In their fourth year, the Stags had reached 100 members, achieved IGR Affiliate status, and were leading the fight for trans and non-binary inclusion in rugby.

Lifetime Achievement, The Ivan Bussens Award: Joanie Evans & Michelle Weltman

A joint award for two titans of LGBTQ+ sport. Joanie founded Hackney Women’s FC and led it openly as a gay team in the 1980s. Michelle has coached Out To Swim for over three decades, keeping the club thriving through the pandemic and onto international success.

The 2022 Awards celebrated the people who make LGBTQ+ sport what it is; the volunteers, the trailblazers, and the communities built one welcome at a time. Here’s to all of them.