Out for Sport is delighted to have awarded thousands to LGBTQIA grassroots sports clubs, thanks to funding from Nike.
The LGBTQIA Diversity and Inclusion Fund will help clubs to drive participation in their chosen sports by addressing barriers to participation by those under-25, by those who identify as female, trans and nonbinary, and by those from under-represented groups and diverse cultural backgrounds.
The funding will be distributed among seven grassroots clubs across London, with grants to support the delivery of taster sessions, inclusive coaching and capacity-building. All designed to break down barriers to participation in sport.
A grants committee of community sport representatives agreed the grants, focusing on projects which would deliver measurable change in participation by under-represented groups.
Vicki Carter, Co-Chair of Out for Sport said:
“London’s grassroots LGBTQ+ sports clubs already deliver the positive benefits of sport to thousands of people. To reach thousands more, 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.”
The projects are:
o Increasing gender diversity within the sport by funding access to summer camps, belt gradings, competitions and leadership and teaching skills.
o 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.
o Training for four new LGBTQ+ coaches, taster sessions, and an accessible 3- month pathway into regular training targeting under-represented communities.
o A day of free sessions in multiple sports, followed by a 6 week hockey development program, both designed specifically for trans/non-binary players.
o 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
o 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
o 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.
To see further details of the projects and follow their progress, please follow Nike and Out for Sport on social media using hashtag #LGBTQIADiversityInclusionFund.