The LGBTQ+ rugby club breaking down barriers

A rugby club in Essex says it is expanding due to overwhelming demand from local LGBTQ+ players.

The Colchester Kings launched in 2022 for people of all sexualities and gender identities to play the sport in a supportive environment.

"We are breaking down barriers," said club vice-chair James Silverstone. "We want to show rugby is for the whole community."

The club, which has attracted more than 100 members, has set up a dedicated pathway development programme and a touch rugby team to cater for players of all abilities.

The Kings have made a successful start to competitive action after finishing second and third in their first two seasons in the IGR (International Gay Rugby) South Eastern League.

It is the biggest club of its kind in the East of England, with similar teams popping up in Northamptonshire, Norfolk and other parts of Essex.

Silverstone, 36, told the BBC: "We are lucky to have a network which allows us to play matches across the country, plus tournaments in Europe and around the world, including America and Australia."

The club held taster sessions in Chelmsford and Ipswich in January. They have more sessions planned this summer.

"We work hard promoting ourselves on social media. We have fantastic support from Colchester Rugby Club and we also attend local Pride events, which is a great recruitment tool for us as well."

Their success has prompted the creation of KIT - the Kings In Training programme- where beginners can build confidence and skills before stepping up to regular training.

They have also launched Colchester Thunder RFC - an inclusive mixed gender touch rugby team to appeal to a wider audience, which they hope will grow in popularity.

Asked why he felt LGBTQ+ players needed their own club: "It is a really good question.

"It is not about us segregating ourselves, it is about removing barriers for people in the LGBTQ+ community to take up rugby and play without fear of discrimination or exclusion.

"It is also about educating more traditional teams, that we can play with them and beat them."

A lack of role models in professional sport has been cited as a reason for low representation of LGBTQ+ players in rugby.

Campbell Johnstone made headlines in 2023 becoming the first gay All Black to come out and speak publicly about his sexuality for the first time.

In 2022, the UK Sports Council reported that just 4% of LGBTQ+ people felt fully represented in professional sports.

Thomas Empson, 44, chief executive of Essex-based charity The OutHouse, said: "The Colchester Kings are excellent role models for kids who might want to play sport in the future.

"It is very different to when I grew up in the 80s under Section 28, when you didn't have role models in the community or representation in the media."

Section 28 of the Local Government Act was passed in May 1988, which - in the words of the legislation - prohibited the promotion of homosexuality by local authorities.

"We are still a marginalised community. The barriers are coming down. Things are changing however it takes time," said Mr Empson.

"But what the Kings are doing is brilliant."

A 2023 study by Stonewall UK found that 47% of LGBTQ+ people in the UK reported feeling excluded from sports activities.

The 2019 Pride in Sport Index showed that 52% were likely to avoid joining a sports team because of concerns over homophobic or transphobic attitudes.

Max Ruddock, 30, who joined the Kings in 2022, said: "It is exciting to be part of such a welcoming club."

Ames Ling, 37, who plays for Colchester Thunder, added: "Being new to rugby and as a non-binary person, it was brilliant to join a fully-inclusive team."

Johnny Stroud, 27, who plays for the Kings and the Thunder remarked it had been good for fitness adding: "I never thought that rugby would be something I would be into but I have really caught a bug for it."

Nick Bolton took over as head coach this year after playing rugby at school, university and club level.

"I love rugby," the 44-year-old said.

"And getting other people to love rugby, who maybe have not had that chance has been really rewarding.

"So many of them stopped playing because of bullying, or the perception that they might be bullied, or because there might be a negative reaction to how they choose to live their lives.

"They now have the opportunity to play full contact, high intensity rugby, which is great."

Bolton explained that Colchester Kings was not about any particular sexuality or any particular personal choice. He said anyone wanting to play rugby would be accepted.

"It does not matter if they have played at a high level previously or if they have never touched a ball before. It is safe. It is fun. There is no judgement on anyone."

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