26 Jun 2020
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12
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England Rugby supporting Pride 2020
England Rugby is supporting Pride 2020 this weekend despite the postponement of the London parade.
Last year, the Kings Cross Steelers, the world’s first gay and inclusive rugby club, hosted England Rugby representatives in their first Pride in London march on Saturday 6 July through the streets of the capital.
The RFU’s chief financial officer Sue Day and former England internationals Chris Robshaw and James Haskell were part of the celebrations in the capital last year.
This year the RFU wanted to march as England Rugby to demonstrate to the world that we are committed to creating opportunities for all to work in or play rugby regardless of age, race, ability, gender, sexual orientation or background. We are an inclusive and diverse family who stand up for what we believe in – sport is for all.
Now into the second year of a partnership with Stonewall, England Rugby wants you to help create a more inclusive culture for LGBT people.
To do that, Stonewall are asking for volunteers to sign up to join either a Train the Trainer or Role Model course to combat discrimination.
Train the Trainer
The Train the Trainer course provides the knowledge, tools and confidence to train colleagues on tackling homophobic, biphobic and transphobic (HBT) bullying, and supporting lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT) people.
You can book up to join a course taking place on the afternoon and evening of 22 and 29 July - click here.
Role models
The Role Models programme aims to deliver skills, tools and confidence to empower LGBT coaches, players and fans to be a role model within their rugby club/community, helping to create a more inclusive culture for LGBT people.
It will help participants to recognise the importance of being a role model and role modelling inclusive behaviours, to develop a clear action plan detailing how they will be a role model within their rugby community a have a better understanding of other LGBT people and how they can be role models for them.
It also guides participants to develop new key ways to practice self-care, provides a network of supportive role models in rugby and become a part of the Stonewall Alumni community to facilitate further development and support.
We are yet to set dates for the Role Model training programme, however, we expect these sessions to take place in August.
Role Model Profiles
Sue Day
- Connection to rugby: take your pick, currently RFU COO/CFO, former Wasps & England 7s and 15s player & captain, former Wasps FC president and holder of many other roles (chair of playing, fixtures sec, coach, you name it!)
- What do you love most about rugby: the friendships and sense of community that stay with you for life
- Many people we hope will benefit from our work with Stonewall will be under 25. If you had to give your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be?: Come out sooner at work. Whilst it’s hard to find the words to have the conversation, given what you’ve heard some of your co-workers say, it will be so much easier once you’ve done it. You’ll be able to be 100% yourself at work, with no omissions and no caveats, and that will make a huge difference to you.
- Why is it important to you to be a role model: It’s so much easier to feel accepted when you can see other people like you. I want to be the person who would have enabled the younger me to come out sooner; not the person whose hurtful words pushed me back into the closet for another decade.
- What are your hopes and dreams for the future of rugby union in England?: That every child has the same opportunity to get involved and enjoy rugby and is equally accepted; that every adult has the same opportunity to progress and enjoy the benefits of rugby as a player, coach, referee or administrator.
Lucy Callingham
- Connection to rugby: England Rugby Community Coach, Head Coach Women’s 1st XV at Hove RFC and University of Brighton WRFC.
- What do you love most about rugby: All my life I have been involved in sport, but nothing quite captured me like rugby. The core value of respect really is something unique in our culture. It’s something I ingrain within all aspects of my work and coaching. From your team mates to the opposition, the referees and club volunteers, we treat everyone with value and welcome everyone to get involved.
- Many people we hope will benefit from our work with Stonewall will be under 25. If you had to give your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be?: Keep following what you love! Be driven by your passions and take every opportunity you get. You’ll meet some amazing people along the way and have some wonderful experiences. Some days will be harder than others, but you’re stronger than you know and those you love will be there for you. Don’t be afraid to be who you are in all aspects of your life.
- Why is it important to you to be a role model: When I think about some of my personal role models, I relate to their stories and experiences and think about how I can apply them to situations I’m facing or opportunities I can also find. I hope by being able to share some of my stories with others I will be able to help others find and share some of the wonderful opportunities I have had through rugby.
- What are your hopes and dreams for the future of rugby union in England?: I hope England Rugby continue to work with brilliant groups such as Stonewall to openly show support of the LGBT+ people; as well as other groups and communities that may have barriers to access sport. I would love rugby union to grow and be the number one choice when it comes to team sports.
Nick Heath
- Connection to rugby: My Dad was a ref in Bucks for 25 years and my sister Siobhan started the women’s rugby team at Sussex university in 1987 so the family ties to the game have always been strong. Alongside a love of union, I began playing Touch in 2007. In 2018 I played for England at the European Touch Championships, running out with the England Men’s 35s. I have also worked as a broadcaster in rugby since 2009, commentating on the 6 Nations, Rugby World Cup, Gallagher Premiership, Rugby Championship and Champions Cup to name a few. Having played Touch for 13 years, I’m pleased to have launched an initiative this year with my husband called ‘Pride In Touch’. Given the sports’ network of players in every country, we wanted to come up with a unifying playing vest that players could wear all over the world as a symbol to show that Touch is a sport for all. In our first run of orders, we’ve sold over 400 vests and signed up 25 supporting clubs, all of whom have their logos featuring side-by-side on the vest. In doing so, we’ve raised over £1000 for charity which will go towards LGBT+ inclusion in sport.
- What do you love most about rugby: It has to be the camaraderie and the role that respect plays in the game that promotes such a great team ethic. You give it everything, you win or you lose and you buy your opponent a drink after the game. It’s this respect that I think is the foundation to why the rugby family broadly supports the LGBT+ community so positively. Like what happens on the pitch doesn’t matter in the bar, it should be the same for your sexuality and who you are.
- Advice to younger self: Get comfortable feeling uncomfortable. From challenging yourself professionally, to being LGBT+ and navigating a heterosexual world, be bold. That’s not to dismiss being sensitive too but developing, progressing and winning are all done best when driven by you and not anyone else.
- Why is it important to you to be a role model: For visibility. Seeing LGBT+ individuals in a myriad of roles and walks of life might not only help inspire young LGBT+ folk but should also help to normalise the perception of LGBT+ people to the wider world. The more we can do to reduce stigma, to educate and to show that LGBT+ people are part of the fabric of everyday society, the easier it will be for the next generation.
- Hopes and dreams for rugby: I’d like to see participation at grassroots level increase in the men’s game, to reinforce that part of the rugby community. I would also like to demystify the game for those to whom it broadly appeals but to whom it also appears confusing and hard to understand. I would like to see the elite side of the women’s game flourish and achieve a level to rival the men’s elite game for attention. In the short term, I’d like to see the game and all clubs come through this huge challenge the world is facing and recover strongly.
Dean Bee
- Connection to rugby: I have played since school but have spent the last 15 years being part of the LGBT community and have spent the last 5 years in promoting rugby for more clubs and members to take part. Chair of IGR and member of Manchester Spartans
- What do you love most about rugby: Playing and competing was always my biggest passion however I feel that my true love to rugby is being part of an amazing rugby family!
- Many people we hope will benefit from our work with Stonewall will be under 25. If you had to give your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be?: It was only down to joining an LGBT club that I met similar people which allowed for me to realise and feel comfortable with being gay. I wish I joined earlier and had realised sooner.
- Why is it important to you to be a role model: I would hope that some of my achievements and experiences will inspire others to believe in themselves to achieve their goals.
- What are your hopes and dreams for the future of rugby union in England?: Covid19 has caused a lot of issues for everyone and I really hope that rugby makes a full recovery and that people re engage and get back to being involved in rugby.
Josh Brekenfeld
- What’s you connection to rugby?: I am proud to serve as a Board member and Executive Committee member for London Scottish Rugby club – a fantastic outfit which has a fantastic history playing rugby in London for over 100 years. I have been a fan of London Scottish for a while – really since I moved to London 7 years ago, although I picked up the love for the game while attending university in Glasgow. Before I arrived in Scotland, I’d never seen or experienced rugby as it was an unknown sport in the USA at that time. I am really glad to see that is changing and rugby is really starting to take off in the states!
- What do you love most about rugby?: The sense of community. The sense of togetherness. I have never seen anything like it in the fans or players of any other sport. There is a pride in the game, and respect amongst the players and fans. At its core rugby has the values that are at the heart of a diverse and inclusive culture… and its one hell of a game to watch!
- Many people we hope will benefit from our work with Stonewall will be under 25. If you had to give your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be?: I am not sure you could have told my 25 year old self anything that I would have listed to! But I would say remember your manners, and remember to be kind. Lead with curiosity, stick to what you believe but admit it when you are wrong.
- Why is it important to you to be a role model?: Because you cannot be what you cannot see. I did not come out until I left university – what got me across the line was meeting people that I could relate to, maybe even fall in love with. But even then – I held off coming out in the work place. Why? Because I did not think you could have a career and be out. It was not until I started meeting role models that I learned that it was possible. For me, being a role model is not about being perfect – its about being visible.
- What are your hopes and dreams for the future of rugby union in England?: I want to see a future where rugby union is a real community based sport – where each team is seen as an open and inclusive place for folks to come and enjoy the game. Its not just about the top pack clubs – its about gathering all communities together and creating a place to be. It’s a future where players embrace the culture of their clubs and lead the sporting world in inclusivity.
