Kings Cross Steelers lead the way for LGBT rugby
For 20 years Kings Cross Steelers have battled against perceptions and stereotypes. There have been financial worries and recruitment issues but against all odds the world’s first gay rugby team have emerged as a real success story.
Over 100 players are warmed up and ready to train when EnglandRugby.com visited the team last week, a normal turnout for a club which has over 200 members representing 20 different nationalities and has inspired the creation of more than 50 other LGBT rugby clubs around the world.
An incredible achievement when you consider that the club was founded in a pub by six men in 1996 with the aim of giving gay and bisexual men an open and inclusive environment to play rugby.
Lord Robert Hayward, who became the Steelers’ first Chairman in 1996, remembers the early days of their existence.
“It was extremely hard early on," he said. "There were several times that we came close to having to give it all up. We were struggling financially, had difficulty recruiting players and there was also a perception issue. At the time, HIV and AIDS were things people knew of but didn’t speak about and starting a club in that environment was incredibly difficult.”
Lord Hayward recalls the Steeler’s first match, a 92-10 loss. “It took a long time to get enough players together and when we did we had five guys who had never played before alongside two who had played semi-professionally abroad. Keeping those top level players interested while continuing to recruit was the biggest challenge.”
Gradually the club began to grow and from humble beginnings now fields four teams every weekend with the 1st XV playing in Essex 1 while also offering a pathway to rugby programme to encourage new people into the sport.
For current 1st XV back row Caspar Swanston, the club has offered a route back into rugby: “I came out as gay to my local club when I was 18 and was overwhelmed by the response. My friends and teammates were incredibly supportive and so when I left University and was struggling to find my feet I was looking for a rugby club to join.
"I found out about the Steelers and have been welcomed in. I think you find that sort of family atmosphere at every rugby club, that's why the sport is so special, and for me the Steelers doesn't feel any different to any other club."
Alex Smith, club chairman who recently retired from the 1st XV, says the club plays an important role in London’s LGBT community, helping players like Caspar back into the game.
“Everyone at the club has a different story but for me the most important thing is the camaraderie," said Smith. "Some guys here haven’t felt they can be open in other places but it’s different here and I think we encapsulate the best of rugby’s values.”
