Steelers - The Pride of London
London Pride may have been cancelled but Kings Cross Steelers still done London proud with a festival event.
Kicking off at 7:30pm, at the Steelers Stadium in West Ham, there were two 15-a-side matches against London Scottish Lions, who have played two friendlies against Steelers before. London Stags, the capital’s other gay and inclusive club, also ran out at the Steelers ground for the first time, having hosted them once before.
There was a touch rugby tournament, with the East London Vixens, the Steelers’ partner women’s team involved. Among the supporters there on the night were the RFU’s Chair Tom Ilube, and President Jeff Blackett. Former England captain Chris Robshaw also went along.
"The event was a celebration of LGBTQ+ rugby in London and, in the absence of London Pride, a recognition of the inclusivity of rugby," said Steelers Chair, Matt Webb. "Together with the RFU’s support of the Steelers documentary, having Tom and Jeff as guests was another example of how seriously the senior team at the RFU take inclusion."
Steelers continue to go from strength to strength and there were donations on the gate for the charities they support: the Terence Higgins Trust and Diversity Role Models.
