3 minute read
GOOD SPORTS The love of a particular sporting activity brings many people together. Steve Ashfield gets the lowdown on SEA SERPENTS
Here we take look at what it’s like to be part of a local sporting club with views from Sea Serpents RFC
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Power and speed required: Rugby Union isn’t for the faint-hearted, though it’s a sport that has a few different sides to it. Becoming a member of the Sea Serpents will see you playing a tough sport with plenty of action in the scrum as attempts are made to win the ball. Then it’s the turn of the fast-running backs to attempt and get past their opponents to score a try.
STARTING THE JOURNEY
Making that first step is often difficult but the results can be so rewarding. .
J Byron Todd had experience of playing Rugby Union before arriving in Brighton. A lack of self-confidence had initially held him back from joining the Kings Cross Steelers, but he eventually went to a training session. “When I arrived in the changing room for the first time, I was scared that this group of gay men were going to judge me on my body or who I was. They were judging me, but on what position I could take in the team.” On his arrival in Brighton in 2015, plans soon began to form a team. Working with Ian (now chairman), an initial meeting was held in the Camelford Arms. To their delight and surprise, 30 people turned up. Training sessions began in Queen’s Park with ball-handing games and tug of war and so began the Brighton & Hove Sea Serpents RFC.
Sharing the love for your sport
Being a member of a sporting community isn’t just about playing. You join a group that shares the deep feelings you have for that particular sport. Life has changed for Byron too. He had struggled to fit in with any particular group on the gay scene. Rather than being on the fringe of a scene, he became fully involved in the Sea Serpents. “Being part of gay and inclusive team has given me purpose, community and enabled me to meet and understand a wide variety of people, which has greatly enriched my life.”
It’s not just in Brighton & Hove or the local area that the Sea Serpents play. Damian talks of his travels to Amsterdam, Madrid, Dublin and Japan. He tells us that “being a member of this team will broaden your world”.
Is being part of a group empowering?
The unanimous opinion of those we’ve interviewed is yes. Being part of a team has helped Byron build up his confidence. “It’s helped me find the ability to do things and go places my younger self had never thought possible and playing rugby has helped me find the person that I wanted to be.”
Any downsides?
We’ve heard a great deal of positivity about being part of a sporting community but are there any downsides? The main problem that Byron and his fellow players have is just enjoying rugby a bit too much. More time spent playing and training with your rugby family can mean less time around other friends and relatives. That’s understandable with the Sea Serpents often travelling to tournaments.
Living through lockdown...
Being part of a sports team hasn’t been easy of late, with fixtures postponed and restrictions
B&H Sea Serpents RFC
making training impossible. Our locals have had to adapt to the situation. They’ve been inventive and again that spirit of togetherness has been important. The pandemic has caused mass disruption for sporting fixtures. That’s hit the Sea Serpents and Byron admits it was difficult to deal with. “Some of the guys live for training and getting their boots on and being with the team.” Again, the closeness of the members has shone through with them keen to support each other. Everything is aimed at ensuring they’re ready for when ”we can get back on the pitch or in a bar again”. Their coach, Tom, has been setting exercise tasks. Members have loved that and can’t resist filming themselves. Even their supporters have been doing press-ups and running. There have also been online rugby classes and virtual quizzes with other teams from the international gay rugby community.
F Sea Serpents: bhssrfc/
