SPORTING PRIDE Martin Murray

In 2021, Sporting Pride, the volunteer organisation tasked with getting more members of the LGBTQ+ community active, created a new role of Northern Ireland Liaison Officer to develop Diversity, Equality and Inclusivity (DEI) initiatives across all sports in Northern Ireland.

Since then, Sporting Pride and the NI Liaison Officer has collaborated with many National Governing Bodies (NGBs), including the GAA, LGFA, IFA, IRFU, Rowing Ireland, Athletics Ireland and Squash Ireland, on a number of EDI programmes, which has resulted in the number of Ulster LGBTQ+ inclusive sports clubs increasing from 3 to 10.

In February 2023, Sport NI were invited to Sporting Pride’s AGM in Belfast where they met with Sporting Pride committee members, as well as representatives of some of the LGBTQ+ sports clubs. Among topics discussed were:

• Ways for Sporting Pride to be formally recognised as an official Sport NI partner; including the LGBTQ+ community.

• The need for financial support to help continue with DEI sports programmes specifically targeting LGBTQ+ community members in Northern Ireland.

Unfortunately, since that meeting almost a year ago, there has been little or no communication between Sport NI and Sporting Pride, despite Sporting Pride’s NI Liaison Officer trying to reach out to their Sport NI counterpart a number of times.

Who is Sporting Pride?

Sporting Pride is the recognised sports association for the LGBTQ+ community in Ireland, whose mission is to inspire the LGBTQ+ community to get active.

In light of Richard Archibald’s (Director of Sport, Sport NI) recent interview with the BBC where he revealed that £1 million in funding has not been spent and therefore returned to the Department of Communities, Sporting Pride urges Sport NI to reach out to Sporting Pride - and other sporting organisations representing minority groups – to find ways for future funding to be spent on around diversity, equality and inclusion initiatives, campaigns and programmes specifically targeting those who have traditionally been excluded from sport,

Working closely with Sport Ireland, 60+ National Governing Bodies (NGBs), 29 Local Sport Partnerships (LSPs), third level institutions and 40 LGBTQ+ sport clubs, Sporting Pride aims to:

• Increase the number of LGBTQ+ people leading active lives; and

• Promote the positive benefits of fitness and exercise to one’s physical and mental health and well-being.

We want to help sporting organisations develop inclusive programmes that will continue breaking down barriers, increase participation rates and making sport in Ireland a safe and welcoming place for the LGBTQ+ community at all levels, whether players, supporters, coaches, officials or volunteers.

For further information, please contact:

Martin Murray, Sporting Pride

E: martin.murray@sportingpride.ie

T: 07746 097323

W: www.sportingpride.ie