Top tips for creating an inclusive sports club

Focus on enjoyment 

“Everyone’s welcome here. You don’t have to play matches straight away if you don’t want to. Come along for training and fitness if you want. And when you feel ready, you can ask to be brought into the team.

“At other clubs, you train to take those skills into the next game. But here, you train to enjoy yourself and have fun,” Harry Cope, flanker

Set up a development or inclusive team

“Establish a development team that is friendly and light-hearted. It’s a good way to engage with the community, whatever their ability. You can approach parents on the sidelines and suggest they give the development team a try. 

Promote your allyship for LGBTQ+ communities

“On social media, clubs could do more to signal their support of LGBTQ+ communities and others from different backgrounds to make people feel more welcome. It helps develop an inclusive culture,” Stuart Valentine, captain and scrum half

Be open, honest and friendly

“My top advice if you’re setting up an inclusive side is to be open, honest and friendly. We have gay players, we have straight players – we’re all the same. We just want to play some rugby! We have a player who has a stammer and his confidence has grown massively. Often, joining a first or second side at a club is too much.  Here, you can learn the basics and enjoy it. 

“We look after people. It’s a safe space. We involve everybody and we’re nice – it’s not rocket science really is it?” Brendan O’Malley, coach

Engage beyond the LGBTQ+ community

“When we first started, we were set up and labelled as a LGBTQ+ club but it’s now evolved to be fully inclusive. We attend all the local Prides and invite people from the LGBTQ+ community to join, but we just want to give people a safe space to enjoy our sport, regardless of their sexuality.

Don’t judge

“I’m an Army veteran and I suffer with PTSD. Leaving the army five years ago was a really low point in my life. This team’s really helped me. Sexuality doesn’t come into it. You‘re not going to be judged here. This club makes you feel welcome. But it’s more than just a club. It’s a lifeline,” Taff Williams, Flanker

Have an open day

“I think more clubs should have inclusive teams and they should have open days to spread the word. Promote it on social media. Explain there’s no pressure, no judgement - everyone’s welcome no matter what, regardless of gender, age, sexuality, ability - just come and see what you think. That’s the best way to bring anyone into a team sport,” Matthew Warburton, centre

Create a welcoming environment 

“There’s often a lot of “lad” culture involved in rugby. If we can step away from that a little bit and work to be more inclusive, then everyone will be better off. Post-game, a lot of jeering and necking of pints isn’t always very welcoming. Rugby’s full of big burly men over 16 stone which can be intimidating so we must work a bit harder to be welcoming,” Tom Robinson, Inside Centre (Player Coach)

Focus on the needs of individuals

“I was playing for Wrecsam Rugby Club and noticed five or six guys doing their own thing on the next pitch. I realised they needed a bit of coaching and that’s when I jumped in as a player-coach.

My advice would be to look for people who need a bit of help,” Tom Robinson, Inside Centre (Player Coach)

Appoint an Inclusion Officer

“Life’s evolving and sport needs to evolve too. 

Adapt to skill levels

“I came back into rugby after a 15-year break. I went training with the seconds at Wrexham Rugby Club but discovered it was too much, too soon. I’m using the inclusive team as a stepping stone. Everyone’s been super welcoming, no questions asked about my background – it’s just a case of if you enjoy rugby and you want to play, then play. The Rhinos take into consideration everyone’s skill level. Everyone just has a laugh and has a good time,” Andy Purviss, Second Row.

Collaborate with local organisations

“It’s a good idea to work with different organisations that share your values so you can reach more people. Our team collaborated with The Counselling Hub to help raise funds for them. We’re really into how we can improve our mental health through coming together and playing rugby so it felt like a good partnership and we were able to promote what we do to new people,” Stuart Valentine, captain and scrum half

Be alert to those not joining in

“As coaches, if we see someone at the side who seems to be a bit out of sorts or not joining in, one of us goes over straight away to find out what’s going on, what we can change and we sort it there and then.

“We have a young player with autism. When he started with us, he was wary of physical touch, he didn’t speak to anyone and wore leather gloves to catch the ball. Now he’s in the mix, playing full contact, chatting with everyone, high fiving and catching the ball. He’s a completely different person. He’s an absolute success story,” Tom Robinson, Inside Centre (Player Coach)

Approach your local club

“If you are thinking of starting a LGBTQ+ or an inclusive side, approach your local club and explain that you want to be accessible for everyone – that means you’ll adapt training to suit everyone and the focus is on camaraderie and understanding. Promote it on social media and explain that you welcome people of all genders and sexuality,” Stevie Harris, founder

If you want more advice, get in touch with Wrecsam Rhinos on Facebook. Or follow them on Instagram or TikTok.