A new LGBT+ supporters group has been created by Yorkshire County Cricket Club in a move to boost inclusion and community participation in the sport.
The creation of the new supporter’s group – named Yorkshire and Proud – is part of a range of steps being taken by the club to support equity, diversity and inclusion in all areas of the Club.
The new supporter’s group for Yorkshire Cricket fans is open to both members of the LGBT+ community and allies, heterosexual cis-gendered people who actively support the lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, and queer (or questioning) communities.
In launching the group, the county cricket club hopes to bring together and foster a love of cricket in people from all backgrounds.
Becca Garrard, the founder of Yorkshire and Proud, and a Digital content Executive at Yorkshire County Cricket Club, said: “The Yorkshire family is delighted to launch our Yorkshire & Proud LGBT+ Supporters Group and this is an important step towards ensuring Headingley is a welcoming place for all.”
To show their support for these members of their community, the club will be taking steps to celebrate Pride during the community themed T20 double header match, when Yorkshire Vikings take on Derbyshire Falcons followed by the Northern Diamonds against the Southern Vipers, on Sunday, 4 June.
The Club are also supporting the creation of the first LGBT+ cricket team in Leeds following on from the set-up up of Graces Cricket Club, founded in 1996, the only LGBT+ cricket in the world until the Birmingham Unicorns were established in 2021.
Pictured, the Birmingham Unicorns in a team huddle. Photo credit: Chris J Turner Photography
In addition Yorkshire Cricket is supporting and presenting at the second ever LGBTQ+ Inclusion in Cricket Conference in July this year, hosted by the social enterprise Out 4 Cricket, at Lords, which will bring together stakeholders across cricket to share learning and build an inclusive sport.
The setting up of an inclusive supporters group in Yorkshire is backed by Out 4 Cricket, which helps cricket teams around the country to create environments that are welcoming to people of all backgrounds, to increase community participation in the sport.
Lachlan Smith, one of the founders of Out 4 Cricket, and the founder of Birmingham Unicorns, said: “Making cricket as inclusive as possible for all members of the LGBT+ community is at the heart of what we do at Out4Cricket.
“Supporting Yorkshire as they develop inclusive policies and practices at the club has been incredibly important, and it is great to see the supporter’s group be established. It is one of several new supporter groups emerging across cricket.”
Stephen Vaughan, Chief Executive Officer at Yorkshire Cricket, said: “Yorkshire and Proud is open to all members of the LGBT+ community as well as LGBT+ allies.
“By launching this group, the Yorkshire Cricket family hopes to provide the opportunity for more people from a range of different backgrounds to come together and share in their love of cricket.
“The creation of the new supporter’s group is one of many initiatives Yorkshire Cricket is committed to in order to support equity, diversity and inclusion in all areas of the Club and reflect Yorkshire’s rich and vibrant community.”
For more information please visit here.
And follow the LGBT+ supporters group on @YCCCAndProud
