We’ve got you covered with these LGBTQI-friendly sports clubs and communities 🎾⚽️🏀⚾️
BY DANIELLE MUSTARDE. IMAGE GODISABLE JACOB.
With spring just around the corner, the sun making the odd (gleefully welcomed) appearance here and there, and that light March breeze, now is a 💯 time to pick up a new sport. First off, you’re not quite as likely to find yourself sweating profusely after three minutes of moderate exercise like you might in the midst of summer…
And thus, as the days begin to get longer and pulling yourself out of bed in the morning gets that little bit easier, we’ve cobbled together a handful of LGBTQI+ sports clubs and communities to get you moving, #kickthoseleaves people.
RAINBOW ROLLERS
Where? International
Find ’em: tinyurl.com/DIVArainbowrollers
A new social group for lez/bi women around the globe, Rainbow Rollers are all about building community, getting active and offering peer support – while on wheels (both quad and inline, FYI). Created in May 2019, the group welcomes members of all ages, abilities and backgrounds and runs social skating events once or twice monthly. Get rollin’, rollin’, rollin’…
FRONTRUNNERS
Where? International
Find ’em: tinyurl.com/DIVAfrontrunners
Starting life in San Francisco in 1974, International Frontrunners is an affiliation of LGBTQI running (and walking) clubs based in cities around the world. With over 100 clubs internationally – from Glasgow to Newcastle and Liverpool to London to name just a few in the UK – Frontrunners clubs are a space for LGBTQI folk of all gender identities to come together, and run together.
LONDON OTTERS
Where? London, Royal Docks
Find ’em: londonotters.org
The London Otters are an LGBTQI-inclusive rowing club based at the Royal Docks in east London. Welcoming folk of all genders and abilities, though it might take a few weeks to get the hang of your rowing technique, once you’ve got it, you’ve got it. Plus, they’re a bloody lovely bunch (as you can read in the August 2019 issue of DIVA) and, after an hour or two spent on the Thames, you’ll find them in their local having a team beer and lunch. Perfec’. #rowrowrowyerboat
LONDON RAIDERS
Where? London, city-wide
Find ’em: londonraiders.co.uk
An amateur softball club with seven teams, a large development squad – “kind of like a softball school” – and an even bigger social diary, the London Raiders have teams of all abilities in all divisions in the Greater London Mixed Softball League (yes, there’s a league)! As well as having one of the most convincing sports-shaped sales pitches ever (“If we don’t win on the pitch, we win in the pub.”) London Raiders really do have something for people of all fitness levels. Get swingin’.
🎾⚽️🏀⚾️🎾⚽️🏀⚾️🎾⚽️🏀⚾️
What else, DIVA?
Of course, this isn’t an exhaustive list – there are plenty of bloody incredible queer women and non-binary folk out there who’ve created spaces for LGBTQI people who want to get into (or back into) sport.
If you want to be added onto this list for 2020, email danielle@divamag.co.uk and we’ll pop you on!
Only reading DIVA online? You’re missing out. For more news, reviews and commentary, check out the latest issue. It’s pretty badass, if we do say so ourselves.
