East London Rugby Club on Saturday (25 November) supported the Stonewall charity's Rainbow Laces campaign against homophobia in sport.
First team players in the London 3 Essex league game away at Clacton wore coloured laces in their boots to back the campaign which was also promoted by Premier League footballers and Aviva Premiership rugby clubs across the country.
East London skipper Dan Bracken said: “We were proud to support Stonewall and the Rainbow Laces campaign. The lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community is an important and integral part of our East London rugby family and the wider Newham community. We believe rugby’s core values of respect, teamwork and sportsmanship resonate with what is at the heart of the campaign. We are committed to ensuring that East London Rugby Club is an inclusive and welcoming environment for all.”
East London share their facilities at the Memorial Ground with Kings Cross Steelers Rugby Club, the world’s first gay inclusive rugby team.
Members of East London Vixens ladies team will also wear the laces in their home match against Barnes Ladies on 3 December.