Accreditation helps clubs to become stronger, more effective, efficient and enjoyable places in which to play rugby and provides a framework to show what a club is doing, how it does it and where it can improve.

To gain accreditation Manchester Village Spartans showed that they can recruit and retain players, provide high quality coaching, manage and govern the club and are integrated well with their local community, alongside demonstrating rugby’s core values.

Congratulating the Spartans after a home game presentation, Bryan Davies, President of Cheshire RFU said, “We want to help Manchester Village Spartans continue to successfully attract members and run their club well so they can go on thriving at the very heart of the LGBT and local Sale communities that they’re a proud part of.”

Dean Bee, club Chairman added, “Our club’s nearly 20 years old now and we’ve gone through some significant growth over the past three years to be currently running three men’s teams and a mixed-gender touch rugby team.

“Being RFU Accredited is a great way of being able to work closely with our RFU Rugby Development Officer to find ways of getting our club to the next level and continue to provide a pathway to rugby for adults regardless of gender, sexuality or rugby ability.”

As England representative for International Gay Rugby (IGR), Dean has worked to grow inclusive rugby in the wider LGBT community across England with funding from the RFU and Spirit of Rugby 2012. This has already led to the creation of three new clubs, including the Liverpool Tritons and, in 2017, the Sheffield Vulcans and Chester Centurions following a Summer Pride Tour and national radio and Facebook campaign called Fear Less. Give Rugby a Try, which will continue this year.