Salford Red Devils and Keighley Cougars proudly flew the Rugby League flag at Manchester’s Pride parade last weekend (Saturday 26 August).
The parade is one of the highlights of the annual, four-day Pride Festival which celebrates the city’s LGBTQ+ community, and raises thousands of pounds for LGBTQ+ good causes.
Players from the Red Devils’ women’s, and physical and learning disability sides took part, while Keighley Cougars players joined the club’s co-owners and same-sex couple, Ryan O’Neill and Kaue Garcia, on the Cougars’ float.
Salford Red Devils had designated last Friday’s Betfred Super League match against Wakefield Trinity as ‘Pride Round’ and were making a second successive appearance at Pride.
Paul King, Managing Director of Salford Red Devils, says: “We were delighted to once again be supporting Pride and to dedicate last Friday’s fixture to celebrating our LGBTQ+ community. We are committed to our club being reflective of our community – all of our community – and to ensuring that anyone and everyone feels welcome at the Salford Stadium. Taking part in Saturday’s parade was a huge honour for the club.”
Keighley Cougars are also renowned champions of inclusion and diversity, and hold an annual Pride fixture – staged this year against Whitehaven in June.
Ryan O’Neill, co-owner of Keighley Cougars, said: “At Keighley Cougars everyone is welcome, just as should be the case in any sports club or organisation. Through sports children learn valuable life skills, including socialising and forming lifelong friendships. By nurturing a culture of acceptance from the grassroots level, we aim to create an environment where anyone struggling with their identity feels embraced and valued.”
RFL Inclusion Lead, Ben Abberstein, adds: “Both clubs should be applauded for championing the values of inclusion and diversity. The clubs will be stronger in the long run for all the progress they are making now and Rugby League itself will be a stronger sport too – one that is truly representative of all its communities.”
This year, many professional Rugby League clubs have been delivering inclusion fixtures under the banner of ‘RL Together’ – an opportunity for clubs to showcase the development work they do both within their clubs and the wider community, where collectively they are strengthening foundations and making new connections with diverse groups and individuals. RL Together is delivered in association with ‘Tackle It’, the game-wide action plan to promote diversity, tackle discrimination and break down barriers to involvement in Rugby League.
