Premiership Rugby, its title partner insurance broker Gallagher and broadcaster BT Sport have announced their support for Rainbow Laces, the campaign run by Stonewall to promote LGBT inclusion in sport.
To celebrate and show their ongoing support of the campaign, a special “rainbow” Gallagher Premiership Rugby logo will again be used through all matches in Round 3 this weekend, when all matches will be shown live on BT Sport.
As part of the commitment:
- Match official shirts will carry the rainbow version of the Gallagher Premiership Rugby logo
- Players will be sent Rainbow Laces and invited to wear them in the matches in Round 3
- Branding at matches will carry Rainbow Laces messaging or be turned rainbow to celebrate the weekend, including flags used by assistant referees
- Premiership Rugby’s social media accounts will have Rainbow branding
- LEDs pitchside supporting the campaign
- Premiership Rugby and Gallagher – through their social media channels – will run a Rainbow Laces photographic competition with the winner receiving signed shirts and boots
The weekend forms part of Premiership Rugby’s commitment to inclusion.
Wayne Morris, community and CSR director at Premiership Rugby, said: “This is our fifth season supporting the Rainbow Laces campaign and we are delighted to join again with Gallagher and BT Sport to be allies to all the LGBT people involved in Premiership Rugby.
“We strive every day to be the most welcoming league in the world. Like Stonewall, we want rugby to be everyone’s game and we are prepared to play our part to make this happen.
“One of Premiership Rugby’s key objectives along with our clubs is to celebrate diversity, and we strive to make our competitions and activities available and enjoyable to as many people as possible in whatever capacity they wish.”
This year Premiership Rugby is calling on fans, players and the rugby community across the country to get involved in the campaign by buying their own laces, wearing them and posting their pictures on social media under #RainbowLaces.
“Rugby is already an inclusive sport but over 40 per cent of LGBT people don’t feel welcome at public sporting events. We’d like everyone to take an extra step this month and go out of their way to help us put an end to discrimination and ensure LGBT people feel welcome whether watching or taking part in sport. We want to take action together,” Morris added.
“This is so important when the pandemic has had such an impact on all of us, increasing isolation and affecting people’s mental health. The community we find in rugby is so important and it’s vital that LGBT people fully benefit from it.”
“When we wear our Rainbow Laces we set a compelling example to the rugby community so join with us in 2020 in becoming LGBT allies.”
