Yorkshire Cricket Club, one of England’s prominent cricket teams, has taken a significant step toward fostering inclusivity in the sport by establishing Yorkshire & Proud, an LGBTQ+ supporters group. The club aims to encourage greater participation from the LGBTQ+ community and its allies, creating an environment where everyone feels welcome. Led by Becca Gerrard, the founder of the group, this initiative seeks to ensure that Headingley, the club’s home ground, becomes a place of acceptance for all individuals.
Supporting LGBTQ+ Cricket Clubs and Inclusive Policies
In addition to launching Yorkshire & Proud, Yorkshire Cricket Club is lending its support to the establishment of Leeds’ first LGBTQ+ cricket club. This collaborative effort showcases the club’s commitment to championing inclusivity within cricket. To further strengthen their endeavors, Yorkshire has partnered with Out 4 Cricket, an organization dedicated to promoting inclusiveness in cricket across the United Kingdom. Out 4 Cricket assists cricket teams nationwide in making the sport more welcoming and inclusive for members of the LGBTQ+ community.
Lachlan Smith, founder of Out 4 Cricket and the Birmingham Unicorns, one of the world’s only LGBTQ+ cricket clubs, expressed his enthusiasm for Yorkshire Cricket Club’s efforts. Smith stated, “Supporting Yorkshire as they develop inclusive policies and practices at the club has been incredibly important, and it is great to see the supporter’s group be established.”
Promoting Pride and Celebrating Inclusivity
Yorkshire Cricket Club has timed the launch of Yorkshire & Proud to coincide with the commencement of Pride month on 1 June. As part of their commitment to promoting inclusivity, the club plans to celebrate Pride during a T20 double header at Headingley on 4 June. The Yorkshire Vikings will face off against the Derbyshire Falcons, followed by the Northern Diamonds taking on the Southern Vipers. This occasion will serve as an opportunity to demonstrate Yorkshire Cricket Club’s dedication to fostering an inclusive and diverse community.
Stephen Vaughan, Yorkshire’s chief executive officer, emphasized the club’s vision of bringing together individuals from diverse backgrounds to share their passion for cricket. He stated, “We hope to provide the opportunity for more people from a range of different backgrounds to come together and share in their love of cricket.”
Commitment to Equality and Inclusion
Yorkshire Cricket Club’s efforts toward inclusivity come in the wake of the club’s acknowledgment of previous failures to address racist and discriminatory language. In response to allegations made by former player Azeem Rafiq, the club has pledged to undertake a thorough evaluation of its equality and inclusion practices through a rigorous audit conducted by the National Centre for Diversity. By actively pursuing improvements in this area, Yorkshire Cricket Club aims to rectify past shortcomings and ensure a future marked by equality, inclusivity, and respect.
In embracing the LGBTQ+ community through the establishment of Yorkshire & Proud, Yorkshire Cricket Club takes a significant stride toward creating a more inclusive and welcoming environment for all individuals involved in the sport. This endeavor signifies a commitment to progress and sets a positive precedent for the cricketing world to follow.