All 12 Betfred Super League clubs will join together in June to support Stonewall’s Rainbow Laces campaign. Although the campaign usually takes place in December during the off-season, Super League have held talks with Stonewall, Sky Sports and all clubs and will now acknowledge the campaign during the regular season.
Round 9, taking place between the 10-12 June, will highlight the importance of issues surrounding discrimination based on sexuality and gender identity, as well as the positive work done both within the sport and the wider community.
Super League Executive Chairman, Ken Davy said, “Matters of inclusivity and diversity are important not only in sport but also the wider communities in which our clubs exist so it is great to see clubs, players, match officials and fans coming together in support of this campaign.”
All match officials and players will be provided with Stonewall rainbow laces for this weekend while LED perimeter boards at stadiums will highlight the campaign and supportive messaging will feature across Super League social media channels.
“Sport should be a welcoming and inclusive place for everyone who wants to play,” Liz Ward, Director of Programmes (she/her) at Stonewall commented. “It’s great that Super League is committed to supporting its lesbian, gay, bi and trans players all year round, and we will keep working with them to help make sport everyone’s game.”
Meanwhile Steve Smith, Executive Director of Content at Sky Sports added, “It is great to see the Betfred Super League’s support of Stonewall’s Rainbow Laces campaign to demonstrate that sport is for everyone – whether you are playing, watching from the stands or from your living room, and we look forward to seeing this show of support on our screens.”
Round 9 will form part of a wider, three round focus based upon Betfred Super League’s “Tackle the Tough Stuff” campaign, more details of which will be confirmed in the coming weeks.
Super League’s commitment to the Rainbow Laces campaign is an important part of the sport’s wider anti-discrimination campaign Tackle IT! – details of which can be found here.
Main image courtesy of SWPix.com
