Premiership Rugby is dedicating Rounds 17 and 18 of Gallagher Premiership Rugby to Stonewall’s Rainbow Laces campaign as part of our mission to improve inclusion, supported by our title partner Gallagher.
As Rainbow Laces celebrates its 10th Anniversary, Premiership Rugby is proud to announce its support for a seventh season. The campaign aims to promote equality and inclusivity within sport for LGBTQ+ people and tackle discrimination on every level to help make sport everyone’s game.
Throughout both Round 17 of Gallagher Premiership Rugby (17-19 February) and 18, the special “rainbow” Gallagher Premiership Rugby logo will once again be highly visible at matches with players wearing Rainbow Laces in their matches over the weekend. In addition, the match officials will wear specially designed Rainbow Laces shirts and the assistant referees will carry rainbow flags.
Harlequins scrum-half \*\*Danny Care\*\* said: “Wearing these laces might not seem that significant but it makes a huge difference. Our show of support helps spark conversations around the inclusion of LGBTQ+ people within rugby and raise awareness of the issues they face at all levels within the sport. Rainbow Laces might be 10 years old, but there is still work to be done to make everyone feel like they belong and we are proud to stand side by side with Stonewall.”
As part of Premiership Rugby and Gallagher’s commitment to the Rainbow Laces campaign:
- Match official shirts will carry the special rainbow version of the Gallagher Premiership Rugby logo
- All Gallagher Premiership Rugby players will be sent Rainbow Laces and invited to wear them in the matches in Rounds 17 and 18
- Branding at matches will carry Rainbow Laces messaging or be turned rainbow to celebrate the weekend. This will include the flags used by assistant referees and this season will see Gallagher update the post pads in support
- Gallagher employees from across the UK will hand out Rainbow Laces to supporters at matches in Rounds 17 and 18
- All Premiership Rugby’s social media accounts will have Rainbow branding
- LEDs pitchside will support the campaign
- Premiership Rugby have partnered with Gilbert to produce a special ball and scrum cap to celebrate Rainbow Laces
All supporters and partners are invited to get involved by purchasing and wearing their Rainbow Laces to show support. To buy Rainbow Laces click here
Five rugby lads who are out and proud
RUCK wanted to celebrate five out and proud rugby stars. Their focus? How we can collectively align to take action that drives change on and off the pitch.
1. Nigel Owens
All fans, players, and anyone who knows anything about rugby will know the name, Nigel Owens. Besides having the record for most test matches refereed, Owens has earned a reputation as one of the top rugby referees around the world.
The Welshman is also a TV personality and a devoted activist for the LGBT cause, winning “Gay Sports Personality of the Decade” at the Stonewall awards ceremony in London back in 2015.
