Football clubs Shelbourne and Bohemian announce Pride tournaments

Both teams share exciting new LGBTQ+ inclusive initiatives ahead of the 2023 Pride season including a Pride festival and first-ever Pride of Dalymount Cup.

Community . Written by Nicole Lee.

Football players in blue and red jerseys stand side by side with rainbow coloured football ahead of Dublin Pride season.
Image: Twitter @bfcdublin

This week, the Shelbourne and Bohemian football clubs announced new LGBTQ+ inclusive initiatives ahead of the 2023 Dublin Pride season.

Shelbourne FC is launching an annual tournament called the Shelbourne FC Pride Cup which will celebrate diversity in Irish football. The ‘5-a-side for Pride’ event will be held in Tolka Park on Saturday, June 17, from 2:00-5:00 pm.

The tournament is part of their 2023 Pride Festival, which in addition to The Pride Cup, includes an evening Pride Party at the Tolka Park on June 9, an appearance in the Dublin Pride Parade on June 24, and a Rainbow Reds Fundraiser which will benefit a local LGBTQ+ charity.

 

 

The Pride Cup will include 16 teams, and it “promises to be a fun and inclusive tournament that will take place at Tolka Park on Saturday, June 17, 2023, from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm.”

The teams will be made up of Shelbourne legends, senior men and women, talented Ireland internationals, as well as clubs and groups from the local community. Limited edition Rainbow Reds t-shirts will be available for purchase, and all proceeds will support a Dublin-based LGBTQ+ charity.

John McGouran, community officer at Shelbourne FC, says: “We are incredibly proud to launch the Shelbourne FC Pride Cup, and our expanded Pride celebrations, and we’re proud to champion and celebrate the diversity within our community and highlight the inclusive nature of Irish football. This tournament is an opportunity for us to come together, unite, and show our support for the LGBT+ community. We invite everyone to join us for a day of fun, friendly competition, and solidarity.”

 

Everyone is invited to participate in this welcoming and inclusive tournament which will spotlight the football talent within the local LGBTQ+ community. The club says, “We are encouraging clubs, groups of friends, and work colleagues to register and take part in the tournament.”

The Pride Cup 2023 promises to showcase the incredible talent of LGBTQ+ footballers and also promote the importance of diversity and inclusion in sports. Registration is €50, and all proceeds will support LGBTQ+ organisations. To register your team, please contact [email protected]

Additionally, the Bohemian Football Club and Dublin Devils FC have announced a new partnership to reaffirm their commitment to LGBTQ+ inclusion.

 

Dublin Devils are an LGBTQ+ inclusive football team that was founded in 2005. They welcome anyone who loves football, and in addition to playing in the UCFL, the Dublin Devils offer weekly social football games which foster a safe and welcoming environment for LGBTQ+ footballers of all abilities.

Dublin-based Bohemian FC was the first professional football team to march in Dublin Pride in 2022 as a mark of support and solidarity with their queer teammates, and the club is involved in several LGBTQ+ inclusive initiatives.

This new partnership will include the first-ever Pride of Dalymount Cup on June 10 in Dalymount Park. The two clubs will also collaborate on coaching, and they will work together to lobby for the implementation of LGBTQ+ policy in Irish football to combat homophobia and transphobia in the sport.

Bohemian FC COO Daniel Lambert said: “We do not shy away from the fact that football generally has a long way to go in being a truly hospitable place for the LGBTQ+ community. This new partnership with the Devils, our existing partnership with ShoutOut and our participation in the Pride parade with GayBohs are all actions geared towards bringing football where it needs to be. Football and Bohs are for all.”

© 2023 GCN (Gay Community News). All rights reserved.

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