Pride month

To celebrate Pride Month the Football Association of Wales (FAW) will highlight the stories of those in Welsh Football who create a more welcoming and inclusive environment for all from the LGBTQ+ community.

During Pride Month the FAW will host the Clwb Pawb Summit. Taking place on Sunday 4th June the summit will provide an opportunity for those across the game to develop their understanding of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) and connect with others who are passionate about driving change in football.

A range of free webinar sessions will be delivered by experts in EDI throughout the day. These include the panel discussion “Football for All: creating an opportunity for everyone” with panellists from Cardiff Dragon FC, the Cymru Football Foundation, the FAW and the FAW Youth Council. Director of Pride Sports & Campaign Director of Football V Homophobia, Lou Englefield will also deliver a workshop on “Developing an LGBTQ+ inclusive club”. Learn more and register here.

Over the last 2 years Welsh football has seen the creation of two new LGBTQ+ football teams in Wales, Swansea Galaxy FC and the newly formed Newport Centurions FC; who follow in the footsteps of the first LGBTQ+ football team to be created in Wales, the Cardiff Dragons. You can discover more about the Cardiff Dragons and their story on the FAW’s free streaming platform RedWall+ (redwallplus.wales).

The FAW has committed to listening and engaging with underrepresented communities in football to hear their lived experiences in the game and to better understand the barriers and challenges they face. Last year’s Pride Cymru provided the opportunity for FAW staff members to have open and honest discussions with hundreds of LGBTQ+ community members about the challenges within football in Wales and how these can be addressed to create an environment where everyone can feel safe, welcomed, and have the opportunity to participate in the game.

The FAW will once again be joining members of The Rainbow Wall, Cymru’s LGBTQ+ national supporters’ group, at this year’s Pride Cymru march in addition to a FAW/PAWB/Rainbow Wall inspired stall in the market area of the festival. Gŵyl Cymru Festival, a collaboration between FAW and Arts Council of Wales celebrating Welsh football and culture, will also be present at this year’s Pride Cymru. Details on the upcoming events will be shared across the Gŵyl Cymru website imminently.

The FAW is delighted to invite members of the Welsh Football Family to join the association and The Rainbow Wall at this year’s Pride Cymru march taking place on Saturday 17th June in Cardiff. If you would like to join please contact The Rainbow Wall: rainbowwallcymru@gmail.com