More than 1,000 Rainbow Laces will be taking to pitches in Cumberland over the next few weeks as part of Stonewall’s 2018 Rainbow Laces campaign.

34 clubs have signed up to the Cumberland FA campaign, with teams across the county receiving laces from the partnership with The FA and Stonewall UK.  The Egremont & District Sunday League, Carlisle Glass Longhorn Youth Football League and West Cumbria Youth League are also supporting the campaign.

The Rainbow Laces campaign is a way for everyone involved in sport to show their support for LGBT equality and inclusivity. There are a number of weekends that leagues, clubs and officials are being encouraged to take part in by wearing Rainbow Laces for their games, with the official weekends being 17th and 18th, 24th and 25th November and 1st and 2nd December.

Helen Aitchison of Cumberland FA said: “We’re delighted to provide local clubs and referees with the opportunity to support the campaign en masse for the first time through the partnership between The FA and Stonewall UK. We’re looking forward to raising the profile through the activation weekends.”

COMPETITION TIME

Rainbow Laces photo/video competition

All Cumberland FA-based clubs/individuals who tag us in a Rainbow Laces photo or video post *(Facebook/Twitter/Instagram) from 17 November to 2 December will go into a draw to win a Nike Football (draw to be made following the weekend of 1 and 2 December).

The most innovative photo/video/post* tagging @CumberlandFA to promote the message of the campaign as judged by Cumberland FA will also receive a Nike football.

Stonewall has developed a range of measures to tackle homophobia, biphobia and transphobia in sport. The charity has issued a sports toolkit for grassroots and community sport teams to build awareness and understanding of the issues affecting LGBT people, and how they can help ensure all sports offer an inclusive and welcoming atmosphere.

If you would like to get hold of some Rainbow Laces and support the campaign, please visit www.stonewall.org.uk/rainbowlaces

*By tagging us in a social media post (photo or video) you are giving us permission to use these to promote the campaign across Cumberland through our own social media channels/website. Please ensure you have permission of those in the photos/videos before using on social media.

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