IN PRIDE MONTH, LGBTQ+ team Rainbow Rovers unveil new ‘Eco-Kit,’ new website, and details of Football United 2!

Rainbow Rovers,  Whitehawk FC’s LGBTQ+ team, begin their campaign for the 20/21 season with a new shirt, a new website, and the announcement of their first match this year. 

The team, comprised of some of the best LGBTQ+ players in the country and managed by Dr Sophie Cook HonDLitt, FRSA, writer, speaker, broadcaster & diversity champion, will take on an all star ex-professional team in partnership with team sponsors Utilita, in ‘Football United 2′on Saturday, August 7, 2021, kick off 3pm. Tickets are £5 Adult and £2.50 children under 16. 

The first Football United game took place on Brighton Pride Weekend in 2019, and was cancelled in 2020 due to the Covid pandemic.

The new ‘Eco-Kit,’ made from recycled plastic bottles, has been provided by Whitehawk FC’s new sportswear provider, Hope & Glory Sportswear, and designed by International Turner Prize Artist and one of the most popular visual artists in the country, David Shrigley OBE.

The team also unveil their new website; rainbowrovers.org, designed by Rover’s back of shirt sponsors Huxley Digital, and features Rover’s news, player profiles, details on how to purchase the new shirt, and how to purchase tickets for the big match in August!

The team are really excited to re-launch their campaign, as Sophie explains;

 

“When we originally launched Rainbow Rovers back in 2019 no one believed that our ambitious idea of a team of LGBT+ players could take on, let alone beat, a team of ex-professionals and yet here we are two years later with one of the highest profile LGBT sides in the country.

 

“For our players, many of whom had expressed difficulty being involved in the game previously due to their sexuality or gender identity, it was the experience of a lifetime to walk onto the pitch at the Enclosed Ground alongside players that they had followed for their entire lives.

 

“Since I came out as transgender at AFC Bournemouth back in 2015 the game has taken great strides forward towards LGBT inclusion with support from all levels of the game. Unfortunately there is still more to do and I hope that Rainbow Rovers plays a small part in showing people that bigotry and abuse within the beautiful game and that football really is for all.”

 

Dom Huxley, Managing Director of website Developers Huxley Digital said:

 

“Here at Huxley, we believe in inclusivity and equality for all, and are passionate about supporting the LGBTQ+ community all year round. We’re delighted to work closely with Rainbow Rovers, celebrating football, community, and 100% inclusion, spreading the message that Football is For All.”

 

For Whitehawk FC, Head of Commercial & Marketing and the Club’s liaison for Rainbow Rovers Kevin Miller said; 

 

“We are absolutely thrilled to be able to announce so many exciting things for Rainbow Rovers! The kit looks incredible; probably one of the coolest designs I’ve seen for years, and the website looks absolutely magnificent! Huge thanks to Dom and his team for his patience in difficult circumstances, and to Utilita for helping us drive our joint message of inclusion across the country.”

 

“We can’t wait to host the game again, and call upon all of the football community to embrace the team, and celebrate diversity!”

 

Today’s launch is dedicated to Rainbow Rovers player, Leviathen Hendricks who passed away earlier this week. A tireless campaigner for increased diversity in sports he was a member of the original Rainbow Rovers squad despite telling manager, Sophie Cook, that he “hadn’t really played much football”. Despite his limited playing experience he was a central member of the squad enchanting everyone with his infectious enthusiasm and seemingly permanent smile.

“A true Rainbow Rover.”

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To purchase the new Rainbow Rovers visit: whitehawkfc.com/shop

To purchase tickets for Football United 2 click here: whitehawkfc.ktckts.com

For information on Rainbow Rovers e-mail rainbowrovers@whitehawkfc.com

or call Sophie Cook on: 07504 994197 or Kevin Miller on: 07833 736234