5 LGBTQ+ sport clubs creating a safe space for Cork’s queer … – Cork Beo
The Rebel County has a proud sporting history, producing some of the country’s best athletes like Roy Keane, Sonia O’Sullivan and many more – and as society becomes more inclusive, so too does sport.
Cork’s vibrant LGBTQ+ community have taken it upon themselves to set up a whole host of queer clubs and groups to encourage more gay and trans people to get involved in sport by giving them a safe space.
While plenty of clubs have made a push to make themselves more queer-friendly – such as taking part in Belong To’s ‘Rainbow Laces’ initiative, which shows solidarity with LGBTQ+ people in sport – this list of clubs are all run from within the community and really go the extra mile.
Cork Hellhounds
This rugby team was set up in October 2020 with the goal of promoting rugby among the LGBT community and their allies.
They currently have a men’s contact team as well as a mixed-gender tag team – which is open to people of all sexualities and gender identities.
They train twice a week in Cork city and welcome everyone who wants to take part, regardless of whether or not they’ve played rugby before.
(Image: The Cork Hellhounds RFC)
Cork Rebels FC
Formed in 2018, this “predominantly gay non-profit football club” aim to create a safe space for Cork’s queer community to play soccer.
They offer the chance for people to just play for fun, but they also have a competitive team which has proven itself to be quite successful – in 2019, they won the Footy.ie league and have also competed in the Gay Games in Paris and Rome.
They train on Wednesday evenings at The Glen Sports Complex and on Saturday mornings at The Lough Community Centre, which is focused more on the social side of the game and gives players the chance to meet for a coffee and a chat.
Frontrunners Cork
This running club was set up in 2018 and have made it their mission to create a safe space for queer people who want to get involved in sport, but who are nervous because of the fear of being rejected because of their sexuality.
They meet every Saturday at 10 am and every Monday evening at 7 pm in different locations depending on the season – they don’t charge any membership fees so you can just show up and get stuck in.
They complete anywhere from 3 – 12 km during their runs but they also offer a couch-to-5k programme sometimes, so follow their Facebook and Instagram pages if you want to stay updated.
Cork Racketeers
After being set up only last year, this LGBTQ+ badminton club have taken part in tournaments with clubs from Cork and Dublin – and they’re already planning more.
They’re an “an all-inclusive LGBTQIA+ friendly club” and encourage everyone to come along regardless of identity or whether or not they’ve played badminton before.
They host sessions on Tuesdays between 8 – 10 pm in James Kenneally Hall in Hollyhill – they charge €5 per session and €3.50 for concessions.
LINC
This group, who support Lesbian and Bisexual Women in Cork, run a whole host of activities on Leeside – include a number of sports on top of their incredible advocacy work for queer woman in Ireland.
They have a soccer team, who train on Mondays at 7pm in the Glen Resource Centre.
They also have a badminton club who meet on Tuesdays between 7.30-9.30pm in Glounthaune – LINC said anyone women who want to take part can contact them at info@linc.ie for more details.
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