Devon based gay and inclusive rugby club Westcountry Wasps RFC launched with support from the Rugby Football Union is the first of its kind for Devon and Cornwall.
A NEW rugby team for the southwest was established last month with support from England Rugby and International Gay Rugby (IGR).
The Exeter based team, the first of it’s kind in Devon and Cornwall, aims to create a welcoming and uplifting environment for players of all sexual orientations and experience levels.
The team will promote community spirit, equality, and diversity in LGBT+ players while committing to England Rugby core values of; teamwork, respect, enjoyment, discipline, and sportsmanship.
The team will be welcoming new members to taster sessions in Exeter and Plymouth this month before regular training sessions begin.
Andy Smith, one of the clubs founders, is a straight man from Exeter who played for an inclusive team, the Manchester Village Spartans for 10 years.
Talking about forming the new club, he said: “Seeing how rugby can change lives through new experiences, new relationships, new social groups, and how that can change attitudes has really made an impression on me. I want other people to enjoy the same experiences and make the same great friends I’ve had.”
Ryan Cook, a special police Constable for Devon & Cornwall Police, started playing rugby at the age of 11, and has refereed for Cornwall RFU at County and Federation levels and is delighted to be a founding member of Westcountry Wasps RFC.
Ryan says he hopes to: “bring together players that have never played before for fear of homophobia and allow them to thrive in a social scene of the club”.
The club founders are keen to hear from anyone who wants to meet new people, make friends, get some exercise and get involved in sport. Free taster sessions will be held on Oct 13 in Exeter and Oct 20 in Plymouth where you can fin out why thousands of men are joining inclusive rugby teams up and down the country.
For more information about Westcountry Wasps RFC and the taster sessions, click here:
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