John Moore the new Chair of BLAGSS (Brighton Lesbian and Gay Sports Society) wants you to know ‘What BLAGSS means to him!’
“WHEN I moved down to Brighton with my husband 5 years ago, we knew no-one. We had recently retired and wanted to embrace the lifestyle that Brighton had to offer.
After picking up a leaflet about BLAGSS we soon got involved, playing tennis and helping out. With a background in Leisure Management I took on a Sports Development role trying out new activities for members. Being an ex-competitive swimmer I also joined Out to Swim and swam regularly.
Through BLAGSS we have made a huge amount of new friends and found everyone to be very friendly and welcoming, many being in a similar position having moved here in recent years. I would like to say my tennis has improved; but my social network certainly has.
You don’t have to be super sporty, BLAGSS accommodates all skill levels and abilities, is non-judgemental and provides some coaching too. The social events are great fun and a great way to meet and make new friends.
Membership offers a wide range of sporting benefits plus discounts at a range of local partners including our friends The Camelford and The Crown.”
Philip Erritty plays football with BLAGSS says:
“In 2013, I was treated for brain cancer. After three years of recovery I could be relatively active again, but I found myself at 28 living at home in the countryside, frustrated and eager to get out there again.
I felt isolated, and as a young gay man I felt a desperate need to meet other gay people. My dad was brilliant and discovered MindOut, who I arranged to meet to talk about my issues. It was through MindOut that I discovered BLAGSS. On the face of it, BLAGSS offered me something really special: a chance to meet other gay people socially and build on my physical health – the two most important things in my life at that time.
Football is my number one sport so I knew exactly who to contact. Nonetheless, I was nervous about going, after all I had acquired some disabilities like dodgy balance and vision problems since I last played, and joining a new group is always a bit scary…..
Fast-forward to December last year, I decided to stand up at the annual BLAGSS conference and thank Elliot and Colin, two of the many cherished friends I’ve made since joining their group two years ago. It is thanks to them that I’ve had the opportunity to travel across the country, and even go to Paris, to play in football tournaments, and I’ve had the joy of walking in the parade at Pride for the first time.
Through their friendliness and support I’ve had the chance to feel like I belong, and what BLAGSS has given me in my life is more than I could ever have imagined after such difficult times.”
For more details about BLAGSS click here:
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