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16 teams turn out for first ever Pride Hockey Cup

Last Saturday (30 June) saw The London Royals Hockey Club host the hotly anticipated inaugural Pride Hockey Cup in London with a huge turnout of 190 players and supporters. Being proud to be inclusive of all sexualities and genders 16 mixed teams played for the chance to win the Pride Cup.

Players travelled far and wide to represent a number of LGBT+ teams with Cambridge South travelling the furthest as a team while individual players travelled from as far as Amsterdam and Germany.

“The atmosphere that one can experience at all Royals events makes it worth to get on a plane and join the party.” Federico Orlandini

The London Royals Hockey Club is the UK’s first open and largest Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (and allies) Hockey Club with over ten years of experience. They have teams playing for both Women’s and Men’s Leagues in addition to mixed teams which was the focus of the cup.

“We wanted to host Pride Cup to celebrate LGBT+ in a sport that has always embraced us. It’s about combining hockey with people who accept us, but in a different way to every other hockey tournament. It will be annual and we already have things in the pipeline for next years’ tournament.” Cleo Lyn

The London Royals will be representing Great Britain in the 2018 Paris Gay Games 

Matches were seven-a-side in a version of the game which uses just half a pitch instead of 11 in a full match. Each game is also much shorter so that over the course of the day each team can play all the other teams in their pool. The cup was won by East London with Battersea Wanderers in second place.

“It was an amazing day because despite hardly knowing anyone, everyone made me feel welcome.” Christel Koenders

With a club motto of ‘Fun and Flirty’ the tournament saw a host of cheeky games being played alongside the hockey with a chance for everyone to get involved.

“Pride Cup was a fantastic day that really encapsulated the spirit of Pride: openness, acceptance and equality. It was even better to see the hockey family come together under this ethos.” Peter Smeed

The London Royals can next be seen marching this Saturday at Pride in London in addition to being part of the current visual ad campaign which has been seen on bill boards and video platforms across London. In August they have a number of teams competing in the Paris Gay Games, affectionately known as the Gay Olympics. To find out more visit: http://londonroyals.co.uk.

Helen Oakleigh is an actor, writer and LGBT+ rights campaigner. Known for audio, theatre and screen she plays Belle in “Different For Girls”. She is also author of “Why We Need A Pride” and an award winning script writer.

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Helen Oakleigh

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