Out For Sport Awards shortlist revealed as London’s LGBTQ+ sports community gears up for gala night
Fifth edition of awards event celebrating achievements of LGBTQ+ inclusive sports clubs across London and the South-East will be held on October 16; 15 different teams, groups and organisations represented on shortlist, across 11 categories; Out For Sport co-chair David Lionetti says awards reflect the power of community…
The shortlist has been announced for the Out For Sport Awards 2026, celebrating the people, teams and clubs who are making sport more inclusive across London and the South East.
For this, the fifth edition of the Awards, 15 different clubs and organisations are in the running across 11 categories for the prestigious honours.
Out For Sport is the charity and member network that supports LGBTQ+ inclusive sports clubs in the capital and neighbouring region. More than 50 nominations were received for its 2026 Awards, from rugby and rowing to padel, ju jitsu and tennis.
The winners will be revealed on Friday 16 October at a special gala evening to be held in Shoreditch, London. Tickets for the event (starts 7pm) are on sale now.
This year, three clubs lead the way with four places each on the shortlist. They are London Otters Rowing Club; North London Lob-sters Tennis; and Kings Cross Steelers RFC, who are fresh from winning the 2026 Bingham Cup, the world’s biggest inclusive rugby tournament.
The finalists in the various categories range from established clubs with decades of history to newer ones built from scratch, such as All-Out Padel and Gayzelles Sporting Club, who go head-to-head for Emerging Club of the Year. They include volunteers, newcomers and teams who competed at the 2026 Gay Games in Valencia.
Last year’s Club of the Year, Ishigaki Ju Jitsu, returns to the shortlist with two nominations: Team of the Year for its Gay Games competitors; and Sporting Achievement of the Year for Sam Woodcock.
Finalists for the Ivan Bussens Lifetime Achievement Award, named in memory of Out For Sport’s co-founder, are Leigh Armstrong of Ace Players Tennis Croydon; Ben Gifford of Out to Swim; and Richard Freeman of Kings Cross Steelers RFC, each recognised for years of dedication to LGBTQ+ sport.
David Lionetti, co-chair of Out For Sport, said: “Every nomination this year told the story of someone finding their place in sport.
“LGBTQ+ inclusive clubs are where people build confidence, friendships and community, and these awards are our chance to say thank you to the people who make that happen.”
The Out For Sport Awards 2026 shortlist
Club of the Year: Ace Players Tennis Croydon; Brazukas Universe; Kings Cross Steelers RFC
Emerging Club of the Year: All-Out Padel; Gayzelles Sporting Club
Inclusive Club of the Year: London Leftfooters FC; London Otters Rowing Club; The London Stags RFC
Club Partnership of the Year: Camden Shorinji Kempo; London Otters Rowing Club; North London Lob-sters Tennis
Team of the Year: Ishigaki Ju Jitsu (Gay Games competitors); Kings Cross Steelers RFC (Men’s 1st XV); London Otters Rowing Club (Senior Squad)
Rising Team of the Year: Camden Shorinji Kempo (Embu team); London Otters Rowing Club (Novice Squad); North London Lob-sters Tennis (Pride in Tennis Cup team)
Newcomer of the Year: Emma Keen, Out to Swim; Maria Trindade, North London Lob-sters Tennis; Ben Yolland, The London Stags RFC
Sporting Achievement of the Year: Jono Elvin, Kings Cross Steelers RFC; Kieran Slator, London Royals Hockey Club; Sam Woodcock, Ishigaki Ju Jitsu
Volunteer of the Year: Jordan Chan, Invicta Icons Cricket; Simon Shipman, North London Lob-sters Tennis; Richard Walton, Out to Swim
Game Changer of the Year: London Royals Hockey Club; Tim Regan, UK Equality Dance Council
Ivan Bussens Lifetime Achievement Award: Leigh Armstrong, Ace Players Tennis Croydon; Richard Freeman, Kings Cross Steelers RFC; Ben Gifford, Out to Swim
The Out For Sport Awards take place on Friday 16th October 2026 at Ballie Ballerson in Shoreditch, London.
Doors open at 7pm, with the awards from 7:30pm, followed by an after-party.
Tickets are priced at £10 each, or £90 for a group of 10.
For more information on the categories, and to buy tickets, visit the Out For Sport website.
Further reading…
Medal of honour! Vicki Carter ‘thrilled’ to collect award for services to LGBTQ sports (December 2025)
Ishigaki Jujitsu and South London Smashers among winners at 4th edition of Out For Sport Awards (April 2025)
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