London’s first-ever LGBTQ+ sports festival welcomes all in Pride Month
Free tickets available for event on Sunday 16 June (10.30am to 6pm) at Crystal Palace National Sports Centre; opportunities to try out with around 20 different inclusive sports clubs from across the capital; “no previous experience necessary!” insists organiser David Lionetti…
The latest addition to London’s Pride month activities will be the 2024 Out for Sport Festival – London’s first-ever LGBTQ+ sports festival.
Taking place on Sunday 16 June (starts 10.30am) at one of the capital’s most iconic sporting destinations – Crystal Palace National Sports Centre – the Festival aims to break down barriers to sports participation.
Approximately 20 LGBTQ+ inclusive sports clubs, representing a wide range of sporting disciplines and drawn from across London, will be offering free taster sessions throughout the day.
These sessions are suitable for anyone, be they experienced athletes or those wishing to try out a new activity for the first time.
The event aims to increase LGBTQ+ community involvement in sports, highlight the health and well-being benefits of an active lifestyle, and showcase London’s LGBTQ+ inclusive sporting groups.
Event organiser David Lionetti says: “We are hoping the Out for Sport Festival will encourage and inspire members of the LGBTQ+ community to connect with each other in a welcoming and safe environment, while promoting a healthier lifestyle through sports and physical activity.
“There will be a fantastic array of activities to try, from hockey, tennis and rugby to dancing, jujitsu and boxing.
“Everyone is welcome. No previous experience is needed, just enthusiasm and interest in finding out more.”
The event is supported by Better, the charitable social enterprise behind Crystal Palace National Sports Centre and the UK’s largest operator of municipal leisure facilities.
Out for Sport Festival Provisional Timetable, Sunday 16 June (registration open 10.30am until 4pm)
11am to 1pm
Tennis – South London Smashers
Squash – Outplay
Football – Hackney Women’s Football Club
Dance – UK Equality Dance Council
Boxing – Knockout
Boating – Thames Dragon Boat Club
Basketball – London Cruisers Basketball Club & London Knights Basketball Club
Jujitsu – Ishigaki Jujitsu
Rugby – London Stags
Lunch – 1pm to 2.30pm
2.30pm to 4.30pm
Tennis – North London Lob-sters
Football – Charlton Invicta
Line Dancing – The Cactus Club
Cricket – Graces Cricket Club
Netball – Unicorns Netball Club
Kempo Martial Arts – Camden Kempo
Hockey – London Royals
Swimming – Out for Swim
Social – 4.30pm to 6pm
The event is for those aged 18 or over. For full details and to claim your free ticket, visit the Out for Sport website.
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