SKY BET REWARD FANS WITH LIMITED-EDITION LGBTQ+ RAINBOW FOOTBALLS
Sky Bet, the title sponsor of the EFL, are giving away 10 limited-edition Rainbow Balls to celebrate and reward commitment to LGBTQ+ inclusivity in football fandom.
Last week, the EFL and PUMA marked LGBTQ+ History Month by unveiling the very first Rainbow match ball to be used in English professional football, which has featured in all Sky Bet EFL fixtures from February 16, until tomorrow – February 24.
The PUMA ORBITA Rainbow Ball design includes the rainbow and progress colours, symbolising that football is for everyone and representing the League’s active support for inclusion throughout the game.
As part of their For The Fans campaign, Sky Bet asked Clubs across the Sky Bet Championship, League One and League Two competitions, to nominate fans for the positive work they have done in their local LGBTQ+ community.
Five fans have received a limited-edition Rainbow Ball courtesy of Sky Bet. They are:
Richard Young, QPR fan and Rainbow Rangers Chairperson.
Richard is the Chairperson of Rainbow Rangers, and since stepping into the role less than 18 months ago has been working tirelessly towards LGBTQ+ acceptance and inclusion in football.
He has given up his own time to deliver staff and player workshops across the club and last year interviewed our then Director of Football, Les Ferdinand who spoke openly about discrimination in the game. On matchdays Richard organises social meet ups not only with Rainbow Rangers members but also the opposing team supporters’ groups.
Lydia Loughran, Huddersfield Town season ticket holder and proud member of the LGBTQ+ community.
Lydia has been particularly proactive and helpful in terms of supporting Huddersfield’s ‘Proud About Town’ LGBTQ+ group and helping them through the early stages of developing this group.
Lauren Revill, an apprentice to Ipswich Town’s LGBTQ+ Foundation.
In her short, but impactful time at Ipswich Town so far, Lauren has successfully played a part in launching a newly released LGBTQ+ football session, held on Tuesday evenings at Portman Road. Lauren leads these sessions, and as such, has created an inclusive and safe environment for members of the LGBTQ+ community, and allies to enjoy playing football.
Kieran Halpin-Danby, lead of Mansfield Town’s LGBTQ+ group Proud Stags.
Kieran has continued to lead Mansfield Town’s Proud Stags LGBTQ+ group in the past year/season, actively promoting their work on social media. He also conducted an excellent interview with club captain Ollie Clarke earlier this year and discussed a range of topics, including LGBTQ+.
Peter Wilton, co-founder of the Proud Hornets supporters’ group.
From the moment Peter wrote to Watford in 2016 asking why we had no LGBTQ+ supporters’ group, he has led from the front in promoting LGBTQ+ inclusivity, accepting the challenge to start the group himself with the club’s support. Proud Hornets quickly grew in numbers and thanks to Peter’s drive and dedication, they have become one of the most prominent groups in Watford’s supporter base, with members meeting regularly on matchdays and for social events.
Sky Bet are giving five more limited-edition Rainbow Balls away on X (formerly Twitter).
Fans can enter by nominating themselves or someone else for their commitment to LGBTQ+ inclusivity in football.
You can enter now here: [LINK WHEN POST LIVE]
Ts & Cs apply. 18+.