Boston United Community Football Club have become the sixth club in Lincolnshire to complete Lincolnshire FA’s LGBTQ+ Inclusive Accredited Club Programme and were awarded their certification of completion and rainbow armbands on Wednesday 20th March at the Jakemans Community Stadium.

They received their Accreditation certificate from Zack Leader (LGBTQ+ Ambassador).

The Lincolnshire Football Association’s LGBTQ+ accreditation framework is for clubs in Lincolnshire to demonstrate the steps they are making to be an inclusive environment for those that identify as part of the LGBTQ+ Community.

The Lincolnshire FA Vision (One Lincolnshire Community, United and Inspired by the Power of Football) is built on the foundations of unity, inclusivity, and acceptance. Our goal is for all football in the county and beyond to be an environment where every player, coach, referee, spectator, or volunteer can enjoy the game and feel comfortable in being themselves, without fear of discrimination.

An inclusive club is one where all members can be their true selves without fear of discrimination or judgement, and instead feel welcomed and valued. A truly inclusive club will see an increase in both enjoyment and performance.

Lewis Wright, Football Development Officer at Boston United, said: "For me, doing a lot of the inclusion work at the club, I wanted to make sure that we had something visually out there for people to see that we are an inclusive club. So for me, it was incredibly important that we went in and completed our LGBTQ+ Inclusive Accreditation. 

With the amount of teams and players we have here at Boston United, the support they showed through getting the sign up form done as part of the Accreditation shows in mass the power of unity and who we are as a club. Going forwards, I'd love to develop an LGBTQ+ specific session to show that in Boston, and the surrounding community, that there is a place to come here and play safe and inclusive football." 

Neil Kempster, Vice-Chairman of Boston United, said: "At Boston United, we recognise the role that the football club plays within the community. It's important that we take the lead in various initiatives, such as this, and it's important to show that the LGBTQ+ community can be included within the football that we play here. 

Our view now is that we can take this LGBTQ+ Inclusive Club Accreditation and build on it to try and make a real difference to the local community." 

Jordan Mason, Football Development Manager (Disability & Inclusion Lead) at Lincolnshire FA, said: “Boston United encapsulates everything it means to be a truly inclusive club. They have seen tremendous success at all levels of the club and offer first-class provision across our walking football and disability pathways.

Becoming our most recent Lincolnshire FA LGBTQ+ Accredited Club is just their latest step in everything they do to make football a safer, more welcoming, and more inclusive space for everyone – including those that identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community.”

For more information on our LGBTQ+ Accreditation Programme, and how your club can begin the process, click here 

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