Lincoln Invictus Inclusive Football Club have become the fifth club in Lincolnshire to complete Lincolnshire FA’s new LGBTQ+ Accredited Club Programme and were awarded their certification of completion and rainbow armbands on Wednesday 9th August.

They received their Accreditation certificate from Jordan Mason (Football Development Officer – Disability & Inclusion) and 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.

Lucy Graham, Chair of Lincoln Invictus Inclusive FC, said: “We have a number of our pan-disability players who are from the LGBTQ+ community, and as an inclusive club we want to make it known that everyone is welcome here. 

I personally haven’t heard discrimination myself, certainly not at our club, but I’m aware it’s widespread and it is something that puts off a lot of people from participating in football – which is why it’s so important for us to show we are as inclusive as possible and that this is a safe space for all.

We’re really lucky here actually, in that we have open dialogue with our players. They’re more than happy to tell us anything and everything that’s going on in their lives, so we’re confident there’d be more than happy to tell us about any issues they have. 

We’d definitely recommend other clubs complete their LGBTQ+ Inclusive Club Accreditation. It’s all about making everyone is confident and safe to be themselves and to enjoy the game as their authentic self. It’s important to us that any new members know how inclusive we are too and what we have in place to ensure we are as inclusive as we can be, and what we do and don’t tolerate. 

I thought the LGBTQ+ workshops were brilliant. They opened my eyes and I found them a trigger for a new way of learning and thinking. They were very engaging, easy to follow, and very accessible. I always thought I was quite knowledgeable anyway, but there’s still things, like stats, that shocked me and things I took away. The actual life stories were incredibly powerful and really puts what’s being delivered into perspective.”

Jordan Mason, Football Development Officer (Disability & Inclusion) at Lincolnshire FA, said: “Lincoln Invictus 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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