Rainbow Laces – all inclusive

On the day that the Pontypridd squad wore Rainbow Laces for their home tie against Newport, international referee Nigel Owens contributed an article for the match programme:

In a way rugby has always promoted diversity – at its best, a game for all shapes and sizes, for people of all backgrounds, all creeds and colours, and has always led the way in welcoming all and sundry into its ranks.

In the modern world that natural inclusiveness is extending to welcome people of different religion, race, sexuality – whatever makes us different can also bring us together. People within the game of rugby respect each other and value that respect, on the whole they are great people who partake in a great sport.

We have made big strides in recognising this natural diversity over the past few years. Pontypridd RFC, based at the House of Pain, could be seen as a bastion of the traditional macho, valleys mentality. When I began refereeing twenty years or so ago, I couldn’t imagine myself running out at Sardis Road with rainbow laces in my boots. Society as a whole has changed in that time and I can turn up at Pontypridd or any other club now and be accepted for who I am.

The LGBT community has of course in the past experienced homophobic bias and abuse, the kind of mentality that at first held me back from ‘coming out’ but I’m glad to say that as a society we are now far more enlightened, far more tolerant.

I don’t want the wearing of rainbow laces, or any similar campaign, to be seen as a kind of showing off, that the LGBT community should be treated differently or given preferential treatment. Its a sign of accepting equality, of showing how through sport we can support each other and unite people, be all-welcoming, whatever one’s race, creed or sexuality.

There is of course more to be done. Intolerance still exists, but I believe it is now only amongst a minority, almost on an individual basis. Rugby, in line with many other sports, is showing the way forward to be inclusive and to welcome all, whether as supporters, players or officials.

I’m delighted to see Pontypridd RFC today, a club that has always been at the forefront of Welsh Rugby and has set so many standards, make its contribution towards acceptance and diversity within the sport. Showing that kind of support means a lot to someone like me and I’m sure to the LGBT community as a whole. Days like this can make a big difference to people’s lives – wear your rainbow laces with pride.

Nigel Owens

International Referee.