Inclusion & Diversity Award Finalists
Proudly sponsored by England Golf
The Inclusion & Diversity Award recognises anyone involved with sport or physical activity in Lincolnshire who has made a significant impact on people from under-represented groups, reducing inequalities & increasing diversity within physical activity. This may be either through a specific dedicated project, or an approach to embedding equality, diversity and inclusion in their wider work, or anything that may fall in between.
Our Finalists
Hub Dance Team
Hub Dance Team work hard to create safe and inclusive spaces for anyone to give dance a go; they have classes for tiny tots, teens, people with disabilities, and sessions for those with Dementia and Parkinson’s. Every dancer is celebrated and welcomed in an inclusive and accepting environment. The children and adults who come to the classes are not judged or made to feel in anyway that they need to show their worth, they are welcomed and encouraged and praised. Their Unify Youth and Unify Adults group were some of the first dedicated dance groups for disabled young people and adults. The Unify programme recognises and celebrates the first-person experience of disability, not as a medical condition but as an artist or dancer, through artistic and other creative means. Unify's work champions the ethos of dance for all and increases the visibility of those with disabilities in the eyes of the wider community.
"I volunteer with the Unify Junior dance class and have seen first hand the difference that Emma and the dance team have made to the life’s of all of those children and young adults who attend the classes. They are made to feel valued, supported, included in the dance decisions for creating pieces and above all they all encourage each other and join in."
Lincolnshire Lancers RFC
Lincolnshire Lancers RFC are a gay and inclusive rugby club for people aged 18+. The club was set up in Summer 2022 to provide a safe space for LGBTQI+ people to take part in rugby. Many LGBTQI+ people have a difficult relationship with sport, and many have been told in the past they 'don't belong in sport', were made to feel uncomfortable in changing rooms with other people and bullied out of the "laddy" atmosphere that's prevalent in lots of sporting activities.
"For those of us that have tried sports when we are older, many of us have kept our gender or sexual identity hidden, in fear of being attacked or shunned by our teammates."
Lancers is aimed at the LGBTQI+ community and allies as a way to invite people back into sport. The club welcomes complete beginners and has an inclusive and relaxed environment that focuses on having fun. The club also welcomes social members, where people can come and join social events, chat on their Discord server and more. The club take part in Pride each year and are on a path to joining the IGR (International Gay Rugby), a network of at least 100+ gay and inclusive teams across the world.
"Lancers are here to strive for inclusivity and to show the people of Lincoln and beyond that every body is a rugby body. No matter what your sexuality or gender identity - sport is there for you, Lancers are there for you."
Royal Vulcans Cheer and Dance
Royal Vulcans Cheer and Dance (RVCD) was set up in Lincoln in 2018 with the aim of allowing children and young people to become part of a team where they would have fun whilst improving their fitness and wellbeing in a positive environment. As a working professional singer/dancer Beth Warwick has used her own childhood experiences in dance, cheer, music and theatre to enable her to create a career she loves and set up RVCD to enable her to offer the same opportunities to young people, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds or with additional needs. The club works to enable children and young people who find it difficult to access these kinds of activities to achieve and excel.
In a short period of time the club has trained athletes, some with a huge range of needs, to compete at a national level and come away with multiple winning titles. The club never refuse a place regardless of needs, providing they can be safely accommodate them in their squads. Currently RVCD has a number of children participating with additional needs including Autism, ADHD, Hearing Loss, Behavioural issues, Attachment disorder, Dyspraxia, Communication processing disorders, Health issues, sensory issues, and low muscle tone, to name but a few. By recruiting experienced staff and volunteers, the club has been able to include all of these young people in a high level national competitive sport. Some of these young people have previously been turned away from other clubs and teams because of their needs. Some of these children have been excluded from schools because of their negative attitude and behaviour and have turned themselves around with the club's support, and two have even become part of the coaching team!
"My daughter is part of a number of athletes who have disabilities and the coaches work tirelessly to include them in as many routines and competitions as possible. Choreography is sensitive to their abilities and the disabled and non disabled athletes work seamlessly together with the help of the coaching staff."
Parent of participant
