Cambridge Welcomes Its First Gay Rugby Team

A new chapter in Cambridge's sports scene is set to begin with the launch of the city's first gay and inclusive rugby club, the Cambridge Yales. The inaugural training session is scheduled for Saturday at 10:30 BST, taking place at the local rugby club on Grantchester Road.

Co-founder Ross Barr-Hoyland, who is also a trustee of International Gay Rugby, shared that the team will kick off with an eight-week training program designed for players of all skill levels. "You don't have to have any experience of playing sport, never mind rugby. Just come along, have fun, and see what you think," he encouraged potential participants.

The Yales will become the sixth gay rugby club in the East of England, following the Colchester Kings, which were established as the region's first inclusive rugby team in 2022. Subsequent clubs have emerged in Northampton, Norwich, Southend-on-Sea, and Rochford, reflecting a growing movement toward inclusivity in the sport.

With around 30 individuals already expressing interest in joining, Barr-Hoyland revealed that the idea of starting a gay rugby team in Cambridge came to him during a casual conversation with a friend. The 37-year-old recounted his own journey, stating, "When I found them, it was just like coming home," referring to his experience on an inclusive team in Leeds. He emphasized the importance of community, saying, "I think it's about people finding a family and a team to bond together and support each other, both on and off the pitch."

Welcoming all sexual orientations, the club aims to create an inclusive atmosphere where even straight men have found a comfortable space, enjoying the "no pressure" environment. The name of the club is inspired by the yale, a mythical creature featured in heraldry, including at the gates of two University of Cambridge colleges. According to the latest census, Cambridge boasts the fourth-largest non-heterosexual population in England and Wales.