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Harlequins' Pride Game initiative praised by Chris Robshaw

"It's genuinely brilliant to see Harlequins take this step," says Quins captain ahead of Premiership match celebrating diversity on February 15

Jon Holmes

@jonboy79

Thursday 23 January 2020 18:11, UK

LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 01: Programmes and rainbow laces are on sale ahead of the Gallagher Premiership Rugby match between Harlequins and Gloucester Rugby at The Stoop on December 01, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
Image: Harlequins' Pride Game follows on from the club's support for the Rainbow Laces campaign

Harlequins will hold a Pride Game during LGBT History Month in February, with captain Chris Robshaw describing the initiative as "fantastic".

Quins are believed to be the first professional rugby union club in the UK to stage such a match, which will take place on Saturday, February 15 when London Irish are the visitors to The Stoop in the Gallagher Premiership.

The Twickenham club says the fixture will be "a celebration of diversity" and follows on from their long-standing support for Stonewall's Rainbow Laces campaign alongside their fellow Premiership sides.

LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 11: Mike Brown of Harlequins poses for a portrait with rainbow laces on his boots in support of the Stonewall Rainbow Laces Campaign, promoting equality and diversity in sport during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby 2019-20 Season Launch at Twickenham Stadium on September 11, 2019 in London, England. This coming weekend all six Gallagher Premiership Rugby matches will be dedicated to Stonewall’s Rainbow Laces campaign
Image: Mike Brown and the rest of the Quins players will support the initiative in the match against London Irish on February 15

Robshaw is impressed by the Pride Game commitment and hopes it sends a positive message throughout the sport.

"It's genuinely brilliant to see Harlequins take this step to help tackle stigma and drive inclusivity within our game," he told the club's official website.

LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 28: Chris Robshaw of Harlequins gives a thumbs up following the Gallagher Premiership Rugby Big Game 12 match between Harlequins and Leicester Tigers at Twickenahm Stadium on December 28, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Steve Bardens/Getty Images for Harlequins)
Image: Chris Robshaw hopes more LGBT+ people get involved in rugby union as a result of the Pride Game

"I speak on behalf of the whole playing group in supporting this fantastic initiative and truly hope that we can help the LGBTQ+ community realise that sport is a safe environment that all can enjoy."

As well as launching the match, Quins have also announced that The Harlequins Foundation has partnered with Monash University in Australia to conduct research that supports inclusion within community rugby clubs.

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LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 01: The Premiership rugby logo appears with rainbow stripes ahead of the Gallagher Premiership Rugby match between Harlequins and Gloucester Rugby at The Stoop on December 01, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
Image: Quins' Pride Game will be the first held in the Gallagher Premiership

Education programmes tackling sexist and homophobic language are also set to be developed, with Monash having already undertaken extensive work to explore the damaging impact of such language in rugby and ice hockey in Australia.

For the Pride Game itself, Quins will invite guests with experience of LGBT+ inclusion in sport to speak at a panel discussion as part of the matchday experience, with further activations planned too.

Sky Sports supports Stonewall's Rainbow Laces campaign for LGBT+ inclusion in sport, as a member of Team Pride. If you're interested in sharing your Rainbow Laces story, get in touch with us.

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