LGBTQ+ Coffee & Cake Mornings at Sussex

Sussex Cricket Welcomes LGBTQ+ Community to The 1st Central County Ground for Coffee & Cake at the Cricket

Sussex Cricket hosted the third of its monthly LGBTQ+ Coffee & Cake at the Cricket Morning at The 1st Central County Ground.

The most recent event was supported by Out4Cricket who delivered a presentation on their experiences within the game, the story of the first ever LGBTQ+ cricket teams, Graces & Birmingham Unicorns, as well as insights into how the organisation engages with the LGBTQ+ community across the country. 

Out4Cricket work with and support the LGBTQ+ community and stakeholders in cricket to create inclusive environments that increase community participation through education, advocacy, research, promotion, and resources.

The Coffee & Cake at the cricket mornings take place on the first Monday of every month at The 1st Central Ground, with a full year of events already planned. 

Many events include guest speakers, visits from professional male and female players at Sussex and will also involve match day activations during the 2024 season.

Sam Holder, People Director at Sussex Cricket emphasized that: “In line with our ambition for cricket to become the most inclusive sport in the country, we recognise that Sussex has one of the largest LGBTQ+ communities in the country, yet this is not reflected in how these communities engage with Sussex Cricket.  

We would like to address this so that individuals feel that they are not only welcome but feel part of Sussex Cricket.  

“To this end, Sussex Cricket have formed a new steering group made up of Senior members of the Sussex Cricket Leadership Team, staff and key stakeholders including Brighton & Hove City Council to help shape plans moving forward”. 

Charlotte Burton, Cricket Development Officer for the Sussex Cricket Foundation added: “The Foundation have been working with many of the LGBTQ+ groups in the Brighton & Hove area over the last couple of years. 

“We want to provide a safe and welcoming environment for the LGBTQ+ community to come to Sussex Cricket, so we decided to set up the Coffee & Cake at the cricket mornings. 

“We had over 20 people attending our first three events, where they were able to meet and chat with other people from different community groups, hear from guest speakers and have a chance to explore the ground including the Sussex Cricket Museum.

“Thank you to Leo and Lachlan from Out4Cricket who came and spoke to the group about fantastic work they are doing with the LGBTQ+ community and cricket.”

As the season approaches, Sussex Cricket will be hosting events where the LGBTQ+ community can watch live professional cricket in our hospitality area. 

This includes Sussex’s Championship game vs. Northamptonshire on Monday 8th April and England U19s vs India U19s on Monday 1st July.

When is the next event?

The next Coffee & Cake at the Cricket Morning will take place on Monday 4th March 2024 at The 1st Central County Ground in the Long Room in the Spen Cama Pavilion, where we will be joined by professional players from both our men’s and women’s teams.

If you’d like to know more, please contact: Charlotte Burton, charlotte.burton@sussexcricket.co.uk