The Boston Ironsides Rugby Football Club is accepting applications for With You – a free LGBTQ Youth weekend leadership program to take place in June 2021. Participating in sports has been shown to help youth develop confidence, leadership skills and the capacity to work as a team – yet many LGBTQ youth have felt unwelcome or not encouraged to take part. The Ironsides, New England’s only inclusive (LGBTQ/straight allies) rugby team, has for the last 17 years created a safe space to experience the sport of rugby while developing as individuals. With You is a new, innovative workshop designed for LGTBQ youth (all genders, age 14 to 19), utilizing non-contact/non tackle rugby, to begin the process of being exposed to sports while developing leadership skills through supportive team building. The Ironsides was stablished in 2002 and has played in the New England area, throughout the United States and internationally. The team is part of both USA Rugby and International Gay Rugby (IGR) the later now has 100 inclusive rugby teams from around the world. At the most recent IGR World Cup in Amsterdam, the Ironsides ranked within the top 15 of the 72 inclusive teams who competed. For many of players, joining the Ironsdies was the first time that they had considered and felt allowed to engage in a team sport especially one which is thought of as being so rough and intense. This inclusion has allowed for change in how these players see themselves and how they are experienced by others. The Ironsides want to help LGBTQ Youth have the chance to experience some of that same change.
The words “with you”can often be heard on the field when one player is running forward with the ball and another trails yelling “with you” to indicate that they are close and ready to quickly help in whatever way needed. This same feeling of having support when you need it is often felt off the field as well allowing us to achieve in ways we hadn’t previously considered possible.
For more information, email [email protected] or fill out the application to the right
With You will be held Saturday August 10th, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm, and Sunday August 11th, 9:00 am– 4:00 pm at Complete Sports in Norwood. Although, rugby can be a full contact sport there will be NO PHYSICAL CONTACT/ TACKLING during With You. We have a staff of mixed gendered volunteers and coaches to teach andsupport throughout the weekend. All participants will receive lunch and snacks on both days as well as a graduation gift. With You will be comprised of two major components, rugby development and personal development. During rugby development times participants, will be introduce to the sport of rugby forming a team. Participants will have the opportunity to watch a game of rugby, meet with LQBTQ identified players, participate in break out self-exploration and team building activities and have hands on experience learning some aspects of the game.If interested in applying please fill out the attached application and send it to [email protected]. Please beware that only signed applications will be considered and there is limited space available for this year, so please send in your applications as soon as possible. The deadline to apply is July 19 th , 2019.
Your browser does not support viewing this document. Click here to download the document.
