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Jake Bacon
Charlton Athletic Community Trust (CACT) have become the first professional football club’s community trust in the UK to establish a dedicated LGBTQI+ friendly football team.
Charlton Athletic.jpg
The formal launch of CACT Invicta FC (CIFC) took place on Thursday at the Valley.
In line with the mission and values of CACT, and the community ethos of the club, CIFC will be committed to providing structured playing opportunities to members of the LGBTQI+ community and their supporters, as well as supporting initiatives specifically designed to tackle discrimination and promote equality.
Charlton Athletic 2.JPG
The House of Commons Culture, Media and Sport Committee Report, Homophobia in Sport, published in February of this year, emphasised that: ‘homophobia was emerging as a bigger problem in football than other forms of discrimination’.
Furthermore, in highlighting ‘how things can change’ the Committee clearly stated that: ‘we recognise the importance of safe and welcoming environments in which to participate in sport for the LGB community and believe that LGB-friendly sports clubs go some way towards addressing the problem’.
CIFC player-manager Gary Ginnaw said: “There is no place for prejudice in the game. Charlton was at the forefront of the fight against racism in football and the club now is leading the way in the fight against homophobia in football.
“The establishment of the first ever Professional Football League Club dedicated LGBTQI+-Friendly Football Team, CACT Invicta FC, is a monumental step and will go a long way in ensuring discrimination due to sexual orientation or preference is eradicated from the game.”
Charlton chief executive Katrien Meire added: “We are proud to be involved in this important launch that promotes positive change and inclusion.
“The Community Trust and CACT Invicta have put in a lot of work to get us to this point and we’re pleased as a club to support in whatever way we can.
“We’re looking forward to seeing CACT Invicta wearing the Charlton colours this season.
“Sadly homophobia is still a problem in football, and one we, as a club, take very seriously and are proactive on. Hopefully others can take inspiration from CACT Invicta to further promote positive change in the sport.”
Paul Elliott MBE (Chair, FA Inclusion Advisory Board) said: “Charlton have an incredible record of engaging with under-represented groups.
“I am honoured to be an Ambassador of the CARE Partnership, who led the way in promoting race equality.
“Establishing an LGBT friendly football team, to provide opportunities for the LGBT community and their supporters to take part in football, demonstrates their pioneering and forward thinking approach. The launch of CACT Invicta FC is a landmark event.”
Sources: newsshopper.co.uk and skysports.com
Charlton Athletic Community Trust (CACT) have become the first professional football club’s community trust in the UK to establish a dedicated LGBTQI+ friendly football team.
Charlton Athletic.jpg
The formal launch of CACT Invicta FC (CIFC) took place on Thursday at the Valley.
In line with the mission and values of CACT, and the community ethos of the club, CIFC will be committed to providing structured playing opportunities to members of the LGBTQI+ community and their supporters, as well as supporting initiatives specifically designed to tackle discrimination and promote equality.
Charlton Athletic 2.JPG
The House of Commons Culture, Media and Sport Committee Report, Homophobia in Sport, published in February of this year, emphasised that: ‘homophobia was emerging as a bigger problem in football than other forms of discrimination’.
Furthermore, in highlighting ‘how things can change’ the Committee clearly stated that: ‘we recognise the importance of safe and welcoming environments in which to participate in sport for the LGB community and believe that LGB-friendly sports clubs go some way towards addressing the problem’.
CIFC player-manager Gary Ginnaw said: “There is no place for prejudice in the game. Charlton was at the forefront of the fight against racism in football and the club now is leading the way in the fight against homophobia in football.
“The establishment of the first ever Professional Football League Club dedicated LGBTQI+-Friendly Football Team, CACT Invicta FC, is a monumental step and will go a long way in ensuring discrimination due to sexual orientation or preference is eradicated from the game.”
Charlton chief executive Katrien Meire added: “We are proud to be involved in this important launch that promotes positive change and inclusion.
“The Community Trust and CACT Invicta have put in a lot of work to get us to this point and we’re pleased as a club to support in whatever way we can.
“We’re looking forward to seeing CACT Invicta wearing the Charlton colours this season.
“Sadly homophobia is still a problem in football, and one we, as a club, take very seriously and are proactive on. Hopefully others can take inspiration from CACT Invicta to further promote positive change in the sport.”
Paul Elliott MBE (Chair, FA Inclusion Advisory Board) said: “Charlton have an incredible record of engaging with under-represented groups.
“I am honoured to be an Ambassador of the CARE Partnership, who led the way in promoting race equality.
“Establishing an LGBT friendly football team, to provide opportunities for the LGBT community and their supporters to take part in football, demonstrates their pioneering and forward thinking approach. The launch of CACT Invicta FC is a landmark event.”
Sources: newsshopper.co.uk and skysports.com
