COVERED 2025 Spring

COVERED 34 TRENTBRIDGE.CO.UK support can make a big difference – it can really help people to accept themselves for who they are.” Robbie’s personal cricketing journey began in the indoor halls at Trent Bridge – even it was a somewhat inauspicious start. “I moved to Nottingham because of my partner, Shaun (who is also part of the supporters group), and he used to use the nets here with his old work team, the British Geological Survey. “He dragged me along to a session when I had some time off from uni, and God I was terrible! “Every ball that I was trying to bowl just went straight into the side of the net, nothing went close to the stumps. “But I’ve kept playing and enjoying it and joined his team – and I’ve learned how to bat and bowl over the years, even if I still say to this day that I’m more of a fielder! “The great thing about cricket is that anybody of any ability can play, it’s a really wholesome sport.” What is clear, too, is that Robbie’s love affair withTrent Bridge runs deep. On several occasions, he loses his train of thought as he takes in the panorama in front of him as we chat. And he loses himself in reverie when recalling the satisfying thwack of bat on ball in the indoor school. “I’ve always seen cricket as an accept- ing sport, whether you’re playing or watching,” he continues. “There’s not that tribal feeling in the stands that you can get at other sports; people can still appreciate the opposi- tion, and everyone integrates with each other really well.” The third summer of the supporters group’s existence promises to be the biggest yet.There will be support of the Rainbow Laces fixture and attendance at Nottingham Pride once again – while an afternoon tea event is planned for a County Championship matchday to allow supporters to meet in a relaxed setting. Cricket taster events and charity fixtures and dinners are also on the agenda – as is the small matter of establishing a competitive team. “There are quite a few LGBTQ+ teams around the UK now, but it would be nice to have a few more so we could compete in a league, as there is in football, to help generate that community feeling,” he says. “People might say ‘cricket’s already inclusive, why do you need to push it down our throats?’ “But a lot of LGBTQ+ people might not feel comfortable going into a team which is predominantly made up of straight players; they might want to join a team where they feel more comfortable being themselves without the fear of prejudice. “I’m hoping we might uncover some hidden talent too – and who knows, maybe we’ll be able to run teams for people of different abilities once we get established. “For us, this is about bringing commu- nities together – and to have had two professional teams in Notts andThe Blaze support our group has been an amazing feeling.” “FOR YOUNGER PEOPLE NOW WHO ARE DISCOVERING THEIR SEXUALITY TO SEE PROFESSIONAL PLAYERS SHOWING THEIR SUPPORT CAN MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE.” Robbie Jacques To find out more about the OUTlaws, join their Facebook group here.