Rainbow Laces

Oxfordshire FA Supporting Rainbow Laces Campaign

Oxfordshire FA is joining the nation in supporting Stonewall's Rainbow Laces campaign between 22 November and 8 December 2019.

Between 22 November and 8 December 2019, Oxfordshire FA will be joining the country in supporting the Rainbow Laces campaign; an initiative created by charity Stonewall, which campaigns for LGBT+ equality and inclusion within sport.

This year’s Rainbow Laces Day will take place on Wednesday 27 November 2019.

The campaign is one that has achieved huge support across all levels of football, with football players, coaches, referees and volunteers at all levels sporting the trademark rainbow laces in games during the weeks of action.

To enable as many players, teams and officials to showcase their support for Rainbow Laces during the weeks of action, Oxfordshire FA has delivered over 200 pairs of rainbow-coloured laces, to enable teams playing within the county to wear them in fixtures during the campaign.

Over the course of the campaign, players from teams including Rose Hill Youth, Summertown Stars Ladies and Greater Leys will all be sporting the laces, whilst parents and supporters are also being encouraged to wear as much rainbow colour as possible.

Hinksey Park Football Club’s game on Sunday 1 December, a victory in which would see the team win the autumn league title, will see the team also wear Stonewall’s rainbow laces. In addition, an incredible 75 pairs of laces has been provided to the Oxford Mail Girls’ Football League, with all players set to wear them.

Finally, Goring United’s men’s and women’s teams will be highlighting the campaign through two Rainbow Laces fixtures. The ladies’ Thames Valley County Women’s League Plate fixture against Great Linford on Sunday 1 December will be one, however before that, on 23 November, the men’s game against Taplow Vets will kick-start the club’s campaign activity. 

Nigel Saverton, Education, Safeguarding & Referee Support Manager at Oxfordshire FA, said: “Sport in general should be enjoyed by everybody and anybody who wishes to take part – and in the case of football, this is a message that Oxfordshire FA is fully supportive of and passionate about promoting. 

“We’re proud to back Stonewall’s Rainbow Laces campaign and are delighted to have a number of players, leagues and officials involved. Football is a game for all and I’d encourage as many people involved in all levels of football across the county to show their support to help eradicate discrimination and promote inclusion for our LGBT+ community.”

Throughout the Rainbow Laces campaign, Oxfordshire FA will be sharing posts on social media where clubs, leagues and volunteers have showcased their support to Rainbow Laces.

Any leagues, clubs or players wishing to show support for the Rainbow Laces campaign can do so by visiting www.stonewall.org.uk, where pairs of laces can be ordered.

All participants showing their support are encouraged to share content of what they’re doing to back Rainbow Laces via Oxfordshire FA’s social media platforms, using the hashtag #RainbowLaces and mentioning @OxfordshireFA on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook.