Norwich City Academy have participated in workshops given by LGBTQ+ rights charity Stonewall over the week.
All players from the Under-9s up to the Under-23s age group took part in the workshops throughout the week, learning the importance of identities, pronouns and the stories of athletes across multiple sports who have come out.
It was the first time Stonewall have given workshops to football clubs on the matter, involving academies more and more in the importance of spreading awareness on sexuality and identity in football.
The session lasted 30 minutes, with all players engaging at the end and asking questions they wanted to hear more about.
Under-18s right-back and Justin Fashanu Mental Health Ambassador Sol Alidor-Hamilton was one player in particular who engaged with the session well, with the player adding: “It’s good that we’re taught about the LGBT community and pronouns, it helps make sure we don’t accidentally disrespect them.
“Moving forward in life, some people might feel insecure about opening up, it’s a big thing. Bringing that into football and making sure people can feel comfortable coming out is a good thing, we can comfort people so they don’t feel isolated and by themselves.
“There’s a lot of LGBT support nowadays, moving forward if someone comes out as gay like Justin Fashanu did, then they’d be accepted with open arms, football is a game for everyone.”
