Surrey’s Vitality Blast T20 match against Kent Spitfires at The Kia Oval on Friday 1 July will be a special event to show support for the club’s official LGBTQ+ supporters’ group: Proud Surrey. The following day, Proud Surrey will become cricket’s first supporters’ group to march at London’s famous Pride festival.
Proud Surrey was formed in March 2021, and they are the first LGBTQ+ cricket supporters’ group in the UK. They regularly attend Surrey games, both home and away, and provide a positive, inclusive environment for all fans.
Through their collaboration with Surrey County Cricket Club, they support the club in its efforts promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion within the sport of the cricket.
The Proud Surrey T20 match will see Pride branding carried around the ground including flying above the iconic Micky Stewart Members’ Pavilion, opportunities for the crowd to support local LGBTQ+ charities and organisations as well as support from Surrey’s corporate partners.
London Pride is one of the oldest and the biggest Pride celebrations in the country and this year will be the first time that Proud Surrey will officially join the march.
The 2022 London Pride march commemorates 50 years since the first Pride took place in the United Kingdom and will this year be held on Saturday July 2 at 12:00pm.
Steve Elworthy, Chief Executive at Surrey CCC, said: “We couldn’t be happier to be hosting the Pride T20 match at The Kia Oval. At Surrey, we believe that cricket is for everyone and want people to feel like they can be their true selves when they join us at an event.
“Proud Surrey are passionate fans of the Club and I want to thank them on behalf of the playing staff and everyone at Surrey for their support and help setting up this wonderful occasion. There is an incredibly strong and proud LGBTQ+ community in the local area and we’re especially honoured to have some of them joining us on July 1st.”
Emily Pritchard, Vice-Chair and Paul Mooney, Social Secretary of Proud Surrey said: “The game against Kent will be a fantastic celebration for the LGBTQ+ community. Pride celebrations are an important part of showing support for all those across the spectrum of different sexualities and genders, so it’s wonderful to be able to hold such an event at The Kia Oval.
“Thank you to the Club for their support and we’d love everyone to turn out in strong numbers and show what a vibrant and inclusive fanbase there is at Surrey.”
