LGBT+ Sport and Physical Activity

LGBT+ SPORT and Physical Activity

Leeds City Council is committed to making Leeds an LGBT+ inclusive city, representing the diversity of communities and providing equity in all of our service provisions. We are constantly working to make our services even more accessible and inclusive of everyone – including the LGBT+ community.

Follow our LGBT official Leeds City Council @LInclusiveleeds for updates on what we are doing to achieve this. 

For guidance on how you can receive funding for your sports club contact: sport.club.development@leeds.gov.uk or visit Their Webpage.

Leeds LGBT+ Hub Meetings
The Hub group is supported by a large number of private and third sector organisations within Leeds, along with a number of key individuals who share the goals of making Leeds and LGBT+ inlusive city with us. A sample of projects currently under development within this Hub include: Sports inclusion, LGBT+, BME, Leeds 2023, Hate Crime, Domestic Violence, Bullying, Housing Services, Mental Health alongside various awareness dates and campaigns.
For further information or to register for the mailing list please email LeedsLGBT@Leeds.gov.uk.

Inclusive Yoga
This class is specifically aimed at the LGBTQ+ community, but allies are also welcome. If you have any questions or if there is anything we can do to make you feel more comfortable entering the space please do not hesitate to email us on: middlefloor.leeds@gmail.com.​ 

This is a beginners class and no prior experience of yoga is necessary.

Vinyasa flow yoga is the perfect opportunity to gently move the body, focus your thoughts, play through creative movement sequences and follow your personal journey of finding gratitude and presence within the body and mind.

This practice is open to all and offers a safe space to follow the breath through a creative yoga flow. We tend to begin with a gentle meditation that centres itself around a quieting and softening pranayama (breath work). Then we move through warming sequences that open the body before moving onto more energising asanas and sun salutations to bring focus, clarity and movement play.

Practice finishes with a complete body and mind relaxation - often including an (optional) head massage. A perfect end to a working day and beginning to a relaxing night.

Yoga teacher Charlotte Jones has the magical ability to make everyone feel comfortable in her classes, all exercises can be easily adapted and everything is totally up to the participant as to whether or not they join in.

Open to all, including complete beginners.

Ages 16+

Tuesday’s 6:30 - 7:30pm

Wear anything you feel comfortable in and can move in - Leggings and a T-shirt or tracksuit bottoms.

If you have a mat you are welcome to bring it but you do not need to have one to join this class. These classes start on Tuesday 18th June and run every Tuesday there after for 6 weeks.

We also have a beginners contemporary dance class for adults that your network might be interested in:


Beginners Contempory

No previous dance experience is needed, Marie will go at a slow pace but still make you sweat. All bodies welcome.

Marie is a highly trained contemporary dance artist with 5 years of teaching experience. All exercises are easily adaptable to suit all bodies and potential injuries.

Leeds LGBT+ Sports Clubs

We recognise that not everyone always feels comfortable participating in Leeds’ mainstream sports clubs. Because of this, we support sports organisations that guarantee a safe space for the LGBT+ community. You can find out more about the city’s seven LGBT+ sports clubs below:​
Your team not featured? Please contact us at sport.webupdates@leeds.gov.uk​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Out Lift Leeds

 
LGBT powerlifting group that will run from Leeds Beckett City campus gym every Saturday morning.

Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/outliftleeds/ 

Instagram- @Outliftleeds.


Yorkshire St Pauli 


We are the largest Sankt Pauli supporters club outisde of Germany and a group of like-minded individuals who meet at least weekly to play football in an uncompetative, inclusive and welcoming environment. We aso meet to watch FCSP Hamburg, the second division German club we support and aim to emulate both on and off the pitch through practicing zero tolerance for discrimination in all forms.

Our Football for All sessions now run twice weekly on Sundays (12 -1) and Thursdays (8pm - 9pm). They are both priced at pay as you can and take place at Powerleague Leeds Central, Wellington Bridge Street, LS3 1LW (by the casino/TGI Fridays, Kirkstall Road). The Sunday sessions are normally precluded by free lifts from St Aiden's Church, Roundhay Road for those who cannot afford to take public transport from Harehills and Chapeltown.

We are a gender and sexual identity-inclusive club. Please feel free to visit our Website -yorkshirestpauli.com  for more information and consider listing us and our FFA sessions as inclusive sports groups on you website and social media. We're friendly folks and we'd love to have you down to meet us all. It is by farthe best way to see how friendly and calm our kickabouts are and how we foster an environment of respect for others far over charity.

OutdoorLads                                                         

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OutdoorLads is a social group for gay, bisexual and trans men who love outdoor sports and want to GET OUT MORE! With the help of volunteer event leaders they put together and run over 1000 events a year all over the UK, with many based in West Yorkshire. They organise hiking, camping, climbing, hostelling, biking, canoeing, sailing and skiing events as well as one-off international trips and more hard-core 'challenge' events. It doesn't matter whether you're a total beginner or ​an outdoor enthusiast - there's something for everyone! Whatever the event you'll find a group of friendly, welcoming guys with a shared love of the great outdoors.

Website - outdoorlads.com/

Facebook -   External link opens in new windowFacebook Logo​​​​​​​​​​​​​​  

Twitter - @OutdoorLads​​

The Bad Mittens


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This LGBT+ inclusive Badminton group launched on Wednesday 20th July 2016 and has seen considerable membership growth, with over 1,000 members currently registered with them.



The group meets twice weekly at Armley Leisure Centre:
- Wednesday 8pm until 9pm, limited to 18 players.
- Sunday 12pm until 1pm,with second session 1pm until 2pm both limited to 18 players.

They also meet once a week at Morley Leisure Centre
- Tuesday 8pm until 9pm, limited to 14 players.
And most recently launched at at Kirkstall Leisure Centre:
- Monday 7pm until 8pm, limited to 9 players.

Spaces are set based on court availability, so early booking is recommended as the sessions usually sell out a few days in advance.

The group are unable to accept 'walk in's' so all places must be booked in advance via their website.

The group welcomes anyone from beginner to intermediate player levels, but ask you to note that the group focus is on fun & friendly play so if you're looking for competitive games then The Bad Mittens probably isn't the right group for you.

Whether you're looking to get fit, socialise or make friends they welcome all new members into the group- and you don't have to be the best player to participate.
The games played are usually mixed doubles, with players swapping around between each game so you don't have to worry if you're attending by yourself.  

Websites – https://www.meetup.com/Leeds-Inclusive-Sport/
Twitter - @TheBadMittens


The Leeds Hunters RUFC

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The Leeds Hunters launched in November 2016 as the new inclusive rugby team for Yorkshire, based in Leeds. The team currently train every Wednesday evening and Saturday morning, and are usually attended by 20+ guys for each session. Training is at the rugby post in Roundhay Park, near to the Oakwood Clock tower. All gay, bisexual and straight men are welcome to join them.

RFU rules prevent mixed gender teams, however West Park Leeds RUFC has an active inclusive ladies team.

No need to book, however it is advisable to contact the team via Facebook or Twitter to confirm the training session is taking place. It's open to all ages and skill levels (including those new to the game) so just get in touch via Facebook to check the session is on. 

Facebook-External link opens in new windowFacebook Logo  
Twitter- @TheLeedsHunters  
Instagram- @theleedshunters.


Strike Back- Martial Arts
Lee Mathews British Military Martial Ar​ts Academy is proud to present an LGBT only class. These classes are a great way to ease yourself in and build your confidence to join up with mixed classes if you wish to. Our LGBT classes focus on ​self-defence, fitness and the techniques involved within the kickboxing sport in general, with the aim of helping students work their way up to Black belt.

Classes are held at Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7:30pm at the main Leeds BMMA site at 2 Grant Avenue, Leeds, LS7 1RQ. This class is mainly aimed at beginners but other levels of ability are very welcomed. Students are taught by Steve who has been involved in kickboxing for a good few years, a qualified instructor who currently teaches different ages and abilities, and has been chosen to be a member of British Military Martial Arts Academy’s national tournament team: SAS team 2016.​

For further information please contact Steve on: 07932033512 or email strike-back-kickboxing@gmail.com

https://www.facebook.com/groups/904473859642830/
https://www.meetup.com/Strike-Back-Kickboxing-group-LGBT/​

Yorkshire Terriers FC

We are Yorkshire's only LGBT+ Football club. Established in the early 1990's we played a huge role in establishing the national gay league which still stands today. We play in the national gay league, the GFSN, a Midlands based gay league, Midlands Unity League, as well as the straight, local Leeds based Flexi-League. Well established both on the pitch and on Leeds gay scene we have a thriving sporting and social side to us. We are always looking for new players regardless of gender, sexuality or ability.

Website - www.terriersfc.co.uk​
Facebook -External link opens in new windowFacebook Logo
Instagram - @yterriersfc
Twitter - @yterriersfc​

Leeds Frontrunners

Leeds Frontrunners is a friendly all-inclusive running club, welcoming anyone who identifies as LGBT, their friends and even people who just love running and are happy to look beyond labels.

Our members range from recreational joggers, maybe aiming towards a 5k Park Run, to competitive longer distance runners, including off-road marathon runners. Regardless of your level of fitness, your pace or your preferred distance you will find members to run and train with.

Website - leedsfrontrunners.wordpress.com
Facebook -External link opens in new windowFacebook Logo
Twitter - @LFrontrunners

Leeds Griffins Quidditch Team

Quidditch is a full-contact, mixed gender sport with a strong LGBT+ inclusive angle. The Leeds team play a mixture of competitive matches, friendly matches and training for fun, so you can get involved at any level. We are a friendly club with lots of social opportunities outside of training, and we welcome people of all genders, sexualities and sporting ability. If you're interested in getting involved, please get in touch via Facebook, Twitter or email.

Training is every Wednesday and Saturday, meeting at the Leeds Student Union at 1pm to train on Woodhouse Moor.

Facebook - -External link opens in new windowFacebook Logo

Twitter-@LeedsGriffins

Email - leedsgriffinsquidditch@gmail.com​

Ichiban Dojo

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Ichiban Dojo, based on Meanwood Road, Leeds is a welcoming and inclusive martial arts centre that offers a variety of traditional Japanese martial arts as well as fitness and wellness sessions. Ichiban aims to provide members with the opportunity to learn and progress through any or all of the martial arts offered at the dojo and work towards their own goals. Martial arts offered at Ichiban include; Karate, Aikido and Judo and there are also yoga, Muay Thai and other fitness classes. Karate, Aikido and Judo cater for both adults and children, with classes especially designed for each group as well as some mixed age and grade sessions, perfect for families to train together. Martial arts are great for improving fitness, confidence and developing self-defence and the welcoming and encouraging environment at Ichiban, provides an excellent space for all to meet new people whilst setting and working towards their own goals whether it be earning a black belt(s) or simply getting fitter. 

If you’d like to find out more, please get in touch: Website: www.ichibanleeds.co.uk/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/IchibanLeeds/

Instagram - @ichibanleeds #ichibanleeds

Email - info@ichibanleeds.co.uk

 

 

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