no10. recognition for JUST A BALL GAME? founder.

 

Here at JUST A BALL GAME? we are very proud to announce that our founder LINDSAY ENGLAND has been given a POINTS OF LIGHT award from British Prime Minister Theresa May.

The Points of Light award recognises outstanding individual volunteers - people who are making a change in their community.

Below is the media release from no10.

 

 Prime Minister's Office
10 Downing Street   

  

                                                                                             

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

Just A Ball Game?

1182. Lindsay England

Lindsay England, originally from Bradford and living in Manchester, is the founder of ‘Just a Ball Game?’, an LGBT+ organisation campaigning to kick homophobic, biphobic and transphobic abuse and discrimination out of sport.

Lindsay, a lifelong Bradford City FC fan, originally started the organisation as a blog and then as a campaign organisation, which also project manages a women’s Futsal /5-a-side team locally in Manchester and the Bradford City LGBT+ Fan Group, a hub for LGBT+ supporters and non LGBT+ allies which aims to provide a safe space for fans and encourage greater inclusion in football and other sports.
 ‘Just a Ball Game?’ has since grown, aiming to raise the profile of LGBT+ people in sport and working with clubs and organisations at local and national level to promote inclusion. 

This work has included partnerships with ‘Kick It Out’, the anti-discrimination in football campaign, and the Home Office to issue LGBT-inclusive advice to match-day stewards. Lindsay has also worked with the TUC to design a toolkit for union officials offering practical advice on tackling homophobia at club level, and with the FA to host a conference at Wembley earlier this year discussing the most pressing issues facing the LGBT+ community in football.



In a personal letter to Lindsay, Prime Minister Theresa May said:
“Through ‘Just a Ball Game?’, you are sharing a powerful message of inclusion and equality for LGBT people in sport. Nobody should feel excluded from a sport that they love and your commitment to eradicating homophobia, biphobia and transphobia is truly remarkable. I wish you the very best in your continued work.”

Lindsay said:
“Just a Ball Game? Was founded in 2010 because I wanted to be able to make a difference. The recognition through a Points of Light award is testimony to the hard work and dedication volunteers achieve when they are given support on their journey.
“Today’s LGBT+ celebrations are tomorrow’s LGBT+ history.”


JBG? website:  http://www.justaballgame.co.uk/