Bohemian Football Club and the Dublin Devils, the city’s oldest LGBTQ+ football club, are delighted to announce the second series of the Pride on the Pitch programme in partnership with Rethink Ireland, commencing on Wednesday, October 30, 2024.
The Pride on the Pitch (PotP) programme was launched by Bohemians in 2023 and has provided a weekly space where LGBTQ+ individuals aged 18-24 can come together and enjoy the mental health and social benefits of football.
The second series of sessions will see the PotP programme now offer open sessions three times per week, with Bohs and the Devils working in tandem. The 1hr long football sessions are open to all abilities and are held in two city centre locations across Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.
The programme will continue to offer participants access to mental health supports, as well as other social events.
Bohemians and the Devils have been working closely together since 2023 to promote diversity within football, and tackle homophobia and transphobia within the sport.
Pride on the Pitch is funded in part through The HeadStart Fund, created by Rethink Ireland, Zurich Foundation, and the HSE.
Aibhínn Conway, Head of Community, Bohemian FC, said “we are thrilled to announce the second series of Pride on the Pitch programme in partnership with the Dublin Devils. The Programme has had good success to-date, and we believe that our second series will engage even more young LGBTQ+ people, in particular those at risk or struggling with their mental health.
“We could not ask for a better partner than the Dublin Devils who already do fantastic work in this area.
“The project aims to make sure that everyone feels welcome and included. By engaging young people in a fun and familiar activity, we can create a safe and non-judgmental environment in which people feel comfortable discussing their mental health and building collective resilience.”
Robin Regan, Dublin Devils member, said “after realising I was trans, I felt very disconnected from my passion for football and stopped playing for a year. Finding the Dublin Devils a couple of years ago has been one of the best things that happened to me in the past few years and I wouldn’t be playing football, one of my biggest passions, without them.”
Séamus Byrne, Pride on the Pitch participant, said “it has been a pleasure attending the Pride on the Pitch weekly sessions. Undoubtedly, it has greatly helped my mental health and motivated me to get back playing football. I’m really looking forward to the next series of sessions with Bohs and the Devils.”
To enquire about attending the sessions, contact dublindevilsfc@gmail.com