Birmingham Bulls is at the heart of the West Midlands’ LGBTQ+ community, and the club is determined to create a welcoming environment for anyone committed to making rugby more inclusive.
The Bulls were formed in 2011 by a group of friends who wanted to set up a rugby hub at the heart of Birmingham’s LGBTQ+ scene and the club has gone from strength to strength ever since.
This year the Bulls hosted the Union Cup, which is considered to be Europe’s premier marquee inclusive rugby tournament, with 2,000 players from more than 18 countries taking part.
And as the club grows, club secretary Tim Marshall wants to dispel the myth that inclusive rugby is just for gay men, insisting that Birmingham Bulls is a welcoming place for anybody regardless of race, age, ability, experience or sexual orientation.
“I think there are stereotypes about inclusive rugby teams that they are principally all gay men, but actually that is not the case,” said the 37-year-old from Coventry.
“There are also people who come into inclusive rugby because they like the atmosphere.
“There is an opportunity to free yourself from the preconceptions people have about rugby.
“We were founded by a group of friends who wanted to play rugby in an inclusive context in Birmingham and the West Midlands.
Photo credit: Alan Whittingdon
“The idea was that we would be an inclusive rugby team that was in the heart of the Birmingham LGBTQ+ community.
“We have always set our goal of making sure we are accessible to people, we want to make sure that everyone who wants to play rugby has the chance to.
“We have low membership fees, we play locally and make it as easy as possible and have the barriers as low as possible so that people can play rugby.
“We wanted to create a more inclusive atmosphere for people from a wide range of backgrounds.”
The Bulls club secretary played rugby as a child, falling out of love with the sport during his teenage years before being inspired to put his boots back on after watching Wasps play in Coventry.
Marshall is now a proud utility forward with the Bulls, ready to step in wherever he is needed in the pack.
He has also been club secretary for a year but admits that he was nervous before becoming a member in 2018.
“A couple of my friends and my partner basically edged me on to go to training with bulls,” said Marshall.
“It took me a couple of weeks actually to get the courage to go and do it.
“As someone who hadn’t played rugby for a very long time but also as someone who wasn’t open about their sexuality as well, I didn’t know anyone in the gay community.
“I kept my private life very private and so I suppose going to training at an inclusive rugby club, I felt a little bit nervous going along.
“I went to my first session and everyone was just really nice, and I think that is what it comes down to.
Photo Credit: Alan Whittington
“You come into a community where everybody shares a bit of common ground, or at least appreciates what it means to play in an inclusive rugby team.”
Marshall believes his time playing at Bulls has helped him develop his sense of self and better understand his own sexuality.
“As it is for many of us, it is often a bit of a journey,” he said.
“Coming out is a process that happens again and again and again in your life.
“It is not something that tends to happen just once, but for me personally, it has helped me engage with my sense of self as a gay man.
“Bulls had a big part in my coming out story.
“For some people in our team, they aren’t fully out yet, even now I don’t make it public at work for example.
“I suppose I have been relatively fortunate, there was one person who came to our club having experienced quite a bit of homophobia within rugby.”
Bulls took centre stage as Birmingham became the ninth city to host the Union Cup this year.
They were named the host club for the 2021 Union Cup in 2019, but due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the tournament did not get underway until April 2023.
“Obviously it didn’t happen, but we were obviously planning our bid to host it long before that, so the tournament was probably six years in the making,” he said.
“Welcoming almost 50 rugby teams from across Europe to Birmingham for three days of rugby was amazing.
“We were supported by an incredible cast of volunteers and a community that was determined to make it happen.
“It produced a great tournament, not just with some great rugby with a great vibe as well.”
Marshall is not the only person who has had their love for rugby rejuvenated by Birmingham Bulls.
Nathaniel Brown, 30, from Birmingham played at school for many years but got back on the pitch 18 months ago.
“Playing rugby gave me a new lease of life while I was at school, I really enjoyed it but I didn’t find the opportunity to play between then and 18 months ago,” he said.
“But I thought I would give it a go again in the last couple of years or so.
“Bulls’ inclusive ethos has been a huge part of me getting back in the sport, me being the person I am, it is quite difficult to know what spaces will be safe for me.
“It is good to know that not only do I love the sport, but I am surrounded by like-minded people as well.
“You can talk to people, feel safe, and feel comfortable without worrying about prejudice or anything like that.”
Photo Credit: Alan Whittington
Brown also plays for a Birmingham-based inclusive football team.
And the 30-year-old believes the city is becoming a focal point for inclusive sport in England.
He added: “Definitely, both teams have been going for over ten years now.
“People can see that there is other stuff away from things with more of a party atmosphere.
“There are sports teams where you can feel safe and meet like-minded individuals.
“It is really important and I think it is a huge credit to Birmingham.”
