Award-winning community club Drumchapel United committed to a future of equality and inclusion on 31 January as they became the latest football club to sign the LGBT Sports Charter.
The LGBT Sports Charter is aimed at tackling homophobia, increasing LGBT inclusion within Scottish Sport and removing the barriers that LGBT people can face.
Drumchapel United’s commitment to ensuring that football is available to all, regardless of sexual orientation, is the latest in a long list of social initiatives to which the club and its volunteers are dedicated.
The club run a plethora of community programmes, including foodbank collections, Christmas toy collections, care home visits by the youth teams and mental health awareness schemes.
On the football side, they have 26 teams spread across 17 age groups, including a thriving girls’ section started in 2016.
The club’s dedication to community engagement was recognised with the Best Community Club award at the 2017 Scottish FA Grassroots Awards.
Minister for Public Health and Sport Aileen Campbell said: “Drumchapel United FC has been leading the way in community grassroots football recently and it is heartening to hear about the hard work the club has been doing to encourage more people to get involved in the sport and become more active.
“It is also fantastic that the club has signed up to the LGBT Sports Charter, which demonstrates its commitment to LGBT people in the local area, and shows that equality and diversity are at the heart of everything it does. I would encourage other organisations in the community to follow the club’s lead and do the same.”
Scott Bland, Club Secretary at Drumchapel United, said: “At Drumchapel United, community is at the heart of the club, whether that is on the pitch or through initiatives such as foodbanks, visiting care homes or our work in mental health and disability.
“The club touches everyone in the community and tells a positive message about Drumchapel – everywhere we go, we wear the badge with pride.
“Signing the LGBT Sports Charter is a massive step for the club and demonstrates the commitment we have made towards inclusivity.”
Andy Gould, Head of Football Development at the Scottish FA said: “Drumchapel United are a special club, as evidenced by their recognition as Best Community Club at the Scottish FA Grassroots Awards last year.
“It is fantastic to see the club commit to the LGBT charter and add to their extensive range of social initiatives. They are a wonderful example of what a community-focused club can achieve.”