FOOTBALL FIXTURE CELEBRATES DUCHY DIVERSITY

On Sunday 4 February, our staff swapped tap shoes for football boots in an exhibition match with new LGBTQIA+ team Stargazy FC!

In a celebration of Cornish diversity and inclusion, we headed to Hayle Athletic Football Club for a friendly match, which saw Stargazy grab the spotlight with a commanding 9-3 victory over our theatre part-timers.

Spectators were treated to a pre-match display by The Supernova Cheerleading team from Embrace Dance Fitness led by Jade Stewart-Tribe and Sammy Jo Crocker.

“I bumped into Stargazy FC on Instagram. My team found their story irresistible, and we become immediate friends. At HfC we're always looking to dismantle barriers and champion diversity through our own work, but here was a Cornish football team doing just that."

- Julien Boast, CEO of Hall for Cornwall, cheering on from the sidelines

Stargazy FC is an LGBTQIA+ Cornish football team who champion inclusivity right across the Duchy, making it possible for diversity to truly flourish in team sport. Their very existence is proof that there is a space for everyone in Cornwall.

“Everyone at Stargazy FC is always excited to play any match, but playing against our friends from Hall for Cornwall was an extra special occasion. HfC supported the concept of Stargazy from the very beginning, they understand the need for inclusive spaces in Cornwall for LGBT+ people whether that be on the pitch or on the stage and everything in between. The game was a huge amount of fun.”

- Richard Pallott from the Cornwall FA

Julien Boast continues: “We're open to all and committedly so! With Black Voices Cornwall, Cornwall Pride, Wildworks Theatre and TecWomen already resident in our building, we saw this as an opportunity to build a new partnership and shine a spotlight on an initiative that's making it possible for an ever-more diverse collection of people to enjoy team sport. Cornwall is diverse, and participatory events like this are a perfect showcase.”

Hall for Cornwall sponsors, DHL, proudly supported the event. Stuart Scott from DHL Express, who partner with HfC’s Get Creative programme added:“DHL and Hall for Cornwall promote an inclusive work environment that values the diversity, equality, inclusion and belonging of all their employees and environment in which everybody feels accepted and can be their best self. This fantastic initiative embraces all those key values and goes to the heart of everything we do at DHL.”

A special thank you to DHL as shirt sponsors and Truronian Coaches as official transport provider.

Photos by Hugh Hastings.