Who are we?
The Nottinghamshire Hurricanes are Nottingham's first and only LGBTQ+ inclusive rugby team, with players from across the Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire and Lincolnshire areas!
Impact
Though our team is in no way exclusive to LGBTQ+ people, LGBT people often face unique challenges, including isolation, discrimination, and a lack of safe spaces to express themselves authentically or participate in sport. Joining a team like ours can provide a transformative experience, offering a supportive environment where people can connect with others who share similar experiences. In these teams, people can build confidence, improve their physical and mental health, and develop valuable skills like teamwork and resilience. Beyond the game itself, they gain a sense of belonging and the opportunity to forge lifelong friendships, helping to combat feelings of exclusion and fostering pride in their identity. Sports teams like the Hurricanes are more than just athletic groups—they’re a vital source of empowerment and joy, enabling people who perhaps thought sport 'wasn't for them' to see that it is.
Why are we crowdfunding?
Our 2 large projects for the next year are the expansion of our team to include a full IGR Rugby Union team as well as a new set of kits for all players for the 2025-2027 seasons. All funds raised will be used to fund these projects, as well as provide a sustainable financial footing for the club for the next seasons.
We have a broader player network, some of whom have not actively participated or are waiting to come to training pending the formation of our new union team. Combining those numbers with our existing roster of Touch players - and through a big recruitment drive - we are very confident we can expand the Hurricanes to offer more members of the community the gift of sport!
How we’ll spend the money raised
The Hurricanes have already entered discussions with kit vendors to enable us to provide a new set of kits for the team to cover the next two years minimum. Commercial sponsors and match-sponsors will be able to help fund this, have their logos appear on the kit and discuss further opportunities for marketing and social opportunities.
A key part of expanding our team to include a full union team will be training people in a safe environment. To that end, we will use funds to provide tackle pads, hit shields, accessibility-equipment and other materials to ensure that - ahead of the start of the next union season in late-2025 - we have a team that is properly, safely trained.
Any additional funds beyond the above projects will be used to secure the long-term position of the club through pitch hire costs, tournament participation costs and the continued provision of an access fund and discounted dues for members who are students, unwaged or otherwise experiencing financial hardship.