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Kent’s First LGBTQ+ Cricket Team/Club
We caught up with ambassador and member Jordan Chan to find out all about the club
What first inspired you to get involved with cricket, and how did you find your way to Invicta Icons?
As a Director of Swale Pride I was initially approached to attend a Pride Cricket Match at the Canterbury and Kent home ground, which introduced me to the Kent Cricket Foundation, who were keen to make cricket more inclusive across Kent for the LGBTQ+ community, when they launched their 6 session taster programme they reached out for me to help advertise across my platforms that included my own personal, Swale Pride and Queer Kent Life (a Instagram page that advertises and creates safe and inclusive spaces, events, prides, businesses and services for the LGBTQ community in Kent) and to attend the sessions.
To be honest I didn’t think I liked sports, as a kid PE and sports environments were always toxic and unwelcoming spaces, it wasn’t until I attended the sessions that I found a love for sports and cricket in my adult life. From the sessions and working with allies and members of LGBTQ+ community, Jack Kellam, Marcus Law and Thom Waters (who previously led a temporary LGBTQ+ team to cup victory) the Invicta Icons Cricket Team/Club was created with our own logo, Kit, Instagram and soon to be website.
As an ambassador for the club, what does your role involve day-to-day?
My role as the ambassador the Invicta Icons involves community engagement and outreach to help spread awareness of the club in the LGBTQ+ community of Kent. I look after the social page, and help with advertisement and getting sponsorship for the club that helps pay for safety equipment, Kit, and training space charges. We offer Gold, Silver and Bronze packages, LGBTQ+ owned businesses and venues that have sponsored are Cafe Nucleus our Gold Sponsor, and La Margate and Margate Beach Club as our silver sponsors with a number of LGBTQ+ venues in discussions to sponsor too.
How important is representation in sports, particularly in cricket, for the LGBTQ+ community?
Representation and visibility is vital, especially in sports. We hope that raising awareness of the Invicta Icons Cricket Club, that provides a safe, welcoming and inclusive space encourages more people to get involved and discover a love for cricket. There is so much untapped talent in Kent that is awaiting to be discovered!
What has been your most memorable moment playing with Invicta Icons so far?
My most memorable moment was sharing the news of sponsorship and showing the team their our new logo, banners, Instagram and training kits to show we mean business! The overall experience with this club has been brilliant and I know members of this team will become life long friends.
Have you faced any challenges as an LGBTQ+ cricketer, and how has the club helped address them?
I’ve been really fortunate that I haven’t come across any challenges within the club and that the club coaches, founders and members look out for one another, and have every confidence that if anything were to occur, they would take immediate appropriate action and safeguard.
How do you think inclusive teams like yours are changing the culture of cricket in the UK?
We are the first LGBTQ+ Cricket team in Kent and join around small group of other clubs across the country. Having a club in Kent and joining other LGBTQ+ clubs, shows mainstream cricket that there is a need to make cricket more accessible and inclusive!
What would you say to someone in the LGBTQ+ community who’s thinking about trying cricket for the first time?
If you’re in Kent, come along and say hi, there is no pressure to play or get involved straight away, but come and meet the team, watch us train and play I promise you won’t regret it!
What goals or ambitions do you have personally within the sport?
My goal is to help the team grow and future proof themselves, creating a safe space for the LGBTQ+ of Kent to learn and play cricket, helping discovery existing and untapped talent, win a cup and show future LGBTQ+ generations and current community that there is space for them!
Where do you see Invicta Icons in the next few years, and what impact do you hope it will have?
I see the Invicta Icons becoming a fully fledged cup winning LGBTQ+ safe haven and power house in Kent, that is showing mainstream cricket and other sports that the LGBTQ+ community matter, and that inclusivity is vital to ensure everyone has access to sporting opportunities, and should feel safe and shown the same respect and dignity of anyone else to ensure equality for all.