Hull Roundheads
The Hull Roundheads Rugby Union Football Club is Hull's LGBTQ+ and inclusive rugby club based in Hull, England.
The club welcomes players at all skill levels and has both a rugby union and touch rugby team. It is a full member of the IGR.[1]
Naming
The name is a nod to Hull's history. During the English Civil War, the Ridings of Yorkshire in Northern England were all Royalists (Cavaliers) supporting the King’s forces. The soldiers of Parliament forces were known as the Roundheads, so named because of the shape of their helmets.
During this time the city’s elders refused to grant King Charles I entry into the city, slammed the gates shut and declared their allegiance to Parliament. Hull became the base that Oliver Cromwell later launched his successful campaign to take the North and win the Civil War.
History
The Hull Roundheads were established in 2018. The men’s union team spent its first year gaining important rugby knowledge and experience through training and friendlies. It saw its first attempt to play in the IGR UK Northern League in 2019-20 end with the introduction of lockdown in March 2020.
With the union team then recommencing its journey by participating in the IGR UK Northern Development League in 2021-22, coming 2nd overall having led the league table up to finals day. The union team participated in the Northern Development League again in 2022-23, coming 2nd again overall.
The Roundheads established a mixed touch team in 2021. The team played in the IGR’s inaugural Northern Touch Series in 2022 (played under England Touch rules), coming 5th overall. The touch team continue their journey with participation in the IGR’s Northern Touch Series in 2023.
Club
The club is run by a Committee led by a Chair, Secretary and Treasurer. The training for both teams is overseen by a coaching team led by a Head Coach. Both the union and touch teams are led on-field by respective Captains and Vice Captains.
The club was awarded a major grant in 2021 from the Ideas Fund[2] (by British Science Association and funded by Wellcome Trust) to investigate obstacles LGBTQ+ people face in participating in sports. This grant has seen a play be written using testimonials from current and former Roundheads in the form of “Safer” by Dr Sarah Jane Dickenson. Additionally, the club were given a Civic Crown Award from the Lord Mayor of Hull in 2021, recognising the work the club has done to promote LGBTQ+ inclusivity in the city.
Both the union and touch teams train at the Hull University sports pitches.
References
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