How much experience did you have of playing rugby before joining Coventry Corsairs RFC?
Like many of us on the team, sport wasn't my first choice growing up. At secondary school, I had a couple of rugby lessons but I think the way it was taught and presented to me just didn't make it very appealing at the time.

How did you first hear about Coventry Corsairs RFC?
I found the details while browsing on the Coventry City Council website. I had been aware of LGBTQ+ football but had never heard of inclusive rugby or the IGR before.

What made you decide to join the club?
For me personally there were a number of reasons.
Once I had finished my year at university I didn't have a lot going for me socially. While I still had some friends and connections in the area, I wanted to make new ones.
Also during my time at university I had put on a bit of weight so I had a goal to improve my physical health and fitness.
Ultimately though I just wanted to try something new but
I didn't think I would ever play in a 1st XV!

What's the best part of being a member of Coventry Corsairs RFC?
Being part of the club has definitely benefited my physical and mental health.
I think for a lot of people the best part can be the social side. There are no cliques or groups within the club. We are one big family. Like all families though we may have little disagreements, we are always there to back each other up.
Being part of the club has also been a really eye-opening experience for me when it comes to LGBTQ+ culture. Sadly for most of us we only meet other LGBTQ+ people in clubs or bars and even then you tend to only mix with people in your own age group. Within the Corsairs we have a broad age range. There are people your own age that you can relate to but also people older than you as well. Who you can talk to if you need help or advice.
I think the club portrays the LGBTQ+ community in a really positive light. Society in general can try and stereotype us as it can do in many cultures, but we are trying to break those preconceptions and show there is a lot more to us. Gay, Bi, Trans, Straight, Non-Binary - everyone has got a place to play sport and be on a team.
Also the amount of effort that goes on behind-the-scenes to run the Club is crazy so I have a huge amount of respect for the Committee, as lots of things wouldn't happen without them.

What are you most proud of achieving since joining the club?
There are a lot of achievements that i am proud of. Some may say they are minor but they all build up.
I really have surprised myself healthwise this year. I now go to the gym regularly. Running 5K in 26 minutes and 6 seconds was an awesome feeling knowing all the effort at the club and the gym had been worth it. I've even started doing 10k runs. I'm now finding outfits and suits I haven't worn in ages are fitting perfectly due to the amount of physical exercise I do.
Stepping up to take the Number 9 position after being encouraged by Raun and Liam was a big step for me. Being in that position has helped me understand the game better and feel more "me" on the pitch. It can also make me feel very masculine which sometimes is a good boost to my mental health and reminds me that I have come a long way since my first session.
When I started I was a bit timid in the club and only interacted with people if I needed to. Now on a Tuesday I might go to the pub with a few lads from the club or catch up with them during training to talk about everyday life.
I've even started going to sponsors' events to talk about the club and LGBTQ+ issues in the workplace.

What's your favourite memory of being part of Coventry Corsairs RFC?
There are so many! There's watching the World Cup at the clubhouse with the rest of the team, plus the weekly Parkruns - all of which have been great.
I think the most notable memory so far has been the first match against the Nottingham Hurricanes. Walking back in to the changing room while singing our heart out to "Sweet Caroline". That first victory and game will always be a happy memory in my eyes.
I also have some memories that are perhaps best not shared here, though I may tell them one day. ??

What advice would you give to anyone thinking of joining the club?
Growing up I was told I wouldn't achieve much and for various reasons wouldn't be able to function without help and support. It's nice to finally say at the age of 20 that I do live an independent life. I work two jobs, I have been to university and studied the course I wanted, and I still study languages in my spare time. As a person on the autism spectrum, I am happy that I live a fulfilling life. I don't like to talk about that side of my life a lot and I'm not very public about it but sometimes having that conversation can build bridges. I hope someone reading this can relate because when I was growing up I didn't have many people to relate to.
There is nothing stopping anyone from trying and giving a sport a try. I am 5' 6" so am comparatively tiny against the men I have to play against - many of whom are twice my build and size. It's all about saying "Go for it" and then just going for it!
You are going to walk away with cuts, bruises and injurys but that's part of the game.
We have a lot of games planned for the future and are even looking at international fixtures - plus next year, Coventry is City of Culture which we will be part of.
I want to see your face on the training pitch! This is the best time to be alive for rugby and LGBTQ+ sports. Respect who you are. No matter your sexuality or culture. Be you on that pitch and make yourself proud.

And finally...
Should #burpeesforgrant start trending on social media?
This needs to happen right now