Rowing, Rugby and Tennis Clubs Lead Shortlist for 2026 Out For Sport Awards

The fifth Out For Sport Awards will take place on Friday 16 October at Ballie Ballerson in Shoreditch, with 15 clubs, teams and organisations named on the shortlist across 11 categories. Out For Sport, the charity and member network supporting LGBTQ+ inclusive sports clubs in London and the South East, received more than 50 nominations this year, covering sports from rugby and rowing to padel, jiu jitsu and tennis.

Three clubs lead the way with four shortlist places each: London Otters Rowing Club, North London Lob-sters Tennis and Kings Cross Steelers RFC, who recently won the 2026 Bingham Cup, the world's largest inclusive rugby tournament. Last year's Club of the Year, Ishigaki Ju Jitsu, is back with two nominations, one for its Gay Games competitors in Team of the Year and one for Sam Woodcock in Sporting Achievement of the Year.

The shortlist reflects a mix of long-established clubs and newer ones built from scratch. All-Out Padel and Gayzelles Sporting Club go head to head for Emerging Club of the Year, while Ace Players Tennis Croydon, Brazukas Universe and Kings Cross Steelers RFC are in contention for Club of the Year. Volunteers are recognised too, with Jordan Chan of Invicta Icons Cricket, Simon Shipman of North London Lob-sters Tennis and Richard Walton of Out to Swim shortlisted for Volunteer of the Year.

The Ivan Bussens Lifetime Achievement Award, named in memory of Out For Sport's co-founder, will go to one of three finalists recognised for years of dedication to LGBTQ+ sport: Leigh Armstrong of Ace Players Tennis Croydon, Ben Gifford of Out to Swim, or Richard Freeman of Kings Cross Steelers RFC.

David Lionetti, co-chair of Out For Sport, said the nominations showed what these clubs mean to the people in them. “Every nomination this year told the story of someone finding their place in sport,” he said. “LGBTQ+ inclusive clubs are where people build confidence, friendships and community, and these awards are our chance to say thank you to the people who make that happen.”

To find out more about the Out For Sport Awards, or to get tickets to the awards night, visit the Out For Sport website.