The Belfast Azlans: Leading the Way for LGBTQ Inclusive Rugby up North

We recently caught up with Belfast’s LGBTQ inclusive rugby club, the Belfast Azlans, to find out more about the history of their club, how they are coping through covid, and what their plans are for the future.

Tell us a bit about the background of the Belfast Azlans?

The Azlans was founded about 5 years ago by Kevin Bartlett. The team fills the gap left by the Ulster Titans, Northern Ireland’s previous inclusive development team. With the discontinuation of the Titans, lessons have been learned and applied to the new start up team. 

Over the years the club has seen a steady growth. Today we have roughly 25 players, consisting of a good core team and a few players dipping in and out. In November 2018, the team became a part of Ophir RFC, one of the oldest rugby teams in Belfast, as their development team. We have an excellent coach, Gareth Anderson, having played rugby for over 20 years. With his involvement, the team has seen a marked improvement in skill and strategy and brings out the best in our players.

Whilst we still retain our identity, we now act as a feeder team with some players fielding for Ophir’s first and second teams. The arrangement not only gives the Azlans access to world class facilities at our new grounds at University of Ulster Jordanstown, but also valuable expertise, and experience from a wider network of club players and coaches.

How have the Azlans adjusted to coping with Covid since March?

Before lockdown the team took part in the Hadrian’s Cup. This was the first time the team played together and was a major confidence boost for our players. The momentum gained from this experience was brought to a sudden stop with the onset of lockdown and impacting plans we have had for the team. 

The team needed to adjust, we took fitness training and social events online. This helped the players maintain some form of social contact. This period also allowed us to reflect on the purpose of the team and focus on outreach and building our player base.

Coming out of lockdown, we take on board what we have learned from this period and actively organise activities away from rugby to help team building and develop friendships.

How are yourself and the players managing your wellbeing during the latest lockdown?

Northern Ireland has only seen one lockdown period. However, at the time or writing, it has been announced all regional matches are cancelled. Training can still go ahead. If more restrictions are imposed we will revert back to our lockdown programme, it worked for the team, fitness and overall player wellbeing.

In what ways do you think club members benefit from being a member of this club?

Players benefit from being a member of the Azlans and Ophir by being part of something bigger, being part of a team and a club. The team helps to build a sense of community, guys who under normal circumstances would not normally meet or mix. The camaraderie between everyone is amazing, everyone looks out for each other and help each other through tough situations. It gives them something different to do, to channel a bad week at work or at college or uni into something constructive, learning new skills, getting fit both in body and mind, building confidence and demolishing stereotypes.

What kind of challenges do you think need to be overcome to make the sport of rugby a more inclusive sport for all?

Rugby is inclusive, however due to the physicality of the game for people, especially adults who have never played before and want to give it a go. 

It can be a daunting experience to start the game when you are confronted with 30 guys who have been playing since they were no age and despite everyone's best efforts to include beginners, it can prove very difficult to sustain their attendance at training.

What are the long term goals of the Azlans and what steps need to be taken to achieve them?

At the moment it is important for us to get some game play, either locally, in the south or other development teams within easy reach, current restrictions permitting.

Long term plan for us is to continue to grow playing numbers to help introduce new people to the game of rugby. Eventually, Covid-19 aside, we will be playing and competing in league games as a fully registered team in the Ulster leagues. 

However to continue the vision of the Azlans, we may need to reset to a certain degree if we get a new influx of players who have never played before, to provide them with a similar experience that the current player base has had over the past few years and develop the new players to a point where they can start playing games too.

Find out more:

Visit www.ophirrugby.com or https://www.facebook.com/inclusiverugbyni/ to get in touch with the Belfast Azlans!