> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Brighton's LGBTQ+ rugby club, Sea Serpents, invite LGBTQ+ beginners to take the plunge - URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/brightons-lgbtq-rugby-club-sea-serpents-invite-lgbtq-beginners-to-take-the-plunge/ - Published: 2026-09-04T11:30:16.000Z - Updated: 2026-09-04T11:33:39.000Z - Author: Graham Robson - Tags: Features & Longread When **Brighton & Hove Sea Serpents** [launch their next **Try Rugby programme**](https://forms.cloud.microsoft/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=DQSIkWdsW0yxEjajBLZtrQAAAAAAAAAAAAMAAAUViHBUMDdaVTJBSFE5RjVFMDBXOVhQSFBYMEZIMS4u&route=shorturl&ref=scenemag.co.uk)on **Wednesday, 16 September**, participants will be taking far more than their first steps into one of the world's most physical sports. For many, the 12-week course will mark the beginning of a journey towards greater confidence, improved mental health and a sense of belonging within a welcoming LGBTQ+ community. Designed for complete beginners as well as those returning to the game after time away, the programme removes many of the barriers that can stop people from getting involved in sport. No previous rugby experience is required and participants do not need to arrive with a particular level of fitness. Instead, the focus is on learning the fundamentals, building confidence and enjoying the experience alongside others who are starting from a similar place. Run by one of the UK's leading inclusive rugby clubs, the programme offers a judgement-free environment where LGBTQ+ people and allies can discover the sport while forming friendships and becoming part of a supportive community. That sense of belonging is something **Alex** understands all too well. "As a trans person who used to play a lot of team sports as a child and teenager, I had to stop when I could no longer play in a team that reflected my gender," he says. ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/09/BLK02574.jpg) ****Brighton & Hove Sea Serpents. Image submitted** "Finding Try Rugby and the Sea Serpents has been incredible for both my mental and physical health. Being trans is not only accepted and celebrated, but no one bats an eyelid. On and off the pitch we're all just guys having a good time." For Alex, the programme provided a safe introduction to a sport that can often appear daunting from the outside. "Try Rugby was such a good introduction into what is quite a brutal sport, in an incredibly safe and structured way," he says. "I can't recommend it enough for any trans people who might be scared of gendered sports, but also for anyone who wants a safe place to exercise and improve their mental and physical health." His experience reflects a challenge faced by many LGBTQ+ people. Research has consistently shown that queer and trans people are less likely to participate in organised sport because of fears around discrimination, exclusion or simply not fitting in. The Sea Serpents are working to change that narrative one training session at a time. For **Danny**, joining the club proved to be about much more than learning how to pass a rugby ball or make a tackle. "Joining an LGBTQ+ team has been a transformative experience," he says. "It's not just about playing a sport I've quickly fallen in love with. It's like finding a second family." He describes the impact the team has had on his wellbeing. "The team's incredible support has helped me feel like I belong and has significantly improved my mental health. We push each other, laugh together and have a strong community. It's about connection, confidence and having fun." ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/09/BLK06842--1-.JPG) ****Brighton & Hove Sea Serpents. Image submitted** That newfound confidence has extended beyond the rugby pitch. "I'll even be marching in my first ever Pride parade with my teammates, feeling proud and supported," he says. For some participants, the programme offers a chance to challenge long-held perceptions about sport and themselves. **Gus** admits he spent years convincing himself rugby was not for him. "I'd never played team sports. School and university teams always felt toxic, so rugby felt like a big leap," he says. Looking for something to complement his weight training and provide a sense of shared purpose, he found himself signing up for Try Rugby just days before it began. "I kept saying, 'It's not for me'. Still, I joined feeling excited with a touch of terror." Those nerves quickly began to fade. "From day one, the team's welcoming attitude and support kept me coming back," he says. "In just months, I've faced my fears, built confidence and learned to let go and enjoy the moment." ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/09/IMG_5974.JPG) **Image submitted** His experience highlights one of the programme's biggest successes. Participants are not expected to arrive as athletes. Instead, they are encouraged to learn at their own pace in an environment where mistakes are part of the process. For **Mika**, who had never picked up a rugby ball before joining, that supportive atmosphere was crucial. "When I joined the Try Rugby programme, I didn't just discover a new sport. I found a team where I can truly be myself," he says. "Learning the game feels comfortable and fun, surrounded by teammates and coaches who create a safe and welcoming space for everyone." He believes the programme offers something increasingly valuable in modern life. "Whether you've never picked up a ball before, like me, or you're looking for a fresh start, this is where rugby becomes more than a sport. It's a place where you find your people." ![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/09/b4ffc384-eb7c-462d-ac2e-8700fd4b96e9.jpg) ****Image submitted** That idea of "finding your people" is one that runs throughout the Try Rugby programme. While participants spend 12 weeks learning passing, tackling, positioning and game awareness, they are also building friendships and support networks that often continue long after the programme ends. The culmination of the course is a graduation match, where participants put their newly acquired skills into practice before being formally welcomed into the wider Sea Serpents family. For many, it marks the end of one journey and the beginning of another. In a city renowned for its LGBTQ+ community, the Sea Serpents have created something that extends beyond rugby itself. The club offers a space where people can challenge themselves, improve their fitness, make friends and, perhaps most importantly, feel accepted exactly as they are. 💡 The Brighton & Hove Sea Serpents' next 12-week Try Rugby programme begins on ****Wednesday 16 September**. The course is open to complete beginners and anyone looking to rebuild their confidence in the sport. At the end of the programme, participants take part in a graduation match before being welcomed into the club. [SIGN UP HERE](https://forms.cloud.microsoft/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=DQSIkWdsW0yxEjajBLZtrQAAAAAAAAAAAAMAAAUViHBUMDdaVTJBSFE5RjVFMDBXOVhQSFBYMEZIMS4u&route=shorturl&ref=scenemag.co.uk)