Shining a light on grassroots change, Kent’s first LGBTQ+ dedicated cricket team , the Invicta Icons , is already turning heads after being showcased at the Out4Cricket National Conference; it’s a story about inclusion, new players, and why safe spaces in sport still matter.

Essential takeaways

  • New team: The Invicta Icons are Kent Cricket Foundation’s first LGBTQ+ dedicated side, open to players and allies of any ability.
  • Conference spotlight: The team was represented at the Out4Cricket National Conference to share their launch and learn from other inclusive-club models.
  • Friendly and ambitious: After winter training, the Icons run sessions and fixtures across Kent, aiming to bring a team to the EuroGames in Cardiff 2027.
  • Support network: The conference offered practical guidance from clubs on taster sessions, kitemarks and grassroots growth, adding real ideas for expansion.
  • How to join: Interested players or clubs can email the Foundation’s LGBTQ+ ambassador or EDI officer to get involved.

Why the Invicta Icons are a quiet revolution in Kent sport

The most striking thing about the Invicta Icons is how ordinary it feels , people meeting, laughing, and learning to bowl , while doing something quietly radical: creating a cricket space where LGBTQ+ players and allies belong. According to the Kent Cricket Foundation, the Icons sprang from a desire to make cricket accessible for anyone curious to try the game. The team’s friendly vibe and steady growth show inclusion isn’t just policy language, it’s practical and social.

News from the Out4Cricket conference made that point clear: grassroots approaches like taster sessions and local kitemark programmes help clubs reach new players. If you’re a club organiser, starting with a low-pressure taster session or a weekly mixed-ability training slot is often the best way to test demand and build trust.

What happened at the Out4Cricket National Conference , and why it matters

The conference focused on getting LGBTQ+ people into cricket at a grassroots level, and the Invicta Icons were one of several case studies shared. Representatives from clubs such as Worcester Nomads and Norfolk Foundation talked tactics they’d used to bring people in, while national speakers linked recreational competition to wellbeing and community growth. It was a day of practical ideas , from outreach to running inclusive fixtures , which Kent’s team can now adapt.

For clubs thinking of following suit, the takeaway was simple: inclusion projects work when they combine visibility, clear contact points, and welcoming first sessions. The Out4Cricket resources and club kitemark are helpful tools for clubs unsure where to begin.

Meet the people: ambassadors, officers and players behind the Icons

Gabriella Rolls, Kent’s EDI Officer, and Jordan Chan, the Foundation’s LGBTQ+ Ambassador and a founding member of the Icons, represented the project at the conference. They framed the team as both a sporting unit and a community hub, stressing how quickly people had started their cricketing journeys. Their reflections underline an important truth: a few committed individuals can change how a sport feels for newcomers.

If you’re wondering how to get involved, the Foundation publishes direct contact details and an Instagram account for fixtures and updates. A quick email or DM is often all it takes to trial a session , and yes, people report the first session is usually more about smiles than scoreboards.

From winter nets to EuroGames ambitions , the Icons’ practical plan

After a successful winter of training, the Icons have carried that momentum into friendly fixtures across Kent, and they’ve set a clear ambition: to field a team at the EuroGames in Cardiff in 2027. That goal gives the group a focus beyond weekly fun; it helps with recruitment, fundraising, and planning.

For other groups plotting a similar path, aim for staged objectives: establish regular practice, arrange friendly fixtures, then set a competition goal. It keeps new players engaged and gives organisers measurable milestones to celebrate.

How clubs can become more LGBTQ+ inclusive , simple steps that work

The Out4Cricket conference highlighted several proven measures: run open taster sessions, adopt an inclusion charter or kitemark, train volunteers in inclusive language, and promote contact points clearly on club websites and socials. Surrey and other county foundations have run similar programmes with good uptake, showing the model scales.

Practical tip: advertise sessions as mixed-ability and ally-friendly, name a contact person, and pick a visibly welcoming meeting spot. Small gestures , a pictured group photo, inclusive signage, or a short equality statement , make a big difference to someone deciding whether to show up.

It's a small change that can make every innings safer and more fun.

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