It's late on a cold Tuesday night and I'm standing in a field up to my knees in mud but I absolutely love it. I've swapped my comfort, and warm, couch for a night spent playing rugby with Nottingham's first LGBT+ team, the Hurricanes, at the Nottingham Casuals Rugby Football Club.
I'm not going to lie in that joining a new sport can be really nerve-wracking because you worry about making friends, doing the wrong thing or even wearing the wrong kit. Being queer and Non-binary myself, I know there are extra concerns like explaining my pronouns (they/them) or talking about my partner which can sometimes make it feel easier not to go to things.
However, it's clear within five minutes of arrival that I need not have worried because the team are incredibly inclusive and friendly. There are players of all ages and abilities and most importantly, I'm not the only new person on the field. However, it turns out, watching rugby over a few pints is very different from playing rugby. Who knew?
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The Nottingham Hurricanes formed before the lockdown but started training again after restrictions eased. The team was set up with the aim of not just playing a good game but being as inclusive as possible and getting more LGBT+ people into sports.
Giles Radley, from Newark, is the chairperson of the Hurricanes and he explains the importance of LGBT+ teams. "There is a low representation of LGBT+ within sports. A lot of the team haven't played sports since school because they haven't felt welcome. Rugby being a traditionally masculine sport can put people off too," he explained.
"Inclusion is our pride so you can come and do as much as you want. You can get involved or come and just watch if you want."
I've never been one to back away from a challenge so I decided to get as involved as I can and join in. I'm a little terrified of having to tackle anyone so I'm grateful we are playing a game of touch instead. Although I do panic when the ball comes towards me and have to remember to pass it properly instead of yeeting it down the field while screaming in the opposite direction to get it away from me.
The team are incredibly patient with me and explain the rules as we go through practice. I'm surprised at how many players have turned out as we form two teams to play a quick game. By the end, I'm no longer feeling the cold and actually really enjoying racing towards people or the ball.
The inclusive nature of the team has been a big draw for some of the other players too. Luke Hutchinson, from Sneinton, started with the Hurricanes when they reformed after Covid.
"Lockdown was horrible so when things reopened again, I thought I needed a nice safe space as I'd been on my own for too long. I wanted something to do with fitness but being transgender, going to traditional rugby was not something that I thought was possible," Luke said.
"I found this club and it's literally open to everybody so for me it's perfect and really lovely. I've trained before at other clubs and I wanted to be somewhere where I could be unapologetically me. I don't have to worry about policing my language or behaviour. You can do that here as everyone is friendly and nice and we check things like pronouns when you speak to people."
Sarah Morgans, from Bulwell, started playing rugby in school but stopped playing when she left Wales. She said that the safe space created by the team helps to make others feel welcome and part of the group.
"I started playing with the Hurricanes a year ago. It really helped with my stamina, fitness and mental health. It's a safe space for anyone who might be a bit more afraid or feel they might be pushed out," she added.
It's not just Nottingham that has an LGBT+ team as there are many across the country and Internationally too. Giles is keen for the team to start playing more competitions next year.
"The first competition we played was called Touch my Brum which was organised by the Birmingham Bulls who are an international gay rugby (IGR) team. It had more than 45 teams with 400 players who descended on Birmingham to play. We competed and we didn't win any but we didn't lose by many," he said.
The team has also received full sponsorship and also launched a brand new kit thanks to backing from their sponsors. Giles said: "We wanted to get a kit to express who we are so needless to say, it's pink. I can't thank the sponsors, Cox Events, The Goat Bar and Behr Xplores enough. Without them, we wouldn't have been able to get the kits or fund finding a club to train in during the winter months."
Amazingly, the evening goes incredibly quickly and before I know it, it's time for the most important part of any training session: the post-match pint in the on-site bar. It's a great chance to catch up, discuss how training went and also defrost any frozen body parts.
While I may be cold, covered in mud and in desperate need of a hot water bottle, I realise I'm also smiling and really excited about the possibility of playing again. When next Tuesday comes, I find myself determined and back on the train to Beeston.
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