COLCHESTER Kings Rugby Football club will be holding a series of free and open taster sessions for LGBTQ+ players and allies to kick off 2025.

Colchester Kings – East Anglia’s first LGBTQ+ inclusive rugby team – will be holding hour-long sessions on January 11 and January 12 in Ipswich, Chelmsford, and Colchester.

These sessions are aimed at LGBTQ+ men as well as allies and will be for all levels from seasoned athletes to people who “have never touched a rugby ball”.

As one of more than 30 teams competing in the International Gay Rugby (IGR) league across the UK, where they ranked second last year, the Kings will also be preparing for their biggest challenge yet - the Union Cup in Oslo.

The Union Cup will take place in May and will see more 2,500 players from across Europe compete in the continent’s biggest LGBTQ+ rugby tournament.

Winners - (L to R) Maggie Whiteman, safeguarding officer and former President of Colchester Rugby Club, Jay Rungen club captain, Sam Biscoe Chairperson and founder, Tom Crudgington team captain, and Karl O'Brien Chairman of Colchester Rugby Club at the Active Essex Sports Awards 2024 (Image: Submitted) The Kings are also celebrating a ‘landmark achievement’ as winners of the Active Essex ‘Sports Club of the Year 2024’

Head Coach Nick Bolton said: “Winning Sports Club of the Year is a huge honour and shows how far we’ve come in just two years since our formation.

With Oslo on the horizon, we’re ready to prove ourselves as a team built on hard work, dedication and an unbeatable team spirit. This is the perfect time to join us.”

● Ipswich Taster Session - Christchurch Park at 11am on Saturday January 11

● Chelmsford Taster Session - Central Park at 3pm on Saturday January 11

● Colchester Taster Session - Castle Park at 2pm on Sunday January 12

You do not need to bring anything with you to the session - but wearing a jumper is advised.