Become a Sponsor Today
Partnering with Brighton & Hove Sea Serpents RFC presents a distinctive and meaningful opportunity to align your brand with a team that proudly champions inclusivity, diversity, and active community involvement. Since 2015, we’ve grown from a handful of players into a thriving club that changes lives through sport and community. As we mark our 10th anniversary this year, your support will help us continue to grow, reach more people, and keep spreading our message that rugby truly is for everyone.
Who we are
At Brighton & Hove Sea Serpents RFC, we take immense pride in being an inclusive rugby club that welcomes individuals from all walks of life, regardless of background, size, ability, gender identity, or sexual orientation.
Founded in 2015 as the South’s first gay-inclusive rugby team, we’ve grown into a thriving community that champions mutual respect and support both on and off the pitch. Being part of the Sea Serpents is about far more than just playing rugby; it’s about creating a safe, welcoming space where everyone is encouraged to be themselves, free from judgment or prejudice.
Our core values are firmly rooted in inclusivity, diversity, and respect. We believe that rugby, like all sports, should be accessible to everyone, whether someone is an experienced player looking to get back on the field or a complete beginner taking their first steps into the game.
There is always a place for anyone at the Sea Serpents. Our affiliation with International Gay Rugby (IGR) underscores our commitment to these values, connecting us with a worldwide network of inclusive clubs that share our vision of breaking down barriers in sport and promoting equality for all.
Beyond the game, our club plays an active and visible role within Brighton’s vibrant LGBTQ+ community. Every year, we participate in landmark events such as Brighton & Hove Pride and Brighton Bear Weekend, as well as charity fundraisers, awareness campaigns, and community outreach initiatives. These activities enable us to raise vital funds for local LGBTQ+ causes and promote the physical and mental health benefits of inclusive sport. By being present at these events, whether we’re marching in the Pride parade, running inclusive rugby taster sessions, or hosting community socials, we amplify our message that everyone deserves a safe and supportive space to belong.
Being a Sea Serpent means more than pulling on a jersey; it means representing a diverse and inspiring community that lifts each other up, builds confidence, and forges friendships that last a lifetime. Whether we’re cheering each other on during matches, supporting new players at training sessions, or socialising at local venues, we are more than just a rugby club — we are a family.
By partnering with the Brighton & Hove Sea Serpents RFC, you’re not only supporting grassroots rugby — you’re actively investing in a club that is breaking down barriers, challenging stigma, and making a real difference in people’s lives. Together with our sponsors and partners, we can continue to grow our reach, make rugby accessible to more people, and strengthen the positive impact we have within Brighton’s LGBTQ+ community and beyond.
Why Sponsor Us
INCLUSIVITY AND DIVERSITY
We’re a symbol of what true inclusivity can look like in the world of sport. You’re not just funding a sports team, you're actively championing the values of equality, acceptance, and community belonging. You’re helping to break down barriers, tackle stigma, and show that everyone deserves the chance to thrive, both on and off the pitch. A partnership demonstrates your brand’s genuine commitment to social responsibility and diversity. It sends a powerful message to the wider community that you stand with organisations driving positive change.
EXTENSIVE BRAND EXPOSURE
Your brand will gain broad and meaningful exposure throughout the year, both locally and internationally. Our club regularly plays matches and tournaments across the South Region and beyond, proudly representing Brighton’s LGBTQ+ community and our sponsors wherever we go. From local league fixtures to international competitions within the International Gay Rugby (IGR) network, your logo and message will be seen by a diverse and engaged audience. Your sponsorship won’t go unnoticed.
POSITIVE PUBLICITY & COMMUNITY GOODWILL
Partnering with a team recognised for its strong values and positive community impact can generate meaningful and lasting goodwill for your brand or business. Proudly showcased, ensuring your brand is seen by players, supporters, the wider community, and the local media alike. As a visible supporter of inclusivity, equality, and grassroots sport, your business will benefit from favourable publicity that goes far. You’ll be associated with real community impact, helping to break down barriers in sport and supporting people to build confidence, friendships, and wellbeing. In an age where consumers increasingly value social responsibility, this partnership will reinforce your reputation as a forward-thinking, inclusive organisation dedicated to making a difference.
Where your money goes
You’re not just putting your logo on a jersey, you’re directly supporting the real, everyday costs that keep our club thriving and our players safe, equipped, and ready to represent our community with pride.
Your support helps cover a wide range of essential expenses that make an immediate and lasting difference. Every pound you invest helps us remove barriers, build skills, keep players safe, and grow an inclusive rugby family that welcomes everyone.
Short Term & Seasonal Costs
Home and away playing kit and training wear
Medical supplies and first aid cover for matches and training
Travel costs for away matches (minibus hire, train travel, hotels)
Matchday food and refreshments for players and visiting teams
Referee fees and competition registration costs
Laundry and kit storage
End-of-season awards to recognise our players and volunteers
Long Term Investments
Tackle pads, cones, hurdles, bibs and other training equipment
Coaching and first aid qualifications for volunteers and players
Player insurance to ensure everyone can play safely
Marketing and recruitment campaigns to grow our membership
Coaching fees and venue hire for training sessions and fixtures
Administrative costs and club insurance
Brighton & Hove is home to one of the UK’s largest LGBTQ+ populations, with an estimated 25,247 (10.6%) of residents identifying as LGBTQ+ (Healthwatch Brighton & Hove, 2024). At least 2,341 (1%) of residents aged 16+ identify with a gender different from the sex registered at birth. Double what is found in South East (0.5%) and England (0.5%). (Healthwatch Brighton & Hove, 2024). Despite the city’s reputation for inclusivity, many LGBTQ+ people continue to face significant social, financial, and health inequalities.
Why LGBTQ+ Community Sport Matters in Brighton & Hove
Brighton & Hove contains neighbourhoods within the 20% most deprived areas in England (Brighton & Hove City Council, 2024).
LGBTQ+ adults are more likely to experience: Self-harm, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, housing insecurity, feeling unsafe at night, and weaker community belonging (Brighton & Hove City Council, 2024).
65% of adults in the most deprived areas undertake less than 30 minutes of sport or physical activity per week (Brighton & Hove City Council, 2024).
Brighton & Hove experiences higher mental health challenges and suicide rates than the England average (Brighton & Hove City Council, 2024).
The cost-of-living pressures disproportionately affect younger adults, renters, and marginalised communities (Brighton & Hove City Council, 2024).
Community sport plays a vital role beyond physical activity alone. LGBTQ+ inclusive sports clubs create environments that support mental well-being, social connection, confidence, resilience, and long-term community integration. For many individuals, joining a sports club may represent their first opportunity to access a supportive peer network, develop friendships, or feel fully accepted within a team environment.
Research consistently shows that participation in sport and physical activity can improve mental well-being, reduce social isolation, and strengthen community cohesion. However, LGBTQ+ people have historically faced barriers within traditional sporting environments due to discrimination, exclusionary culture, homophobia, transphobia, or fear of judgment. This makes intentionally inclusive clubs particularly important. Brighton & Hove Sea Serpents RFC exists not only as a rugby club, but as a community organisation committed to creating safe, welcoming, and accessible spaces for LGBTQ+ people and allies through sport.
Sponsorship and external funding play a critical role in sustaining our community. Financial support helps ensure that cost is not a barrier to participation and enables the club to continue delivering accessible, community-focused sport.
Get in Touch - Sponsor and Support Us Today
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