AN INCLUSIVE football festival is set to start next month.

People of all genders have been invited to take part in the event at Preston Park this August.

It is part of an initiative to encourage more people from the LGBTQ+ community to get involved in football.

Six-a-side games will take place at 7pm every Thursday with money raised going to the Ledward Centre, a cultural hub for the LGBTQ+ community.

The festival has been organised by Sussex FA in partnership with Albion in the Community and Brighton and Hove City Council.

Jade Harker, development lead at Sussex, said the organisation had been working for a number of years "to ensure that our local LGBTQ+ community is included within football, as everyone should be".

Jade said: "We are now in a position to really expand the work we are doing and provide further opportunities for the LGBTQ+ community, and these summer festivals are just the start of what's to come. We are very excited.

"This is a free event, though we are raising money for the Ledward Centre, a fantastic LGBTQ+ centre in Brighton, and we encourage and welcome participation donations on the evening of the events."

The event is for players aged over 18 with players from the LGBTQ+ community - including transgender, non-binary and intersex people - invited to take part.

There will be three groups - female vs female, male vs male and mixed football.

The festival continues Sussex FAs ongoing work with BLAGSS - Brighton's LGBTQ+ sports society - and campaigners at Football v Homophobia.

Councillor Steph Powell, chairwoman of the tourism, equalities, communities and culture committee, said: "The arrival of the UEFA Women's Euros in the city next year has given us a brilliant opportunity to raise the profile of the sport, encourage participation and leave a lasting legacy across all communities.

"I welcome the initiative and the opportunities it provides for members of our LGBTQ+ community."

The event will offer opportunities to win prizes such as tickets to local football clubs, including Lewes FC and Brighton and Hove Albion.

There will also be the chance to win some fantastic prizes such as tickets to local football clubs, including Lewes Men's and Women's, Brighton and Hove Albion Men's and Women's.

Entries for application will close at 9pm on August 1.

Visit the Sussex FA website to find out more: https://www.sussexfa.com/news/2021/jul/23/lgbt-super-sixes

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