Written by Marco Nunn, Inclusion and Accessibility Officer for the Reading Renegades RFC
Diego Miguel Dominguez Domenech is one of the founding members of the Reading Renegades, the first LGBTQ+ rugby club in Berkshire. I caught up with him this LGBTQ+ History Month to ask him how and why the club was formed.
Founder Reading Renegades RFC
So, Diego, Hello! So great to catch up! Can you tell me a little about how the Renegades came into existence?
Hi There! Let’s start with a little bit of history! I moved to the UK from Malaga in 2013 and moved on my own, knowing nobody. I was quite lonely and was looking at things to get involved in, when I found there was a local Gay rugby club, the Wessex Wyverns. I joined, even though I had never been involved in any team sports at all! It was a great club, I was welcomed and really enjoyed it. I even got to experience the Union Cup!
Then due to work commitments, I moved to Berkshire. I tried commuting to Southampton for Rugby but it became too much. I was talking to another friend Geoff who lived locally to me too, and we really thought it would be a great idea to try and replicate the Wyverns in Berkshire. We started the club, the Reading Renegades, and history started from there!
How was the initial set up and training?
Quiet! We started in Kings Meadow in Reading with just us and our first member, Thomas! That continued for a while until the Ian joined and then things just quickly progressed. We started to get the word out there and it picked up the pace!
What was the main aim of the Club?
Really for our health, both physical and mental. We also wanted a space that we could meet up that wasn’t a bar. Our Clubhouse is the Blagrave in Reading, and they have been incredibly supportive, but it’s good to be outside and exercising! Loneliness is a very real problem, so to have a club like the Renegades that was a completely inclusive and supportive space is really encouraging. And the admin side certainly kept me busy, but totally worth it.
What happened next?
We got ratified by the RFU as a Club, then eventually by the IGR, which was a little more complicated. As we grew, we got a main sponsor in the Blagrave, and continued to grow and the play matches. It was great to have a group of people committed to the team, and some of which that would never normally have gotten involved in team sports like Rugby. That is the magic of the Renegades, that everyone is welcome!
On that note, why do you think members of the LGBTQ+ community are not historically involved in team sports?
I think that in the LGBTQ+ community has always had a fear of rejection from an early age. In all aspects of their lives, and there are certain expectations involved in team sports. We even welcome members that don’t want to be involved in contact, as they can play Touch Rugby. My brother, for instance, can’t play contact for health purposes but loves playing touch and is a great player!
For myself growing up, I just got involved in other solo sports, like cycling and rollerskating. It just felt safer. But now I can’t imagine not being a part of Rugby!
That’s amazing! So, What are you looking forward to in the future?
After I left Reading, I set up another club, the Coventry Corsairs. We even just got ratified by the IGR! We will, once Lockdown has finally ended, get back to training, with the aim of getting to “Touch My Brum” tournament. I also just found an American Football club in my hometown of Malaga, Spain that are called the Malaga Corsairs, and we are going to play them in Rugby!
Obviously, in Malaga!
If you are in the Reading area and are interested in getting involved you can find more information on the Reading Renegades on our website (https://www.pitchero.com/clubs/berkshireunicornsrfc) or by searching for us on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.
LGBT+ HISTORY MONTH CONTINUES
As part of the LGBT+ History month we have taken the time to speak to several LGBT+ players and allies from different clubs to find out more about their pathway through rugby and experience of LGBT+ issues in the sport.
Look out for more celebration of these players in the coming days as part of LGBT+ History Month and thanks to all those who have made contributions.
