Celebrating Pride at SWFC 🏳️🌈💙
Over the last 12 months, Sheffield Wednesday FC Community Programme (SWFCCP), alongside Sheffield Wednesday Football Club, has worked with Rainbow Owls, an independent and officially recognised LGBTQ+ supporters’ group, across a range of projects, sessions and campaigns supporting the LGBTQ+ community.
In October 2025, Jacob Walkland, Youth Integration Officer at SWFCCP, spoke at Rainbow Owls' Wednesday Pride Fan Conference about the ongoing school-based workshops being delivered in partnership with Rainbow Owls across local schools.
In the build-up to the club’s dedicated EFL Rainbow Ball fixture against Southampton in February, SWFCCP delivered a month-long programme of awareness workshops at Oasis Watermead Academy. The sessions helped to educate young people about inclusive language and the importance of challenging prejudice and discrimination.
As part of this wider engagement, participants from the workshops were invited to attend the Southampton game, where they had the opportunity to meet and engage with Rainbow Owls and see players wearing Football v Homophobia T-shirts on the pitch.
In February, staff from the Community Programme also wore Football v Homophobia T-shirts at Hillsborough to mark FvH's Wear It Black & Pink Day. Later that month, Sheffield Wednesday players warmed up in Football v Homophobia shirts ahead of the club’s dedicated EFL Rainbow Ball fixture against Southampton, demonstrating the club’s ongoing commitment to inclusion within football.
In March, participants from the Community Programme's long-running fitness club donned shirts supporting Football v Transphobia's Week of Action, helping to raise awareness and show solidarity with the trans community.
Chris Ledger, Founder of Rainbow Owls, said:
"Everyone at Rainbow Owls is proud to have continued our relationship with Sheffield Wednesday FC Community Programme throughout last season.
Their consistent and dedicated support, which often went beyond dedicated LGBTQ+ campaigns and matchdays, has played a significant role in amplifying visibility and strengthening allyship at Hillsborough.
Pride Month is not just about celebrating our achievements; it is also about reflecting on the progress that still needs to be made. We are looking forward to working together with Sheffield Wednesday FC Community Programme again next season and ensuring that football remains more inclusive for everyone, no matter our backgrounds and identities."
Sheffield Wednesday FC Community Programme is proud to support the LGBTQ+ community throughout the year and remains committed to creating welcoming, inclusive environments where everyone can participate, regardless of their background or identity.
The Community Programme looks forward to continuing its partnership with Rainbow Owls and delivering even more initiatives, events and opportunities that champion equality, diversity and inclusion across Sheffield and beyond.
For more information about Sheffield Wednesday FC Community Programme, please email
community@swfccp.co.uk.