Sporting Pride, the association tasked with getting the LGBTQ+ community active, is hosting an online webinar in association with Athletics Ireland, entitled “Standing Proud: My Life as an Elite LGBT+ Marathon Runner with Aoife Cooke” at 8 pm on Monday, November 23rd.
The webinar which will be hosted by Anna Nolan, an experienced broadcaster who has played basketball at national level will detail the journey of National Marathon Champion Aoife Cooke and her personal experiences as an LGBT+ athlete.
She will discuss the role sport played for her growing up, the attitudes of her club mates and coaches and the process of coming out publicly.
“We are delighted to facilitate this webinar where Aoife, an elite Irish athlete will discuss her personal experiences of being LGBTQ+ in sport,” said Aidan Walsh, Chair of Sporting Pride.
Insight
“Her stories will give a unique and valuable insight into making sport in Ireland an even more inclusive environment for all.”
“It’s great to be working with Sporting Pride in promoting this event,” added Daragh Browne, Marketing Manager for Athletics Ireland.
“Athletics as a sport is so accessible and it’s great to have ambassadors like Aoife willing to speak openly about her experiences which will hopefully inspire others to get involved in athletics.”
The event is being supported by the Frontrunners Club in Cork. Frontrunners Cork are a member of the Frontrunners International movement and offer members of the LGBT+ community and their friends the perfect opportunity to stay active in a social and supportive setting.
“Frontrunners Cork has opened up my LGBTQ+ social circle to a wider group of people who otherwise I may have not gotten to know,” said Club Chair Evan Murphy Keogh.
“Frontrunners blends a social outlet with keeping healthy and fit. Having Aoife based in Cork and working with the Frontrunners is a great resource and example of what determination and hard work can pay off.”
Registration
Registration for the live ‘Standing Proud’ webinar is free and it is set to get underway at 8 pm sharp on November 23rd. A recording of the webinar will be shared and available on the Athletics Ireland social media channels the following day.
Places for the live webinar are limited and offered on a first come first serve basis. Registration can be found here
Watch out this week for the launch of Sport for Business Sport for Social Good 2020, in partnership with Allianz. We will be announcing details of a special report into the highlights of how sport and partners have contributed across social groups and communities during this year like no other. We will also announce the date and the first speakers at this year’s virtual conference.
