AFC Bournemouth
Proud Cherries, the club's LGBT supporters group, have been nominated for a National Diversity Award in the Community Organisation for LGBT category.
The UK’s most prestigious diversity event celebrates the excellent achievements of grass-root communities that tackle the issues in today’s society, providing them with recognition for their dedication and hard work.
Founded in 2012, the concept of the National Diversity Awards arose when founder, Paul Sesay, and his dedicated team identified an urgent need for more positive role models to be actively promoted.
The awards recognise over 1,000 shortlisted nominees, with 148 diversity champions and community groups taking away the accolade. As a result, groups will receive vital increased funding, fundamental collaborations and wider recognition for crucial services.
Proud Cherries has a following of around 500 people, with the organisation often holding events online and in person to educate others on tackling discrimination around homophobia, biphobia and transphobia in football.
Sky Sports presenter, Mark McAdam, and transgender photographer, Sophie Cook, are both patrons and have been heavily involved in panel events, which aim to raise awareness of prejudice in the sport.
The group have been heavily involved in the club’s Everyone Together campaign, as well as the launch of the pride clothing range in the Superstore, with plenty of representatives also due to come to Vitality Stadium for the penultimate home game with Nottingham Forest.
Following the nomination, which recognises the good work that Proud Cherries do in the local community, Louise Clarke, founder of the group, spoke with afcb.co.uk about her delight.
“I’m just so proud. I’m really proud of the members, the club and the great work that we do together,” she began.
“Just to be nominated is amazing. I’m so thrilled that even one person has bothered to nominate us and feel like we’re worthy of the award. It says a lot for our work as a whole.
“I didn’t actually see the nomination on the night that it was announced as I hadn’t looked at my Twitter notifications. When I did see it, I just put a tweet out and I couldn’t believe how many people sent me a message or shared the post saying that they’d voted. It was just a one-off tweet, but I was really bowled over with the support and I didn’t get anything negative back.
“To have so many members, given the size of the club, is quite remarkable. We’re lucky that we can reach out into the community, generate some new fans and that we have the backing of AFC Bournemouth. We hold events at the stadium, have a dedicated matchday and I never feel like I have to push or chase anything that I’ve suggested.
“The fact that this nomination has come off the back of Covid, when the in person events had died down a bit, almost makes it mean a bit more. We did go to a lot of effort in messaging members and keeping in touch, so it’s nice that’s been recognised.”
To vote for Proud Cherries to win, simply click here and have your say by Friday 20th May.
