Kent Cricket have announced that it has designated its Vitality Blast home opener on Friday 7th June at The Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence as its annual Pride Match, as part of a weekend of Pride celebrations around the city of Canterbury.

This Summer Kent want everyone from the LGBTQ+ communities across the county to feel welcome at their second annual Pride Match which will be against Somerset on a Friday night under lights.

Canterbury has the highest percentage of people who identify as LGBTQ+ in the county of Kent and the annual Pride Canterbury event is one of the biggest in the county, with over 30,000 visitors every year.

Following the successful Pride Match at The Spitfire Ground last year, Kent anticipate their T20 home opener against Somerset, held during Pride Month, to be another opportunity to welcome all cricket followers, regardless of their gender identity or sexual orientation.

At Kent Cricket, they are steadfast in their commitment to make the game of cricket accessible to all, and during Pride Month, they are actively celebrating the LGBTQ+ community so they feel valued and welcome.

Kent will once again be supporting The BeYou Project – as part of the Club’s Official Charity Partner, Porchlight. The BeYou Project works to develop a culture of understanding where everyone is free to be who they are, so that LGBTQ+ young people across Kent feel included, have positive mental health and a bright future.

In 2024, the Club continues its proud association with Out4Cricket, who recently helped them host two cricket taster sessions for members of the LGBTQ+ community at both The County Ground, Beckenham and The Spitfire Ground.

At this year’s Pride match, you will once again see players wearing Pride armbands, with rainbow-themed stumps and dedicated Pride FanKlappers will be handed out to spectators, too.

Kent Cricket’s EDI Advisor, Susan Rooney, said: “The game of cricket is for everyone. We celebrate the focus on LGBTQ+ inclusion during the month of June by designating our T20 Match on 7 June as our Pride Match.

“In doing so, we commit to creating a safe and inclusive environment so that everyone feels welcome at Kent Cricket – regardless of who you are, where you come from, or who you love. 

“Last year’s Pride Match was a great success and all of us at Kent Cricket are excited to continue our work to make the LGBTQ+ community feel welcome at this, and every match, that we host.”

Tickets for Kent Spitfires vs. Somerset are on sale now. Make it an even better evening by getting together with friends – discounts are available for groups of six or more, and for supporters aged 17 and under.

Picture supplied by Ian Scammell.