Hove girl designs Rainbow Laces flag used at the Amex
A young pupil from Blatchington Mill School in Hove has seen her Rainbow Laces flag design become a reality after it was flown during the club’s Premier League fixture against Southampton last Friday (29 November).
The Brighton & Hove Albion Foundation had asked pupils across Sussex to send in their best designs for a flag to promote the Rainbow Laces campaign.
Children were asked to submit their most colourful, inclusive, and supportive flag designs to show support to the LGBTQ+ community.
BHAFC Foundation tutors have been spreading the Rainbow Laces message in local schools in recent weeks, holding workshops in local primary schools and teaching younger pupils about inclusion and the importance of allyship.
As part of those workshops, pupils were able to design their own flags with the best one to be made into a huge crowdsurfer flag for display at the Amex.
The winning design was from Lyra at Blatchington Mill school in Hove. It shows a player striking a football that leaves a rainbow in its trail, featuring some of the well-known places in the city, such as the West Pier, the Royal Pavillion and the i360.
“I added in some of the figures of Brighton and landmarks, to show that Brighton is everyone’s home and football is everyone’s game,” says Lyra, “It isn’t fair to leave anyone out because of who they are.
“It hasn’t really landed with me yet, it’s amazing to me that I won when so many people were competing for it.”
Lyra’s flag was first displayed during Albion’s Women’s Super League match against West Ham, taking pride of place in top tier of the East Stand.
Sarah Byrne, who promotes equality, diversity, and inclusion at the Foundation, was delighted to see so many local schools get involved with the competition.
“After the brilliant Rainbow Laces jersey that young Livs designed for us last season, we wanted something that was going to be just as special this time around, and Lyra’s flag is just that.
“We saw so many amazing designs with positive messages, so it’s heartening to know there are so many young people in Sussex who are passionate about supporting the LGBTQ+ community.
“Well done to Lyra for her brilliant design, I can’t wait to see it at the Amex!”
Foundation tutor Hayley Templeman led the workshops across Sussex, seeing firsthand how the students embraced the campaign.
“The kids have been amazing; it’s been really empowering to see the young people create the messages that they have. To challenge and educate people in the community to raise their awareness that football is an inclusive sport is always important.
“If the kids can inspire others, it can go a long way in making everyone feel welcome in the game.”
Lyra’s teacher, Marcus Bennison, couldn’t be happier with his students’ work and their passion for equality and inclusion.
“We as a school are really proud of Lyra winning the competition and I know that her parents are very proud of her as well.
“We were pleased to be offered the opportunity to be involved with the competition and it coincided well with our week of action that we run annually.
“To have programmes that are run by the Foundation to help us deliver that work is really useful and beneficial for us.”
The flag wasn’t the only design to catch the eye during the game; another illustration by Flora from Hove Park School was also on display.
The colourful graphic features the message ‘Inclusion Has No Off-season’, printed on a t-shirt worn by club staff, drummers and flag bearers around the ground. The top was also given out to 200 lucky fans ahead of the WSL match against West Ham.
The Rainbow Laces campaign was launched by Stonewall in 2013, and is supported by the Premier League, to show support for LGBTQ+ inclusion in football.
Find out more about how we support equality, diversity, and inclusion.