AN INCLUSIVE rugby club has been nominated for a St George’s Day Award.

Wessex Wyverns Rugby Club was the first openly Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual and Transgender (LGBT) inclusive club in Hampshire that welcomes anyone who wants to play rugby.

Now the Southampton-based club hasve been nominated for a Southampton St George’s Day Festival and Daily Echo Community Awards in the category of Putting the Southampton City Region on the Map.

The Daily Echo has launched the Southampton St George’s Day Festival and Daily Echo Community Awards, which celebrate the people who improve the Southampton Ccity region.

Club chairman, Nick Vaux said: “I am shocked to be honest. I am overjoyed that we have been nominated and it is good that we are getting recognition for what we are doing within the community.

“I think clubs like this are important for clubs and members - to belong to a team and feel welcome as a team member.

“I think sometimes there is a little bit of fear with people getting involved in sport because of how they have been treated before.

“I would say to them come along, chat with us about it and even if you don’t want to participate you can come and support the team and be part of the family.”

The club formed in 2014 and practice twice a week at Millbrook RFC, which was founded in 2014.

They compete against other LGBT inclusive teams throughout the country with their next match in Bristol later this month.

For more information on Wessex Wyverns RFC go to wyvernsrfc.uk.

The winners of the St George’s Day Awards will be announced at the St George’s Day Festival on the day itself, Saturday, April 23.

The festival is taking place at The 1865 in Brunswick Square, Southampton.

For more details and to register for free ticket go to: http://bit.ly/1ScFaVT.