“Sports Help People Focus, Feel a Sense of Belonging and Purpose”: Jason Shand-Rodger on the Importance of LGBTQ+ Inclusive Sports

Interview with Jason Shand-Rodger, People Business Partner at Tecknuovo

Hi Jason! Thanks for chatting with us – can you tell us a bit about yourself?

Hello people, My name is Jason Shand-Rodger and I work for Tecknuovo as their People Business Partner and have been part of the Tecknuovo family since December 2021.

Do you have any favourite sports or LGBTQ+ athletes?

I would have to say Keegan Hurst, Simon Dunn and Gareth Thomas. And sports - Rugby, Track and field.

What are your favorite sports to watch and why?

My favorite is definitely rugby as there is always so much happening on the pitch and it is made up of many different exciting moments and components.

What do you think needs to change in sports to make it more inclusive for LGBTQ+ people?

I think it is mainly the media as they can sometimes focus too much on someone’s gender or sexuality and not their sporting talent. Also, I do feel that in some sports it can be difficult to come out as part of the community, especially if the sport is notoriously known to be either hyper-masculine or too traditional with gender norms.

What tips do you have for how we can all better celebrate LGBTQ+ people in sports?

By recognizing them for their sporting achievements in their chosen field. And be an ally! Use their correct pronouns, embrace their chosen partner, and speak up when others are being narrow-minded.

Would you be more involved with sports if it was more LGBTQ-inclusive?

I would have when I was younger. When I was 15, I wanted to try a sport but did not want to play football because of all the toxic masculinity, so decided to try out rugby. I was embraced by the team from day one and when I came out years later, they were the first people I told, and they even took me out to celebrate. I was part of that team for about nine years in total (technically I still am as I go back from time to time to make guest appearances to play).

Have you had any experiences with an LGBTQ-inclusive sports group?

I currently play rugby for an inclusive rugby team by the name of the London Stags. We are mostly made up of gay, bisexual, and transgender players but we do have a couple of heterosexual players who joined as they are allies of our community.

I think it is fantastic that people of the LGBTQ+ community can sign up and try a sport that they have never played before without fear of being treated any different and without ridicule. A moment for me that sticks out is my first training session with them as I was running with the ball, I heard someone cheer “yass queen”.

We are part of the southern UK IGR (Inclusive Gay Rugby) league and take part in many games and tournaments throughout the year.

How do you think sports and exercise affect mental health?

I believe that sports and exercise have a huge impact on mental health. Sports help people focus and feel a sense of belonging and purpose. The release of endorphins and the rush of the game can make people feel great and for the time they are playing or the time they are training the worries of the outside world can go away as you have to focus on what you are doing at that moment in time.

What role do you think the workplace plays in encouraging employees to partake in sports and exercise?

We have a company benefits scheme set up with Vitality whereby employees are rewarded for exercising and keeping fit as well as eating healthy. The more they work out or walk the more they get in return. We are planning a company sports day this summer where we will put down our pens and forget company structure and make mixed teams to compete in a series of fun challenges. Some of our employees play football and when the sign-up sheet went up EVERYONE was asked if they wanted to sign up regardless of who they are. Even just being asked to put a smile on some people’s faces.