A PE teacher and rugby player from St Albans is on a mission to challenge homophobia within the sport he loves, raising over £2,000 for charity during a pride event last weekend.

Matt Borrell, who is gay and plays for Verulamians Rugby Football Club, organised the match at his home ground to raise awareness of homophobia in sport - something the 20-year-old has sadly experienced first-hand.

Matt Borrell, who is gay and plays for Verulamiums Rugby Football Club teaches at The Grove Infant School.Matt Borrell, who is gay and plays for Verulamians Rugby Football Club, teaches at The Grove Infant School. (Image: Herts Rugby) The Grove Infant School teacher said: "When I'm playing I hear a lot of homophobic language. There was a game two years ago where a player refused to shake my hand because he saw that I had painted nails and was wearing rainbow laces.

"I've been called a homophobic slur on the pitch, I felt that was the last straw."

On Saturday, October 5, members of Herts Pride and over 300 rugby fans young and old watched two matches at the Verulamians clubhouse in London Colney, which was decked out in rainbow flags in aid of LGBTQ+ charity Stonewall.

Matt was pleased that the game was played in good spirit.Matt was pleased that the game was played in good spirit. (Image: Herts Rugby) (Image: Herts Rugby)Stonewall set up a stall at the event to talk about pride.Stonewall set up a stall at the event to talk about pride. (Image: Herts Rugby) "It went really well" Matt said, "We had so many people turn up across the day it was just perfect."

"I was very proud and emotional when we'd finished - I cried walking off the pitch."

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As well as the men's and women's matches between Verulamians RFC and a Hertfordshire-wide 'Barbarians' side, the day featured music, food and children's entertainment.

The clubhouse was packed with rugby fans.The clubhouse was packed with rugby fans. (Image: Herts Rugby) Matt said he felt "really proud" to be involved in the event and was pleased to have rugby players and fans share their stories with him.

He added: “People spoke to me and said seeing me do this, and seeing the club support the event makes them feel more comfortable, allowing them to not worry about what's going off the pitch, and just play rugby."

During the day, attendees decorated the London Colney clubhouse and players signed a specially-made Herts Pride jersey. Each team also received an end-of-game talk from Matt about inclusivity in the game.

A picture from the woman's rugby match.A picture from the woman's rugby match. (Image: Herts Rugby) There were games for all the family.There were games for all the family. (Image: Herts Rugby)A bbq offered food all day raising over £800.A bbq offered food all day raising over £800. (Image: Herts Rugby) "I wanted them to know how much it means to me, my message was this - It is a good start but we’re not gonna stop here," Matt said.

"Hopefully we can make it an annual event, until the message is heard not just in Herts but across the wider rugby community."

You can still donate to Stonewall by visiting justgiving.com/page/verulaminasrfc-pride-event.