Keighley Cougars co-owner: ‘Brave Josh Cavallo shows why football still fails gay players’ (EXCLUSIVE)

While sitting at home watching Heated Rivalry, like many other gay people from our community are doing at the moment, I found myself relating to the traumatic experiences so many of us have had in changing rooms – not feeling part of the world of sport, and not feeling safe being ourselves. Reading Josh Cavallo’s reasons for leaving Adelaide United, and the struggles he went through, saddened me to realise that, in this day and age, we are still facing the same abuse in changing rooms – wherever that might be.

I first met Josh and his partner, Leighton, at the Attitude Awards, where we spoke about their move from Australia to the UK. Josh and his partner revealed to me that they needed a change.

Unbeknown to me at the time, there were much deeper reasons behind Josh’s exit. I asked whether the changing room culture in football was friendly and positive, mentioning the steps we had taken at our own club to create a more welcoming and supportive environment for everyone who comes to play for us at Keighley Cougars. Josh said that while things were better than they used to be, the whole set-up still needed to change and improve.

Sport has never been a place where gay and bisexual athletes feel comfortable enough to come out to their teammates

According to the FA’s official figures, in 2021 there were 130,000 men playing professional football across the world, but only one of them was gay at the time.

Statistically speaking, that simply is not possible – and it confirms what so many of us already know: sport has never been a place where gay and bisexual athletes feel comfortable enough to come out to their teammates.

Ever since buying Keighley Cougars, and more recently Eccleshill FC, Ryan and I wanted to create positive change in this area. We wanted to show that our clubs would be places that welcome everyone, regardless of sexuality, religion or political views. From the beginning of each season, we sat down with players and coaching staff to explain the daily struggles our community faces – and why we had to do better.

Did we succeed? We like to think so. Everyone who comes to our ground speaks about the positive atmosphere and how embracing and respectful it feels.

Did we lose fans, sponsors and players who were not keen on our vision? Yes. In our first season, while preparing our first Pride game where players were due to wear a special rainbow kit, two players refused to wear it, saying it went against their personal beliefs. At the end of the day, it was their loss – plain and simple.

Josh’s fight is, in many ways, everyone’s LGBTQ+ fight

We respect personal beliefs, but from that point onwards it became clear that, before signing any player, we needed to be certain they would truly buy into the culture we were building. Thankfully, that was the only negative experience we have faced over the past seven years.

Over time, we became bolder – and, as some fans would say, “louder”. We believe that is much needed, especially in the polarised world we live in today. Since 2024, the fight for trans rights has also become one of our core values.

Appointing India Willoughby as our patron – the first time a trans person has ever held such a position – has been a powerful step. It brings visibility to trans people in sport and, we hope, helps change minds by reminding people that we are simply human beings wanting to live as our true selves.

As much as we see progress in our own backyard, it still feels like a lonely journey. Among the 36 rugby league clubs in England, Keighley Cougars remains the only professional sports club in the country to host a yearly dedicated match for the LGBTQ+ community.

Josh’s fight is, in many ways, everyone’s LGBTQ+ fight. Sport is part of the national curriculum in every country, which means his struggle is reflected in the PE lessons that so many of us suffered through growing up.

Seeing yourself reflected in the journey of a brave, proud athlete like Josh has the power to change lives

Josh continues to play the game he loves and is building a career within it – despite the barriers that still exist. Many of us, however, turned our backs on sport altogether after feeling so unwelcome. That is why visibility and representation matter so much.

Seeing yourself reflected in the journey of a brave, proud athlete like Josh has the power to change lives. It can give courage to someone going through the same struggles in silence.

Watching a show like Heated Rivalry – even as a fictional story – brings these experiences into the spotlight. It shows the realities faced by gay athletes both inside and outside the changing room, and gives visibility to so many people living similar stories.

Representation means belonging. It means being seen. And most importantly, it shows that we are no different to anyone else – we simply want to live as ourselves.

At Keighley Cougars, we believe representation matters. We believe it can save lives. And we live by that every single day.

---

Kaue Garcia is a Brazilian-born sports entrepreneur and co-owner of Keighley Cougars and Eccleshill FC, which he runs alongside his husband, Ryan O’Neill. Based in the UK, he is recognised for progressive leadership, LGBTQ+ inclusion and community-led initiatives promoting equality, visibility and social change in sport.

Subscribe to Attitude magazine in print, download the Attitude app, and follow Attitude on Apple News+. Plus, find Attitude on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, X and YouTube.