This weekend, athletes from throughout the country are converging on Richmond to compete in the inaugural Compete Sports Diversity Jubilee taking place in Richmond May 17-19 and organized by Compete, a publication focused on LGBTQ+ sports.
“We are thrilled to welcome athletes from across the country to Richmond for the inaugural Compete Sports Diversity Jubilee. We look forward to building a strong foundation as we create a long-term partnership with Richmond and grow the Jubilee,” said tournament director, Jared Garduno, SDLT. “Each event is separate, brought to you exclusively by its organizer and not by Compete. This enables each event to have an intimate feel to it while still offering athletes and fans a chance to catch up with old friends from across the country and to meet new ones,” Garduno added.
Richmond is emerging not only as a more inclusive and welcoming city, but as a LGBTQ sports tourism destination that was honored with the Petey Award last November by Compete Magazine’s Sports Diversity Leadership Council, a coalition of about 80 sports leaders representing more than 110,000 members. At the time, Mayor Levar Stoney said that “we’re proud to be recognized by the Petey Awards and will continue our work to make Richmond more inclusive and welcoming,” Mayor Stoney said in a news release. “We’re looking forward to introducing the city to some of the world’s best LGBTQ+ athletes this May.”
Richmond Region Tourism, the nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting the region to meeting, convention and sports event planners, tour operators and leisure travelers, was a founding member of the Sports Diversity Leadership Council when it launched in 2018.
“We are very excited to partner with Richmond because of its longtime support of both sports and diversity,” said Eric Carlyle, CEO of Compete magazine said in the November 2018 announcement. “Richmond was one of the first destinations to be named a Certified Partner by the Sports Diversity Leadership Council,” Caryle continued.
If you are headed to Richmond this weekend to participate or be a spectator, here is a schedule of activities. As per Compete, this schedule is subject to change.
May 17
Registration Event at Capital Ale House
Brought to you by Richmond Region Tourism
5:30-8:30 p.m.
Q & A with Angela Smith, SDL; ASANA Commissioner
Brought to you by Virginia Tourism Corporation in Partnership with Amateur Sports Alliance of North America (ASANA)
5:30-6:30 p.m. at the Registration Event
May 18
Softball & Soccer Field Inspections
Brought to you by International Gay & Lesbian Football Association (IGFLA)
Dorey Park
Powerlifting Open House
Richmond Balance
1806 E. Main St.
1-2 p.m.
Elite Dodgeball, Day 1
Brought to you by USA Dodgeball
Cary Street Gym at VCU
Richmond Jubilee 2020 Planning Session
Cary Street Gym at VCU
Sports Diversity Jubilee After Party
Brought to you by Richmond LGBTQ Chamber and benefiting OutRVAKabana Rooftop
700 E Main St., 20th Floor
Starts at 9 p.m.
May 19
Elite Dodgeball, Day 2
Brought to you by USA Dodgeball
Cary Street Gym at VCU
Sponsors and supporters of the event include:
USA Dodgeball, ASANA, IGLFA, Richmond Balance, Richmond Region Tourism, OutRVA, Richmond LGBT Chamber, Virginia Tourism Corporation, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Jack Daniels, Kabana, Capital Ale House, Rich’s Stitches Embroidery, DL Trophies.
