In hopes of making rugby a more inclusive sport, a group of Irish athletes have gotten together to form Northern Ireland's only predominantly gay rugby team.

In the spirit of true inclusivity, the Belfast-based Azlans rugby club is open to all: young and old, gay and straight, total beginners and trained experts alike.

Kevin Bartlett, the man behind the team, explained to the Belfast Telegraph that "The Azlans are...about welcoming everyone and making everyone feel welcome."

Bartlett was a member of Northern Ireland's first gay-friendly rugby team, the Ulster Titans, before its disbandment, and says he decided to found the Azlans as a space that would capture the Titans' open spirit.

"It came about because a lot of people were saying to me that they would like to play rugby but they didn't know where to go," he says.

"We are there for people who maybe have never played rugby before, for whatever reason, or maybe they would like to get back into the sport. You can come along and learn and train. Everyone is accepted—it doesn't matter who they are."

Bartlett's teammate Stephen Aiken, who has been involved with the team since its inception, finds that the Azlans club offers a safe space for him to be exactly who he is.

"When we are out on the pitch, you realize how well everyone gets on—what happens on the pitch doesn't affect what happens when you come off it. It's great because you don't have to put on a front, you can be yourself in front of everyone and be comfortable."

To find out more about the team, check out their Facebook page!