In the fourth installment of our PLUSS project series, we highlight Queer Sport Split, an LGBTQIA+ sports initiative in Croatia that is redefining the sporting landscape by fostering inclusion, solidarity, and empowerment for all.
A Brief History: The Birth of Queer Sport Split
Queer Sport Split (QSS) began in 2005 when a volleyball team from Croatia participated in the EuroGames in Utrecht. This momentous event was initiated by Željko Bla?e, with many team members hailing from Split. The experience of being openly gay in a multisport tournament was transformative for the team, as they were positively surprised by the number of LGBTQIA+ athletes competing.
Following this experience, the team began training in volleyball and swimming in both Split and Zagreb. As interest grew, other activities such as badminton and hiking were introduced. By 2011, QSS was officially registered as an association, and the following year it hosted the general assembly of the European Gay & Lesbian Sports Federation (EGLSF) and co-organized the Contesting/Contexting SPORT conference.
Mission and Impact: Creating Safe Spaces for All
Today, Queer Sport Split continues its mission to offer an inclusive, welcoming environment for LGBTQIA+ individuals through sports, psychosocial support, and cultural activities. The initiative primarily operates in two locations: Split and Zagreb. In Split, the focus is on providing psychosocial support, aiding victims of violence and discrimination, and offering personal development and peer support programs for the LGBTQIA+ community. Meanwhile, in Zagreb, the initiative brings the community together through a variety of sports activities such as volleyball, swimming, badminton, and hiking, as well as cultural and social events like board games, book clubs, and panels on inclusive sports.
The goal of Queer Sport Split is to build a strong LGBTQIA+ community, and through safe sporting spaces, foster connections, educate, and raise visibility for underrepresented groups within the community.
Building an Inclusive Community: The Power of Sport and Culture
One of Queer Sport Split's greatest strengths is its ability to merge sport with culture. While sporting activities like volleyball and swimming provide opportunities for physical engagement, cultural activities such as workshops, hikes, and social gatherings help cultivate an even deeper sense of belonging. These events serve as a space for members of the LGBTQIA+ community to gather, share experiences, and build solidarity.
Furthermore, Queer Sport Split has been working tirelessly on improving communication and outreach to diverse segments of the LGBTQIA+ community. This includes creating safer spaces for transgender, intersex, and non-binary individuals by implementing inclusive policies, offering gender-neutral facilities, and ensuring that everyone feels welcome regardless of their identity.
Reaching Out: Improving Visibility and Participation
Despite being predominantly composed of cis gay men, Queer Sport Split is committed to broadening its reach and ensuring that all LGBTQIA+ groups feel included. The association actively works to include women, youth, seniors, and transgender, intersex, and non-binary individuals in their sporting and social activities.
This commitment to diversity is reflected in the club’s efforts to use inclusive language on social media and to ensure that different communication channels are available to different groups. The club’s goal is not just to increase participation but to create a space where LGBTQIA+ people can feel heard and supported in their sporting endeavors.
Collaborations and Advocacy: Building a Network for Change
Through various initiatives, Queer Sport Split has been working to connect with other LGBTQIA+ organizations and clubs across Europe. A significant milestone in this effort was the Inclusive and Safe Sport Camps in CEE project, funded by Erasmus+. This collaborative project brought together organizations from Slovakia, Slovenia, Romania, and Poland to organize a four-day sports camp focused on creating safe spaces for LGBTQIA+ individuals, particularly transgender, intersex, and non-binary people.
The project highlighted the importance of providing inclusive spaces and offered valuable lessons in how to organize events that cater to the needs of marginalized groups. These collaborations have strengthened Queer Sport Split's advocacy for LGBTQIA+ rights in sports, helping to amplify the voices of underrepresented groups and encourage a broader shift towards inclusion in sport.
SWOT Analysis and Strategic Planning: A Roadmap for the Future
As part of their strategic planning under the PLUSS Erasmus+ project, Queer Sport Split conducted a SWOT analysis to identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. Some of the weaknesses included communication issues, a lack of resources to invest in outreach, and an unclear distribution of roles within the organization.
In response, the club has set two key objectives for growth:
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Sustainability – By improving internal structures, developing a new statute, code of conduct, and communication plan, Queer Sport Split aims to build a more sustainable organization.
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Improving the Quality of Life for the LGBTQIA+ Community – The organization aims to create safer and more inclusive spaces for sport, improve mental health support, and ensure that LGBTQIA+ individuals see Queer Sport Split as a welcoming space for socialization, culture, and connection.
The SWOT analysis also highlighted a need to increase LGBTQIA+ diversity within the membership. The club is actively addressing this by making intentional efforts to be more inclusive and reach underrepresented groups, especially transgender, non-binary, and intersex individuals.
Looking Ahead: Strengthening Connections and Expanding Reach
Queer Sport Split is committed to expanding its reach and fostering greater inclusion in the years to come. The association plans to increase its visibility and develop more partnerships with organizations across Croatia and beyond. Additionally, Queer Sport Split intends to expand its participation in Erasmus+ programs and international collaborations to share knowledge and best practices with other LGBTQIA+ sports clubs.
As part of this vision, the QueerSport Weekend event is returning in April 2025 after a five-year break. Queer Sport Split hopes to make this event more international and inclusive, attracting participants from across Europe. For more information, follow @qsportzagreb on Instagram and @qsport.info on Facebook.
Conclusion: The Importance of Safe and Inclusive Sports Spaces
Creating safe, inclusive, and welcoming sports environments for LGBTQIA+ individuals is essential for the well-being and empowerment of the community. Queer Sport Split is a shining example of how sports and cultural activities can become a powerful tool for social change.
We encourage all LGBTQIA+ individuals, allies, and supporters to get involved by participating in activities, attending events, and learning more about the work being done by Queer Sport Split. Together, we can make sports and cultural activities more inclusive and accessible for everyone.
Get Involved with Queer Sport Split!
Join us at the QueerSport Weekend in April 2025 or follow us on social media to stay up to date on events and initiatives. Let’s continue to build a supportive and empowering sports community for all!
Keep up to date through our social media, newsletter and the PLUSS dedicated section in the
EGLSF webpage! +PLUSS PROJECT - EGLSF.info
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