The Elite Ice Hockey League is delighted to be working with Switchboard as its official charity partner for its 2025 Pride Games.
Switchboard, the national LGBTQIA+ support line, provides support and advice to all who identify as LGBTQIA+ and this year celebrates its 50th birthday. In 2008, they received the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service.
Switchboard’s logo will be on the front and reverse of our special, fan-designed Elite League Pride game officials’ jerseys that will be worn at all pride games this season. The jerseys will later be auctioned with all profits being donated to the charity.
“Switchboard is thrilled to partner with the Elite Ice Hockey League during their Pride celebrations. Opportunities like this are vital to help spread the word about the work that we do to support the LGBTQIA+ communities across the UK,” said Allison Montgomery, Head of Communications and Fundraising.
“Switchboard is the national LGBTQIA+ support line. For 50 years, our volunteers, who all identify as LGBTQIA+, have been available to discuss anything related to sexuality and gender identity; whether it’s sexual health, relationships or just the way someone is feeling. We estimate that Switchboard has provided support and information to more than 4 million people since our service began in 1974.
“Today, our volunteers have around 15-20k conversations every year with members of our community, as well as their friends, families and allies. Switchboard’s support line is completely free, and available wherever people feel most comfortable – whether that’s on the phone, via chat or email. 10am-10pm every single day.”
Click here to read more about Switchboard.
“Pride events in the Elite League were started by our fans the Playoff Finals Weekend in 2018 when they decided to take a stand to make sure that hockey is for everyone,” EIHL Media & Communications Manager Luke Fisher. “For the past five seasons, we’ve been so proud that we’ve been able to organise pride events across our entire league, supported wonderfully by fans, players and staff across the country. We want our game to be a safe space for everyone, and it’s incredible to see just how much pride everyone, especially our fans, take in making sure that continues to happen.
“Many of our teams have great, local partnerships with LGBTQIA+ charities and organisations that have developed over the past five years. There are also a great many that work nationally and we’re thankful to Switchboard for letting us promote their important work on our officials’ jerseys this year.”
