COMMITTEE

CHRIS LEDGER (HE/HIM) - FOUNDER AND CHAIR

First league game: Owls 2 - Barnsley 2, August 2009

All-time favourite players: Pavel Srníček, Marcus Tudgay, Chris Brunt and Kevin Pressman

Interests outside of football: Lego, art history, running and Formula 1

Why is Rainbow Owls important? My footballing journey started at the age of 12, via FIFA '98 and a matchday programme donated from a friend, but it took me a decade to find the confidence to attend live games, while I took a nine-year break from football until 2023, partially due to finding hard to accept being gay.

LGBTQ+ supporters' groups are so important in providing people a voice and fan identity that they previously might not have had, as well as helping them make new friends and empowering them to feel more connected with their club. That strives me to help take Rainbow Owls to the next level.

How does Chris help Rainbow Owls? As a copy-editor and ex-journalist, I manage our group's online communications, including social media and newsletters, as well as our overall group strategy.

I also keep in touch with key stakeholders at the club and elsewhere, which helps to ensure that Rainbow Owls proactively takes advantage of any new opportunities that come our way.

HANNAH WRAITH (THEY/THEM) - ADMIN OFFICER

First league game: In 1992 - my dad took me when I was 18 months old. I unfortunately don’t remember much about it, including who we played!

All-time favourite player: Barry Bannan. Not only has he contributed so much to the club in his nine years here, but he’s been such a champion for community groups, including Rainbow Owls.

And, as our club captain, he has gotten the team involved in wearing LGBTQIA+ warm-up shirts and having pitchside photos taken with the Rainbow Owls banner.

Interests outside of football: Reading, knitting and cooking

Why is Rainbow Owls important?

Football is about so much more than the game, how many goals we score or where we are in the table: it’s about community and bringing people together.

Rainbow Owls strives to create a safe, welcoming and inclusive environment for all, because everyone deserves the enjoyment of watching their team play.

How does Hannah help Rainbow Owls? I have a genuine love of the club and am committed to make sport more inclusive for everybody.

As a friendly and welcoming person, I use my skills and enthusiasm to help the committee function as it should, which includes taking minutes and organising regular meetings for all committee members to discuss their ideas for forthcoming campaigns.

SAM ELLIOTT-OLECHNOWICZ (HE/HIM) - CAMPAIGNS OFFICER

First league game: Manchester United 5 - Owls 0, March 1994

All-time favourite players: Kevin Pressman, Niclas Alexandersson and Mark Pembridge

Interests outside of football: pets, model railways, Lego and songwriting

Why is Rainbow Owls important? My journey as a Sheffield Wednesday supporter, also from the age of 12, has taught me the importance of standing up for what is right and supporting those in need, which are values that align closely with Rainbow Owls' core mission.

Our group's passion for advocacy and community helps to unite people from all walks of life, as well as create a more inclusive and accepting world for everybody.

How does Sam help Rainbow Owls? My experience as a London Titans FC goalkeeper, and a senior charge nurse and educator for international recruitment in the NHS, has given me a nuanced understanding of the challenges that we face, as well as the opportunities for positive change.

I help to strategise our annual and ad-hoc awareness campaigns, which has involved writing an article about allyship on the club's website for Football v Transphobia and being interviewed on Sky Sports News for Rainbow Laces.

BEN BARLOW-COOK (HE/HIM) - FAN ENGAGEMENT OFFICER

First league game: Owls 3 - Fulham 3, October 2000. A month earlier, I saw us beat Oldham Athletic 5-1 in the Worthington Cup - two six-goal thrillers in a row!

All-time favourite players: Gary Hooper and Fernando Forestieri

Interests outside of football: indie music, cooking, hiking and Star Wars

Why is Rainbow Owls important? Rainbow Owls helps to create such an amazing space for everybody to feel at ease, both online and offline, and what the group does for Sheffield's wider LGBTQ+ community is fantastic.

Joining an LGBTQ+ supporters' group can be a daunting thing, but I have met lifelong friends through Rainbow Owls, with whom I can be myself around and completely unapologetic about my true self.

Seeing our group go from strength to strength, with new LGBTQ+ awareness campaigns each season, brings me so much joy!

How does Ben help Rainbow Owls? I've been a season ticket holder since 2003, and I attend most of our away games, to the extent that Home Park of Plymouth Argyle is the only Championship stadium I've not yet visited!

My vast knowledge of the game and our beloved club means that I provide lots of advice to new members, such as the most inclusive places in the stadium to sit, and help them feel welcome when they join Rainbow Owls.