NAKED TEAM: Hockey team strip naked in support of homosexuality

WHEN a group of hunky hockey players were asked to strip naked, they didn't have to be asked twice.

The lads happily bared all to film a one-off naked hockey match as part of a campaign against homophobia.

Unsurprisingly, with no shortage of bare skin in sight, the video has proved an online sensation.

More than 20 players from Nottingham University's hockey club took part in the shoot to help combat homophobia in sport.

Just 24 hours after being posted on YouTube, the film had already attracted more than 80,000 views.

Piers Denning, president of the hockey club, said: 'When we were approached to make the film we were more than happy to do it and didn't think twice about saying yes.

'On the day of filming it's fair to say we were a little bit apprehensive at first, but as soon as we stripped off it was fine. We had so much fun.

'It was an absolutely freezing day so there was some hesitation to actually get naked but it just made it even more of a laugh.

'Everyone was in stitches all the way through filming.

'Personally I've never done anything like this before but seeing the reaction to the video definitely makes me glad I agreed to strip off!'

For the boys, highlighting the issue of homophobia in sport was a good enough reason to don their birthday suits.

Piers, 22, a fourth year chemical engineering student, said: 'Homophobia is something that's been an issue in sport for a long time, and something all of us were aware of.

'For us sport is such a huge part of our university life and it should be available to everyone, without people feeling they have to hide who they are.'

The video was the brainchild of the people behind Voice Your Rights, a university campaign covering a range of human rights issues.

Project leader Dimitri Vichas, 25, a third year medical student, said: 'We came up with the idea for the naked hockey match as we knew it would be popular.

'When we asked the club if they'd be up for it, they didn't hesitate at all.

'As soon as they arrived on the day of the filming they were asking 'When do we get to take our clothes off?'. They couldn't wait!

'It was great to see them throwing themselves into it and the whole day was a lot of fun.

'Obviously there was a serious side to it too, and hopefully it has helped us to highlight that homophobia is still an issue in sport.'

The University of Nottingham has declared a zero tolerance to homophobia in sport.

Dimitri's aim is to ensure other universities follow suit.

He said: 'We hope this video will help spread the message - we've certainly had a great reaction so far. Eventually I'd like to see all universities in the country declare a zero tolerance to homophobia in sport.'