Grin and bare it... all! Naked athletes protect their modesty with clever poses and well-placed accessories as strip off for charity calendar that promotes 'healthier masculinity'

  • Sportsmen from around the world have bared it all for naked calendar Worldwide Roar 2021 
  • Athletes can be seen posing and practising sports together, including horse riding and mountain biking
  • Charity hopes to challenge the way we look at 'manliness' and encourage 'healthier masculinity' in sports

A group of athletes have stripped off in a series of very daring images for a charity calendar that promotes 'healthier masculinity' in sports. 

Sportsmen from around the world have bared it all for Worldwide Roar 2021, a calendar that invites men to make a 'simple yet meaningful commitment to change by playing sport together naked in front of the world'.

The participants are seen posing on the tennis court, mountain biking and horse riding, with careful poses and cleverly-placed accessories protecting their modesty.  

Athletes are stripping off to challenge toxic masculinity in this year's 12th edition of the Worldwide Roar charity nude calendar

Athletes are stripping off to challenge toxic masculinity in this year's 12th edition of the Worldwide Roar charity nude calendar

The participants showcases the athletes in the buff taking on several activities, such as horse riding (pictured)

The participants showcases the athletes in the buff taking on several activities, such as horse riding (pictured)

While the calendar shows men letting it all hang out together in the nude, it also includes solo pictures, like this one of a model taking a break from cycling

While the calendar shows men letting it all hang out together in the nude, it also includes solo pictures, like this one of a model taking a break from cycling 

Worldwide Roar want to challenge our preconceived idea of masculinity as well as promoting allyship amongst men

Worldwide Roar want to challenge our preconceived idea of masculinity as well as promoting allyship amongst men One of the athletes practices his serve while wearing sneakers, socks, a hat and nothing else in the calendar

One of the athletes practices his serve while wearing sneakers, socks, a hat and nothing else in the calendar 

Riding solo! The calendar hopes to challenge the misogynistic idea of 'strong men' and tackle homophobia, sexism and racism as well

Riding solo! The calendar hopes to challenge the misogynistic idea of 'strong men' and tackle homophobia, sexism and racism as well 

Hot in oar! An athletes hides his modesty with an oar in the 2020 calendar by Worldwide Roar

Hot in oar! An athletes hides his modesty with an oar in the 2020 calendar by Worldwide Roar

Sales of the calendar raise funds for Sport Allies, a charity that empowers young people to get the most out of sport and life, regardless of their sexuality, gender identity, race or physical ability. 

Angus Malcom, founder and creative lead behind the calendar, said he wanted the calendar to raise the question: 'how do we look at men?' 

Angus talked about what motivated him to make the calendar in more detail. 

'We’re all still living with the rules and repercussions of male privilege – what academics call hegemonic masculinity,' he said. 

'If you’re born straight, white, male and socially privileged, you still have a massive head start in life. Any other group that tries to get a seat at the table is accused of misguided 'identity politics', which makes no sense.

The calendar aims to send a message of unity and support among men by featuring the athletes doing several activities with others, like cycling

The calendar aims to send a message of unity and support among men by featuring the athletes doing several activities with others, like cycling 

Showing their cheeky side. In previous years, the calendar has focusing on tackling homophobia within the world of sports

Showing their cheeky side. In previous years, the calendar has focusing on tackling homophobia within the world of sports

He went on to say that 'so-called strong men still divide and rule through misogyny and structural racism, as well as homophobia.

'But there’s hope. Look at how collaboration led to a vaccine for Covid-19. We can bring that same spirit of allyship to tackling the global pandemic of toxic masculinity.'

He wanted the calendar to convey a message of support between men.  

In previous years, the calendar has focused on challenging homophobia in sporting culture by inviting mainly heterosexual sportsmen to strip off as a gesture of solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community.

Relaxing in the nude. The calendar is opened to anyone who identifies as males, regardless of the sex they were born with, their ethnicity of sexual preferences

Relaxing in the nude. The calendar is opened to anyone who identifies as males, regardless of the sex they were born with, their ethnicity of sexual preferences 

Playing boules. Some of the pictures put the men in specific scenario, like this naked game of boules

Playing boules. Some of the pictures put the men in specific scenario, like this naked game of boules 

World-record holding rower and Olympian Robbie Manson, who is openly gay, has also taken part – gracing the centrefold two years ago.

'This year, International Men’s Day is about men leading by example and I’ve always tried to do that if I can,' the former athlete, who has since retired, said.

'I had to break through some personal barriers to come out as LGBTQ+ and then a few more to get naked for inclusion! But it’s been worth it.'

As part of calendar, the team have also got three researchers on board including Professor Brendan Gough and Dr Adam Lowe of Leeds Beckett University and Dr Michael Kehler of University of Calgary, Canada.

Colour pictures are juxtaposed next to stylish black and white snaps of the men, like this one which sees them posing with oars

Colour pictures are juxtaposed next to stylish black and white snaps of the men, like this one which sees them posing with oars 

Gazing at the landscape. Founder Angus Malcom said he wanted to challenge the idea of 'hegemonic masculinity' which is used to justify men's dominance in society over women and different forms of masculinity

Gazing at the landscape. Founder Angus Malcom said he wanted to challenge the idea of 'hegemonic masculinity' which is used to justify men's dominance in society over women and different forms of masculinity 

We're all in this together! The men were photographed with their arms on each other's shoulders

We're all in this together! The men were photographed with their arms on each other's shoulders 

Naked and unafraid: The athletes posed in the buff with face coverings as a nod to the coronavirus pandemic

Naked and unafraid: The athletes posed in the buff with face coverings as a nod to the coronavirus pandemic 

They aim to find out what role The Worldwide Roar can have in promoting healthier role models for men and improving mental health.

'Our society has rightly begun to address how we look at women, and how that promotes abusive thinking and behaviour,' said Lucas Etienne, former rower and long-time contributor, who has been working with the project on both sides of the camera for five years.

'It’s long overdue and there’s still a long way to go.

'That’s why we must also challenge how we look at men, and how men see themselves and each other.

'Too many men ask to be looked at with fear and awe instead of love and respect.

'We must drop our barriers, embrace equality and welcome being looked at by people of all genders and sexualities. I’ve done it and although I’m no exhibitionist, it’s been a positive, liberating experience.' 

Naked by the pond. The men put on frisky display, showing their athletic bodies off in the calendar

Naked by the pond. The men put on frisky display, showing their athletic bodies off in the calendar 

Branching out! Several props, including tree branches, were used to hide the participants' modesty

Branching out! Several props, including tree branches, were used to hide the participants' modesty 

What a ride! One of the participants was photographed fooling around with his bike for the calendar

What a ride! One of the participants was photographed fooling around with his bike for the calendar 

Nothing to see here! Two participants hide each other's bits with their towels and laugh for the shoot

Nothing to see here! Two participants hide each other's bits with their towels and laugh for the shoot 

Baring it all. One athlete was photographed on a naked horse ride, with a white steed awaiting their trot

Baring it all. One athlete was photographed on a naked horse ride, with a white steed awaiting their trot

The Worldwide Roar 2021 calendar is available to buy from www.worldwideroar.org for £15.99. 

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