SPORTS: EUROPE’S GAY RUGBY CHAMPIONS KICK OFF CHAMPIONSHIP CAMPAIGN

by Mild Mannered Man · February 28, 2013

London’s Kings Cross Steelers set sights on Sydney victory Fundraising cabaret event at Heaven club on 19 April.

by Newsdesk | 28th February 2013

The Kings Cross Steelers came third in the Bingham Cup world championships

London’s gay and inclusive rugby team, the Kings Cross Steelers, are preparing to take on the world’s best gay rugby clubs in Sydney in 2014’s international championships, the Bingham Cup. The West Ham-based team, who are currently the European champions, are hoping to hit the top spot in next year’s Bingham Cup after coming third overall in 2012.

The team are staging a variety show at London’s Heaven club on 19 April to raise money to help them achieve their international goal. Among the acts will be Divalicious, the team’s renowned drag act, along with top cabaret act La Voix and upcoming boyband Class A. Tickets are on sale now at www.1night.org, with proceeds helping to provide coaching, physiotherapy and equipment for the team.

Steelers Chairman Tim Sullivan said: ‘We take our game seriously, knowing that few rugby teams in this country have a chance to compete at an international level. It’s a huge honour to have a chance to represent our city, our country and the game of rugby with all the courage, pride and hard work that demands. On and off the pitch Steelers have a great sense of humour too, and we can’t wait to put that on show for our supporters at Heaven in April.’

The Kings Cross Steelers are the world’s oldest gay rugby union club, and have competed at an international level for nearly 20 years. The team play in the Essex League, and are currently gay rugby union’s European champions. They hope to retain that title in next month’s Union Cup tournament in Bristol, having won the 2011 Union Cup in Amsterdam. The Steelers welcome men of all sexual orientations and levels of sporting experience who want to learn and play rugby union, and currently have 80 players in three teams.