Bingham Cup (Rugby)

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ARU BOARD APPROVES INCLUSION POLICY AHEAD OF 2014 BINGHAM CUP

ARU BOARD APPROVES INCLUSION POLICY AHEAD OF 2014 BINGHAM CUP

29/08/2014, Sydney, Rugby, Bingham Cup, Article # 3779441
 

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29 August 2014
 

ARU BOARD APPROVES INCLUSION POLICY AHEAD OF 2014 BINGHAM CUP

 

Australian Rugby Union is delighted to announce a new Inclusion Policy, which is designed to stamp out all forms of discrimination and homophobia in Rugby and ensure a positive environment for everyone involved in the game.

 

Today’s announcement coincides with the launch of the 2014 Bingham Cup, which will see thousands of international Rugby players, fans and media gather in Sydney for the world cup of gay Rugby.

 

In August last year, the ARU became the first major Australian sporting code to commit to developing an Inclusion Policy.

 

ARU CEO Bill Pulver reaffirmed Australian Rugby’s resolve to eliminate discrimination in Rugby in April this year when he joined the leaders of other sporting codes to sign a collective commitment to stamp out homophobia in each of their respective sports.

 

“We’ve worked with a number of stakeholders to develop our Inclusion Policy – most particularly, the organisers of the 2014 Bingham Cup, who were instrumental in putting a framework together earlier this year,” Pulver said.

 

“Our new Inclusion Policy reinforces Australian Rugby’s commitment to ensuring every individual, whether they’re players, supporters, coaches or administrators, feel safe, welcome and included, regardless of race, gender or sexuality.

 

“Over the next few months we’ll start implementing our Policy to ensure everyone involved in our game at all levels is aware of it and understands our expectations.

 

“We want Australian Rugby to be an environment where everyone is treated with respect and dignity, reflecting our desire to create a truly diverse and inclusive Australian Rugby community.

 

“There is absolutely no place for homophobia or any form of discrimination in our game and our actions and words, both on and off the field, must reflect this.

 

“I am confident our Inclusion Policy signals our clear stance on discrimination. It will ensure everyone in Rugby understands our position on inclusion and will help us tackle homophobia in all aspects of our sport.

 

“Congratulations to the 2014 Bingham Cup Committee which has done a remarkable job in creating real change, in addition to organising what is set to be a terrific tournament in Sydney this weekend.

 

“On behalf of Australian Rugby, I would like to welcome all Bingham Cup athletes and supporters to Sydney as we celebrate a future for Australian Sport – free of discrimination.

 

“I wish all the competitors well for the tournament and look forward to watching some fantastic Rugby in Woollahra and Rose Bay over the next few days.”

 

Qantas Wallabies stalwart and Bingham Cup Ambassador, Adam Ashley-Cooper, echoed Mr Pulver’s sentiments in expressing his support for the tournament.

 

“I’m extremely proud to be part of an event which is challenging stereotypes and the 2014 Bingham Cup is an excellent chance to foster further growth for the initiative.”

 

“Freeing Australian sport of discrimination is crucial and I’m looking forward to supporting players from around the world as they band together for a great cause,” Ashley-Cooper said.

 

The 2014 Bingham Cup will be played in Sydney from Friday 29 August to Sunday 31 August.

 

Hosted by the Sydney Convicts, Australia’s first gay Rugby club, it will see 24 Rugby teams from more than 15 countries compete in one of the largest international Rugby tournaments of the year.

 

To find out more about Bingham Cup, visit http://binghamcup.com/

 

The ARU’s Inclusion Policy can be viewed at http://www.rugby.com.au/ARUHQ/inclusionpolicy.aspx

 

 

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Gay rugby players arrive in Australia: NSW Waratahs host massive joint training session


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Waratahs Rugby Media Release

Monday August 25, 2014

 

Gay rugby players arrive in Australia: NSW Waratahs host massive joint training session

 

Gay rugby teams from around the world have arrived in Australia to try to win the Bingham Cup from three-time world champions, the Sydney Convicts, ahead of the stereotype-smashing world cup of gay rugby, which begins this Friday.

 

More than 500 international gay rugby players are expected to attend a training session this Wednesday (August 27) with Waratahs players Matt Lucas (Manly), Jed Holloway and Ben Volavola (Southern Districts), plus Wallabies coach (and former Waratah and Wallaby) Andrew Blades.  As long-time supporters of the Sydney Convicts, the Waratahs along with numerous other elite rugby players and teams around the world, are providing significant support to the gay teams as a way of sending a strong message of acceptance of gay athletes.

 

The Bingham Cup is a gruelling tournament of intense rugby with 24 teams playing six games over three days. Almost 1,000 players and supporters representing 30 gay and inclusive rugby clubs from 15 countries have arrived in Australia for the Biennial event, named after 9/11 hero Mark Bingham.  The event is one of the largest 15-a-side rugby tournaments in the world and while most participants are gay, in the spirit of inclusivity, many teams have straight players.

 

One of the strong contenders to win the Cup is London’s Kings Cross Steelers, the world’s first gay rugby team. Like many athletes taking part in the tournament, the team’s first grade team captain, Chris Buckmaster, used to believe being gay and playing a tough sport was an impossible combination.

 

“I grew up in a rugby dominated society where being gay was not even an option, let alone being gay and actually playing competitive sport. This led me to believe that I could not possibly actually be gay myself, given I excelled in sport and was also the school prefect at a private all boys school. All of my misconceptions about myself and gay people were demolished when I went to my first training session with the Kings Cross Steelers, I was very surprised by the high level of rugby and focus on the game.”

 

There is intense rivalry among the international gay teams, particularly Sydney, London, New York and San Francisco as well as among the three Australian teams from Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney. Interestingly, Brisbane beat Sydney earlier this year at the Australian Gay Rugby championship.

 

"Too many people may assume that a bunch of gay guys holding a rugby tournament is just an excuse to have big party with a rugby theme - but nothing could be further from the truth,” says Dany Samreth, captain of the San Francisco Fog RFC, the team Mark Bingham played for before his death.

 

The San Francisco Fog RFC hosted the first Bingham Cup in 2002, after Mark's death on Flight 93, which he helped crash into the fields of Pennsylvania. “We have been training very hard over the last two years and have received strong support from high level athletes and coaches. We’re very focused on winning our third Bingham Cup and bringing it back to San Francisco where the tournament began.”

 

 

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