International Gay Rugby Association and Board

From Infogalactic: the planetary knowledge core
(Redirected from IGRAB)
Jump to: navigation, search

International Gay Rugby (Association and Board) (IGR) is the umbrella organization for the world's gay rugby clubs. It is dedicated to encouraging lesbians and gay men everywhere to play rugby. IGR is based in London, UK.

The Objects of IGR are:

To promote equality and diversity in particular the elimination of discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation or identification and to promote good health through the playing of rugby both for the public benefit by: • providing opportunities for members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender community (LGBT) to compete in rugby through tolerant and accepting clubs and teams, both primarily LGBT and LGBT-friendly and by eliminating homophobia in rugby through community outreach, competitive play and tournament events that stand for tolerance and acceptance in sports; and • working with the rugby governing bodies and other partner organisations worldwide to improve tolerance and acceptance of LGBT athletes at all levels of the sport of rugby ensuring that no individual shall be excluded from participating in rugby on the basis of sexual orientation or identification.


IGR seeks to ensure its activities and rugby are inclusive in nature. IGR will strive to ensure that no individual shall be excluded from participating in IGR or rugby on the basis of sexual orientation, gender, race, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, political beliefs, athletic ability, age, physical challenge, mental challenge, or health status.

IGR constitutionally covers rugby union, rugby league, rugby sevens, quad (wheelchair) rugby, and touch rugby. Rugby union is by far the largest part of the IGR's focus.

The officers for International Gay Rugby are Jeff Wilson, Chairman; Andrew Purchas, Vice-Chairman; Matthew Whiteley, Vice-Chairman; Duane Ward-Voerman, Treasurer; and Jon Glassmeyer, Secretary.[1]

File:Alice Hoagland.jpg
Mark Bingham's mother (Alice Hoagland) and his friend Jason Reimuller (R) at training for Bingham Cup 2014 in Sydney.

History

In 2002 a coordinating group of gay & bisexual rugby teams based around the globe got together to create IGR as the body to promote rugby as an all-inclusive non-discriminatory sport which everyone can play, regardless of sexuality. The formation of this body led to the inauguration of a new international rugby competition—a gay rugby world's cup—which in a unanimous decision by all the members of IGR became known as the Bingham Cup. Since then the Bingham Cup has been won by:

  • 2002 - San Francisco Fog (tournament hosts)
  • 2004 - San Francisco Fog (tournament hosted by London Kings Cross Steelers)
  • 2006 - Sydney Convicts (tournament hosted by New York Gotham Knights)
  • 2008 - Sydney Convicts (tournament hosted by Dublin Emerald Warriors)
  • 2010 - Gotham Knights (tournament hosted by Minneapolis Mayhem RFC)
  • 2012 - Sydney Convicts (tournament hosted by Manchester Village Spartans RFC)
  • 2014 - Sydney Convicts (tournament hosted by Sydney Convicts RFC)[2]
  • 2016 - TBD (tournament hosted by Nashville Grizzlies RFC)

Member Clubs

Australasia

Europe

South America

North America

See also

References

  1. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  2. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  3. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  4. http://www.ColoradoRushRFC.org
  5. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  6. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  7. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.

External links