Meet the Aussie teams competing in the Bingham Cup

SYDNEY CONVICTS

Sydney’s first gay and inclusive rugby union team is where it all began in Australia back in 2004 when founding member Andrew Purchas teamed up with some players around the city who were interested in forming a club to break down sexuality barriers in Australian rugby.

Their founding principles still remain tantamount to what guides the club 10 years later and has seen them become the most successful team in the history of the Bingham Cup – winning the main competition three times.

Credited as the driving force behind bringing the upcoming Bingham Cup to Australia for the first time, the Sydney Convicts are a team dedicated to advancing important social causes and bringing some fierce competition.

MELBOURNE CHARGERS 

Formed in 2009 by Ben Lanken, the Chargers made solid progress during their early years to become a healthy competitor for their main rivals, the Convicts, and even teamed up with them to take home the 2010 Bingham Bowl in Minneapolis.

After finally finding their home club this year at the Melbourne Rugby Club, one of the two oldest clubs in the state, the Chargers have been completely welcomed into the city’s rugby union scene and continue to promote their overall message of inclusiveness and openness in sport.

The Chargers are looking to take a significant stand in the upcoming Bingham Cup and prove themselves a force to be reckoned with.

BRISBANE HUSTLERS

After almost being relegated to the sidelines of history, the Brisbane Hustlers went on hiatus a year after they formed in 2004, but returned seven years later in 2012 thanks to the effort of a few passionate players in Brisbane and ex-Sydney Convict players living in Queensland.

The reformed Hustlers have gone from strength to strength since their brief return to the scene, going on to overcome the local derby powerhouse, the Convicts, at this year’s Purchas Cup.

Having the full support of the state’s premier rugby union team, the Queensland Reds, behind them, Brisbane’s only LGBTI and inclusive rugby team will be looking to build upon their Purchas victory at the Bingham Cup.

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The Bingham Cup is currently being hosted for the first time in Sydney, Australia, this week.

DETAILS (along with full list of international teams): Click here

**This article first appeared in the new September issue of the Star Observer, which is currently available in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide and Canberra.  Click here to find out where you can grab your free copy or click here to read the magazine in digital flip-book format.