Convicts strip for Bingham bid

Members of the Sydney Convicts gay rugby club will disrobe at the Midnight Shift on May 19 for Rugger Bugger.

This weekend’s event is particularly important, as it falls just weeks out from the Bingham Cup in Manchester, UK.

“The boys are out to achieve a third Bingham championship title,” organiser Richard Sparks said.

“The act this year will showcase the boys in the true form of the game — dirty, rough, sweaty and with a bit of cheek.”

Hosted by Maxi Shield, Rugger Bugger will feature music from DJs Matt Effect, Chip and Kitty Glitter and revealing shows from the Convicts boys.

“Hot naked rugby boys, strutting their ‘junk’ on stage — what more could you want?” Sparks teased.

“It’s your chance to come and meet the boys of the team, including the many new players this year. It’s also a very fun night out with a wide variety of entertainment besides the actual show.”

With tickets set at $25 pre-sale (from the venue or Daisy Tickets) and $30 on the door, funds raised will go towards helping the Convicts get to Manchester to compete against gay rugby teams from around the world — more than 30 clubs from 15 countries.

“It’s expensive to bring the team overseas because we have to pay for our doctors and other medical staff, coaches, managers, equipment, and of course each player has their own costs of flying to Manchester,” Sparks said.

“The community has been great in supporting us and we are really appreciative of the fact they get behind us every two years for the Bingham Cup.”

Sparks said he was confident the Convicts were in with a fighting chance to bring the Cup back to Australia, snatching it from New York’s Gotham Knights who won the 2010 tournament in Minneapolis.

“The boys have undergone an intense pre-season training program which has put them in the best possible position to give the competition a run for their money.

“The Convicts’ pre-season games have been very successful — hopefully an indication of a positive Bingham tournament to come.”

INFO: Rugger Bugger, Saturday, May 19, 9pm. www.sydneyconvicts.org

PICTURED: Convicts players (from left) Gavin Johnson, Richard Sparks and Marty Flynn.