Convicts miss out on 2012 Bingham Cup bid

The Sydney Convicts missed out on their bid to host the 2012 Bingham Cup.

Last night the International Gay Rugby Association and Board announced that Manchester would host the event.

The Convicts and their supporters had gathered at the Beresford Hotel last night to hear the announcement.

Convicts president and founder Andrew Purchas said the decision was disappointing.

“The team worked really hard to bring this bid together and we’ve had a phenomenal amount of support from the community, including the business community; the media, both straight and gay; as well as the many people who have donated in-kind services to the bid,” Purchas said.

“There’s no question Manchester will throw the best Bingham Cup ever held. It is going to be an amazing tournament and the Convicts are looking forward to competing and winning the cup back in 2012.”

The Bingham Cup has never been held in the southern hemisphere.

Purchas said the Convicts would spend the next two years developing the side, with several key players expected to retire between now and the 2012 event.

“We’re going to focus on developing a new generation of Sydney Convicts because many of our original players have retired,” he said.

“Many people who have never played rugby will have an opportunity to learn from some very skilled players over the next few years, so if people are thinking of playing, there’s no better time than now to join the Convicts.”

info: To find out more about joining the Convicts, visit www.sydneyconvicts.org