Bingham Cup this weekend in Manchester

Best of luck to Village Spartans as they host this weekend's IGRAB Bingham Cup. From Pink News:

Manchester will play host to the Bingham Cup this weekend, where gay and inclusive rugby teams from around the world will compete for the 2012 title.

The New York Gotham Knights will defend their title as world champions at the three-day tournament beginning tomorrow at the city’s Broughton Park ground.

More than 30 clubs from 15 countries around the world, including Manchester’s Village Spartans RUFC, will arrive in Manchester for the largest event in the biennial Cup’s history.

Former England rugby World Cup champion, Ben Cohen MBE said: “I’m passionate that anyone, regardless of their background, should be able to play rugby. Events such as this tournament show how rugby has become more inclusive and it also helps break down barriers and bring more people into the sport.”

Gareth Thomas, the UK’s first professional rugby player to come out as gay, will host the tournament’s Gala Dinner at The Palace Hotel on Sunday, 3 June.

Andrew Stokes, chief executive of Marketing Manchester said the city’s large gay community and “sporting” identity made it “an ideal host city for the Bingham Cup”.

Keep reading HERE.