Dublin to host gay rugby World
Cup
 Ireland
has beaten off competition from Paris and Sydney to host the next gay
rugby World Cup in 2008.
The biennial competition was awarded to Dublin at a meeting in Seattle
of representatives from 30 countries. This year’s competition was
held in New York.
The three-day Bingham Cup is held in memory of Mark Bingham who died aged
31 during the September 11 hijackings on board United Airlines flight
93.
He is believed to have been among the passengers who stormed the cockpit
and forced the plane down in a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania thereby
preventing the hijackers from using it to kill hundreds or thousands of
additional victims.
Tournament director Richie Whyte said beating off Paris and Sydney was
a huge achievement.
He said: “We had to compete with the natural attractions of two
of the world’s greatest cities.”
Philip Browne the chief executive of the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU)
sent a message of support to the organising committee as soon as he heard
the news.
Nick Costello of the Emerald Warriors, Ireland’s first gay rugby
team formed in 2003, says about 2,000 players and supporters will visit
Dublin.
He said: “It’s good news for rugby, the gay community and
the city.”
The competition will be held in Dublin City University’s campus
in Glasnevin in June 2008.
Mr Costello added: “DCU is large enough to host an international
event but it has a campus feel about it so it should generate a buzz.”
The Emerald Warriors, still the country’s only gay team, represented
Ireland in the last two tournaments. The 35-strong squad trains in Tallaght
and is raising funds for a clubhouse.
The IRFU will supply all the match officials for the World Cup and complimented
the team for adding a “much needed vibrancy” to the game.
The Warriors have also been praised for helping to transform the image
of rugby from a sport solely for the “professional, macho middle
classes”.
Costello said: “The club is gay-friendly but not exclusively gay.”
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