Getting ready for the Bingham Cup

Gay rugby club Sydney Convicts has commenced preparations for the Bingham Cup Tournament to be held in May later this year. 

The club is expected to send two teams to Manchester to compete for the coveted trophy, which the Convicts narrowly missed in 2010.

“It will be our fifth Bingham and we will be looking to win our third Championship in both grades of competition,” club president David Whittaker told SX. “We were thrilled to win the second grade trophy, the Bingham Bowl, in 2010 in Minneapolis. But our strongest side narrowly missed out on the big prize, the Bingham Cup in the dying seconds of the grand final. That loss hurt and we are determined to win the Cup back and retain the Bowl. We need to make the most of the off-season and make sure our guys are fit and ready to play at the highest level when they get to Manchester.”

To help with their conquest, Whittaker is hoping to recruit new players to the club.

“This season will be the Convicts' ninth and many of the guys who travelled to London in 2004 have retired or are close to it, so the fresh blood is very much needed,” Whittaker said.

“The players we have gained in the past few seasons are high quality and we have been able to maintain our rugby at a very good standard.

“We have a solid contingent of fairly new rugby league converts. It always takes a little time for them to adjust to rugby union but we are expecting big things from our ‘leaguies’ in 2012. Combined with our Bingham veterans we will field two strong teams in Manchester.

“Now is a great time to join the Convicts and travel the world.”

Interested players are invited to meet the Sydney Convicts at Fair Day on Sunday, February 12 at Victoria Park, Camperdown.

[Pictured] Sydney Convicts players Richard Coates, Junray Burlas, Fernando Peres and Jay Claydon take time out during a training session at Bondi Beach. Photo: Supplied