Convicts get major cup boost

The Sydney Convicts rugby club have received an important boost in their bid for the 2012 Bingham Cup.

A sub-committee of the International Gay Rugby Association and Board (IGRAB) has voted 7-1 that Sydney host the event, despite a strong bid by the Manchester Village Spartans.

IGRAB president Alex Fallis, who is on the sub-committee, voted for Sydney’s bid. The lone dissenting vote came from a representative of an English club.

The sub-committee will now report to the IGRAB board.

Convicts president Andrew Purchas said Sydney had several advantages.

“They said they were the best bids they’d seen since the tournament began in 2002,” he told Sydney Star Observer.

“But they saw how much support the Convicts have from the gay press, the rugby community and the community in general. We’ve also secured some corporate sponsorship, while Sydney’s status as a gay tourist location and a very strong rugby city were also highlights.”

Purchas said while concerns had been raised about Australia’s remoteness from other member clubs’ countries, it had also been a strength.

“The committee recognised that if the Bingham Cup is to become a truly global event it has to come to the southern hemisphere — given the strength of support we have, now seems like the perfect time. But we’ve still got to convince the 38 member clubs that they want to put the extra time and effort into raising the funds to get here.”
IGRAB president Alex Fallis is in Australia to see the facilities earmarked for use in Sydney’s bid.

“We’ve spent some time showing him the ovals, hotels, and training areas we’ve chosen and the opening and closing ceremony locations,” Purchas said.
“He’s been extremely impressed with not only what we’ve put together but also the amount of support in the community.”

Despite the sub-committee’s recommendation, Purchas said the Convicts were relying on ongoing community support to get the bid over the line.
“People can help by … joining our Facebook page, and leaving comments about how much they want to see the Bingham Cup in Sydney,” he said.