'Once in a lifetime' competition for LGBT+ team

4 hours ago

Sofia DobsonBristol

News image — Bristol Bisons RFC, first set up in 2005, will play at an international tournament in Australia

Bristol Bisons RFC A rugby team is pictured on a pitch for an official picture. There are two lines of players - one line is sitting and the other is standing. They are all smiling at the camera, with the rugby posts visible behind them. They are all wearing branded black and pink sunhats and their full kit, which is black with pink and multi-coloured patterns on it. — Bristol Bisons RFC, first set up in 2005, will play at an international tournament in Australia

The South West of England's first LGBT+ inclusive rugby team is preparing for a "once in a lifetime" opportunity to play in an international competition.

The Bristol Bisons RFC team, first set up in 2005, will head to Brisbane, Australia, to take part in the Bingham Cup - an international gay rugby union tournament.

Taking place from 19 to 23 August, the tournament aims to attract players from around the world and marks the first time the Bristol Bisons have played in the southern hemisphere.

Director of rugby and head coach Sasha Acheson said the team were "determined to grab this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity with both hands, playing with courage, creativity and relentless intent".

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She said: "If we leave Australia knowing we honoured the opportunity, each other, and everything this journey could be, the results will be incredible."

The tournament takes place every two years.

The Bisons took part in the last competition in Rome in 2024 in which they finished third.

The Bingham Cup is named after former rugby player Mark Bingham who was aboard United Airlines Flight 93 which crashed during the 9/11 terror attacks in the United States.

Bristol Bisons RFC Ruby players play on a pitch, with one team member in a blue and rainbow kit tackling another player in a pink and black kit. People are running around them during the match. — It is the first time the team will have played in the southern hemisphere

Team members have had to raise money for the trip to Australia themselves.

Many took part in a 100-day cycling challenge, cycling the distance from Bristol to Brisbane.

Bristol Bisons chairperson Davey McAndrew said: "We are incredibly proud to be among the few UK inclusive rugby clubs travelling to compete on the world stage and showcase everything the Bisons stand for - inclusive and creative rugby, a strong one-herd mentality, community and belonging."

Kate and Mark Wood - owners of the main sponsors of the club's journey to the tournament, Bristol-based gym Origin Athletic - said the competition provided a "place where everyone feels welcome, regardless of background".

They said: "The Bisons are helping to create exactly that kind of environment within rugby, breaking down barriers and proving that sport is at its best when it's inclusive."

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