A great celebration of sport, of friendship. Of rugby. Three thousand athletes from 19 nations, triple the number of spectators, 4 days for 258 matches on 8 fields in the Eur area of Rome. The eleventh edition of the Bingham Cup, an inclusive amateur rugby championship organized by International Gay Rugby with the patronage of Roma Capitale, the Lazio Region, the Italian Red Cross, Sport and Health, Coni, broke all previous participation records. The main trophy was won by the French Les Gaillardes, in the final over the Australian Sydney Convicts (27-7), while the Dutch Amsterdam Lowlanders won the Amanda Cup by beating the Canadian Ottawa Wolves (62-0). A tournament to remember twice, because on Sunday the ‘Renato Speziali’ sports center also hosted the first world match between two teams entirely made up of transgender people: in front of four thousand spectators the Pink team prevailed over the Blue (17-15).
Bona and Lo Cicero, Italian legends in support
The kick-off of the final was given by Ambrogio Bona, the legendary Italian prop, who was present together with another historic champion of the front line, Andrea Lo Cicero. «We thank the sporting and administrative institutions who have always been close to us in these two years of preparation, and who supported us to ensure that the Bingham Cup in Rome marked a turning point for the entire LGBTQIA+ community», commented Gianmarco Forcella, president of the organizing committee. «Seeing thousands of people from all over the world joyfully participate in this event is the greatest satisfaction that repays all of us, together with the many volunteers, whose contribution was fundamental to the success of the event».
Amodeo (Libera): «A great victory for everyone»
101 teams participated in the tournament, dedicated to Mark Bingham, an American and gay rugby player, among the victims of United Flight 93 who heroically avoided another massacre by managing to turn against the hijackers on 11 September 2001. 101 teams took part, 8 of which were female. The USA was present with 32 clubs. There are two Italian teams, one male and one female. The Challenger Shield was won by Asd Libera Rugby Roma, in the final against the German Flying Monks (15-12). The Romans, protagonists of the organization, were coached by Valerio Amodeo and Mario Salvi: «We are delighted to have hosted what was the largest amateur oval event ever in Italy», explains Amodeo. «Seeing so much rugby in Rome fills us with joy. Technically it was a good level tournament, with an amazing Australian semi-final between Sydney and Brisbane. Libera’s team, very heterogeneous and with different profiles, has been growing every match. It wasn’t so obvious, bringing it here – to Italy, and to Rome. a message of inclusion and support for the LGBTQIA+ community: we hope it has opened the eyes of those few still victims of prejudices and stereotypes.”
