It's Super Bowl, World Series and Stanley Cup time for the gay rugby community.
The Bingham Cup—an international rugby competition named in remembrance of Mark Kendall Bingham, one of the heroic victims of the 9/11 terrorist attacks—is this weekend in Dublin, Ireland. The Chicago Dragons have a 25-person team, plus two coaches and a few fans in Ireland for the event, which takes place every other year. They will compete June 13-15.
Bingham was a talented, gay rugby player for one of America's leading LGBT teams, the San Francisco Fog RFC. The first Bingham Cup was held in 2002 and hosted by the San Francisco Fog, with eight teams competing over two days; the Fog became the first Cup winners.
In 2004, London's Kings Cross Steelers hosted The Bingham Cup, and 20 teams participated. The 2006 Bingham Cup was played in New York City, and the Sydney ( Aust. ) Convicts were the champions.
Incidentally, all but three of the Dragon players are gay.
'This is a huge event for us, the big one,' said Philippe Gardner, 27, captain for the Dragons and one of the team's top players. 'There definitely is a remembrance factor and the competition is going to be pretty fierce.'
The Dragons are seeded in opening-round pool play with the Sydney Convicts, Seattle Quake and Washington Renegades 2.
'I think we have a great chance to do really well. We're taking a great team with some really good rookies,' said Gardner, who was born in Chicago and raised in Las Cruces, N.M.; he is now an auditor living in Andersonville. He is gay and 'very single,' he said, laughing.
The 2008 Bingham Cup marks the second time the Dragons have sent a full team to the sport's flagship gay tournament.
The team's top players are flankers Elliot Massuda and Paul Cannella, and inside center Andrew Wang. Josh Restrick, who plays outside center, could be the breakthrough star for the Dragons.
The Dragons are the first predominantly gay rugby club in the Midwest and the team resumes local play in August. To help sponsor the club or to find out more, see www.ChicagoDragons.org .
Chicago Dragon Paul Cannella ( left ) in a recent rugby match. Photo courtesy of the Chicago Dragons