BINGHAM CUP
2018 BID
KINGS CROSS STEELERS RFC
LONDON, U.K.
CONTENTS PAGE
3 Our elevator pitch
4 Foreward
5 Plan on a page
YOUR RUGBY TOURNAMENT
6 Key things to know
7-11 Tournament venue and experience
12 Ceremonies: opening and closing
13 Tournament timings
Transportation
Medical
14 Emergency care
Travelling with HIV
Security
LONDON BINGHAM 2018
A WEEK TO REMEMBER
15 - 17
18 - 20 21 - 23
Your week in London and the Bingham Cup
A letter from an American Werebear in London
Extending your stay: holidays around the Bingham Cup
LONDON LOGISTICS
24 Key things to know
25 Getting to London
Air
26 Road and Rail
Getting around London
27 Accommodation: housing us together on campus
BUDGET AND FINANCE
28
29
Key things to know
Registration fees
Registration schedule
Registration covers (players and supporters)
1
CONTENTS (continued)
YOUR
30
31
32 - 33
HOSTS
The Kings Cross Steelers RFC
Pathway to Rugby
“Hasn’t Bingham been to London?”
HOST RELATIONSHIPS
Our partners
ORGANISATIONAL FRAMEWORK
34 Event governance
Governing union and tournament governance
Committee structure
Decision-making
Responsibilities
35 - 39
Leadership
LEGACY
40 Legacy and the Bingham Academy
APPENDICES
42 - 49 Appendix A: London Bingham 2018 Budget
50 - 67
Appendix B: Endorsement Letters
68 Appendix C: Bilateral health agreements
2
OUR
ELEVATOR
PITCH
WHY LONDON FOR BINGHAM CUP 2018?
BEST BINGHAM FOR RUGBY
An amateur tournament we guarantee professionals
could play in: first-rate rugby pitches, conveniently
located tournament grounds, functional and festive
amenities for players and supporters - all fully backed
by our key partners, like the Rugby Football Union and
Mayor of London.
MAXIMUM PARTICIPATION
£100 ($131/€120) early bird registration for
players/ £90 ($118/€107) for supporters; 10 for 1
subsidy
model during early bird registration (one
free registration for every 10 players registered);
campus accommodation option £55 ($72/€66)/night;
20-minute commute to tournament grounds and city
centre.
UNIQUE LONDON EXPERIENCE
Whether it’s your first or your tenth visit, this visit to
London will be unique: experience our 2,000-year-old
city from the perspective of Londoners who come
from all over the world but call this place home.
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FOREWoRD
Fellow IGR members:
Thank you for taking the time to review the Kings Cross Steelers’ bid proposal to host the 2018
Mark Kendall Bingham Memorial Tournament in London.
It’s been 20 years since a group of guys had the inspired idea of setting up the first rugby club for
gay and bisexual men – the Kings Cross Steelers RFC. From humble beginnings, they helped to
start a global community comprising over 60 members, from Montreal to Madrid to Melbourne.
The spirit of brotherhood and camaraderie woven into the lives of thousands of gay, bisexual,
and straight men since that time can find their roots in the British capital, London.
As a proud rugby nation and city, we guarantee the highest bar will be set for your tournament
experience. We’ve secured first-rate, conveniently-located tournament grounds, affordable
campus accommodation options, and the important amenities that will let you focus on your
game and play at your best. As a long-time rugby player myself, I fully understand how important
these considerations can be. We promise our Bingham will be the best Bingham for rugby.
The backdrop for your tournament will be our vibrant, world-class city, London. It is easily
accessible, navigable and conveniently located. We have countless cultural, historic,
and entertainment attractions, a superb 24-hour public transportation system, and one of the
world’s biggest LGBT communities. London will be a great destination and the best launchpad
for European travels before and after the tournament.
Our game prides itself on its history and traditions, whether it’s performing the Maori haka,
post-match drinking, or coming together every two years for the Bingham Cup. So, in 2018, the
Steelers are calling you home to the birthplace of our international rugby community, to the
nation that knows a little bit about honouring rugby, spectacle, and tradition.
A lot has changed since 1995, and even 2004, and many of us couldn’t imagine what a
contemporary Bingham Cup in a huge rugby-loving, gay-friendly city like London could be like.
For players and clubs – old and new – it will be an opportunity to experience the tournament
like you’ve never experienced it before.
London 2018 will shine a bright spotlight on all of us as rugby players, supporters, and all that
we as the international gay rugby community have achieved over two decades. Like those early
pioneers we will also blaze a trail for the next generation of our brotherhood 20, 40, or 100
years from now.
We are passionate rugby players and fans who can’t wait to welcome you to our hometown in
2018.
Sincerely yours in rugby,
Christopher Kang
2018 London Bingham Cup Bid Committee Chairman
Kings Cross Steelers Rugby Football Club
4
WHAT?
PLAN ON A PAGE
Organise and deliver a first-class Bingham Cup experience to our international rugby community in our
first-class world city.
WHY?
We want to celebrate a momentous anniversary and milestone for our community by shining a global
spotlight on the tournament, the IGR membership, and everything we as a community have achieved over
two decades as well as what still needs to be done in the years and decades ahead.
WHEN?
25 June- 1 July, 2018, with tournament playing days on 29 June - 1 July.
The timing of the tournament will also coincide with Pride in London 2018, which is expected to be held
the weekend just prior to our proposed playing days.
WHERE?
Playing Grounds:
Opening Ceremony:
Closing Ceremony:
Accommodation Option: Memorial Park, West Ham, East London
The Roundhouse, Camden, North London
Pulse nightclub (co-hosted by XXL), Southwark, Central London
Queen Mary University Mile End student residences, East London
HOW?
OVERRIDING PLAYING ETHOS: easy to play, easy to compete. ........
LONDON 2018: the best Bingham Cup for rugby: first-rate, conveniently-located tournament grounds,
the best amenities (including pitch marshalling and complimentary physio and strapping, ), fully backed by
key partners - Rugby Football Union, London Society of Referees and the Mayor of London.
ENCOURAGE MAXIMUM PARTICIPATION: £100 ($131/€120) early bird registration for players/£90
($118/€107) for supporters; 10 for 1 subsidy model (one free registration for every 10 players registered).
AFFORDABLE CAMPUS STYLE ACCOMMODATION OPTION: high-quality student accommodation
through Queen Mary University in East Central London for £55 ($72/€66)/night; 20-minute commute to
tournament grounds and city centre.
UNIQUE LONDON EXPERIENCE: programme of official and unofficial events to highlight the very best
of London, England, our LGBT community, and our rugby-playing history and traditions.
LEAVING A LEGACY/BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS: unprecedented media spotlight on IGR, its members
and the tournament; establish “The Bingham Academy”, a workshop for established and newly-formed
clubs to learn from each other’s experiences and best practices with regard to recruitment, coaching, club
development, fundraising, sponsorship, and community relationship building.
5
YOUR RUGBY TOURNAMENT
KEY THINGS TO KNOW
First class tournament organisation and delivery: brought to you by the Steelers, with the
support of the (English) Rugby Football Union, the London Society of Rugby Football Union Referees,
and the British School of Osteopathy.
The best tournament facilities: with six rugby pitches, Astroturf warm-up areas, 16 changing rooms,
dozens of showers and toilets, complimentary physiotherapy and strapping, dedicated pitch marshalling,
licenced bar and clubhouse and free WiFi on-site.
Atmospheric tournament grounds: offering a fun, atmospheric tournament village for players and
supporters alike, including spectator stands, concessions from London’s famous street food and clothing
scene, memorabilia, and entertainment - there will be plenty to see and do in between games.
Easy to play, easy to compete: with the tournament grounds, players accommodations, and central
London all located within 30 minutes of each other on public transport; come and go as you please with
a weekly unlimited public transportation travel card to be included in participants’ Welcome Pack.
6
A London Bingham Cup is first and foremost about giving players and
supporters a first-class rugby experience. Our ambition is to make the 2018
Bingham Cup the best Bingham Cup for rugby - fully organised and delivered
with the professionalism, high standard, and keen attention paid to player
and supporter needs that are hallmarks of any sporting event organised in
our city.
We’ve drawn on the Steelers’ experience hosting past tournaments, informal
feedback from Bingham Cup participants at other IGR clubs, as well as
the guidance of our partners (the English Rugby Football Union and the
London Society of Rugby Football Union Referees) to design a top notch,
one-of-a-kind rugby tournament experience.
TOURNAMENT VENUE & EXPERIENCE
Tournaments are only as good as the venues in which they take place. We
believe our selection of distinctive venues reflects our commitment to
deliver excellence on and off the pitch, where no venue is more than 30
minutes away from each other.
MEMORIAL PARK
HOME TO THE STEELERS
The tournament will be hosted at our home club and grounds at Memorial
Park, East London. The club’s multi-acre but compact site (to which we
will have unfettered access in the run up to the tournament) means we can
offer all facilities in one space, without the need for players or supporters to
leave the campus. However for those that need to come and go, the city’s
excellent public transportation links means participants can travel to and
from our proposed accommodation or Central London in under 30 minutes.
Memorial Park frequently bids for and hosts international tournaments, so
participants can be assured that the facilities and amenities are suited for
high level rugby playing. Past events include the British vs Australian Police
Tournament, Essex County Rugby Championships, and the Great Britain
touch rugby trial to select our national squad. In the lead-up to the IRB
Rugby World Cup in 2015, the grounds underwent a major refurbishment to
play host to the Barbarians as a practice venue.
7
TOURNAMENT GROUND HIGHLIGHTS
•
Six rugby playing pitches
•
Two 3G/Astroturf all-weather pitches for warm-up and practice
•
Sixteen changing rooms as well as plentiful shower facilities
•
Two fully-licensed bars
•
High quality, fully irrigated main pitch
•
Free WiFi available on site
•
Excellent transportation links: accessible via National Rail and four London Underground line
•
£500,000 site and pitch upgrade in advance of 2015 IRB Rugby World Cup
8
MEMORIAL PARK: TOURNAMENT GROUND
9
10
DEDICATED PITCH MANAGEMENT
Each of our six high quality playing pitches will have a dedicated pitch manager and marshall, responsible
for communicating scores and match scheduling while providing rapid responses to developments and
emergencies on the pitch. We guarantee that every team will know rankings, schedules, and match times on
a match-by-match basis throughout the tournament.
FREE PHYSIO THERAPY AND STRAPPING
We all know the toll that three days of intense play can take on our bodies, so we have partnered with the
British School of Osteopathy to provide a large contingent of physiotherapists who will administer treatment
and strapping free of charge to Bingham Cup participants between matches.
PROFESSIONAL REFEREE SUPPORT
We are committed to working with the IGR on recruiting an experienced and highly qualified corps of
referees to officiate at a London Bingham Cup. We have also received the support of the London Society of
Rugby Football Union Referees (LSRFUR), the oldest and largest rugby football union refereeing society in
the world, to provide any supplementary officials as required. We have been guaranteed that any LSRFUR
referees will have Division 1 (or higher) level officiating experience. The LSRFUR has reviewed the 2016
tournament rules and have flagged no concern. They have confirmed that London 2018 can be appointed
dedicated personnel to manage referee appointments and the disciplinary panel.
P I TC H S I D E A M E N E T I E S
We will provide enhanced pitchside amenities to ensure that your playing experience is run as smoothly,
easily, and enjoyably as possible, so you can focus on what matters most - the rugby.
1. Water Stations: each pitch will be furnished with water stations, so no matter how scorching the British
sun gets, you can be guaranteed to stay hydrated.
2. Medical Staff: the tournament will be served by pitchside medical staff, with private ambulances on call
for emergency medical treatment and hospital transfers.
3. Comfort and Safety: all required amenities for player and supporter comfort and safety, including licensed
on-site security guards, medical personnel and sanitary facilities, including bathrooms in the changing and
locker rooms.
TOURNAMENT STRUCTURE AND SEEDING
We are committed to working closely with IGR on tournament structure and to gather detailed seeding
information so that all players, regardless of ability and experience, are able to enjoy a tournament suited
to their level of experience. Our aim is to ensure that the tournament and matches are run as smoothly and
fairly as possible.
ATMOSPHERE AND TOURNAMENT
We will create a fun, atmospheric tournament village, including spectator stands, concessions from London’s
famous street food and clothing scene, memorabilia and entertainment.
TRAINING PITCHES
Training pitches will be allocated to each team for at least one hour on the Wednesday and Thursday before
the tournament. However, additional days can be arranged at the request of each club. London has an
abundance of training grounds dotted all over and near amazing locations, such as Regent’s Park. We will be
working with local rugby teams to secure training grounds near Millwall, Hackney Marshes, and Old Street
(City of London), which are all quite central and under 30 minutes on public transport. With six pitches,
and the event management expertise of our committee and partners, we are confident in our ability to
efficiently accommodate the estimated 132 games required for the tournament, with an additional two
hours of contingency factored in.*
*This is based on modelling involving 48 teams, at two game/day including all finals, at London 2018. Should there be more than this, we can set
up contingency pitches at nearby grounds that are within walking distance of Memorial Park. We would work in consultation with IGR, the RFU and
Newham Council to decide the best means of accommodating this.
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opening ceremony
The opening ceremony will be held in The Roundhouse in trendy Camden. This is a 150-year old
Victorian train shed which has been converted into a creative and innovative event space showcasing
world-renowned talent such as David Bowie, Elton John, the Rolling Stones, Blondie, the Ramones,
and Pink Floyd. This will be the ideal setting for a unique and extremely entertaining show, put on
by the Kings Cross Steelers, the likes of which Bingham has never seen. We will be leveraging the
breadth and talent of the members of our club, as seen in previous shows, along with members of
the London gay community. We will hold the Opening Ceremony in the afternoon, rather than the
evening, as per previous Bingham Cups. We want to make sure all players and supporters can enjoy
the pageantry of the Opening Ceremony without worrying about being up too late the night before
games begin.
Closing ceremony
The Closing Ceremony will be held in Pulse nightclub in central London, the regular home of the
famous gay club night XXL. This is another fabulously atmospheric venue, located under London’s
historic railway arches, delivering a modern venue and club experience in a truly historic setting. We
have a fantastic relationship with the venue managers which will allow us to transform the space into
a celebration of the Bingham Cup and our international rugby movement and offer some show-stopping entertainment to conclude the tournament.
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TOURNAMENT TIMINGS
The tournament will be held on the week of 25 June – 1 July, 2018, with the actual playing days
on 29 June - 1 July. We’ve chosen these dates to provide participants the very best London summer
experience, from weather, tourism, availability of university accommodation and our ability to
provide a unique LGBT experience.
This is an ideal time to visit London and to play rugby. The temperature will average at approximately
20°C/68°F with just enough moisture to allow for pitches to be firm and springy underfoot.
The timing of the tournament will also coincide with Pride in London 2018, which is expected to
be held the weekend just prior to our proposed playing days. Pride in London is one of the biggest
events of the year, and we will work with the organisers to forge links between their events and
ours to fully engage with the wider LGBT community and maximise exposure and support for the
Bingham Cup. In 2016, over 1,000,000 people attended the various Pride in London events, so it
also offers you the perfect opportunity to arrive in London a few days early and get involved in one
of the biggest celebrations in the world.
TRANSPORTATION
As well as enjoying a first class tournament, we want our participants to enjoy the freedom of
getting out and exploring London’s great attractions during their time off the pitch. Therefore,
we have included in the registration price a week-long (7 day), unlimited travel pass for London’s
comprehensive, 24-hour public transport network.
Not only will this allow you access to all of London’s attractions, but, with five lines running into
Memorial Park’s local station and trains running every minute, it will also allow players and the
supporters the flexibility to come and go as they please between the campus accommodation, the
pitches, and central London.
MEDICAL
As well as enjoying a first class tournament, London 2018 recognises that the provision of quick
medical attention is important in any rugby playing situation. We will provide first aid assistance for
minor injuries, on-site physiotherapists and emergency medical officers, as well as transportation
to advanced medical facilities, if required.
NEAREST MEDICAL CENTRE:
Royal London Hospital
FIRST AID PROVIDERS:
First Aid Cover Ltd.
(Two paramedics, two emergency nurses, two emergency medical technicians, and six first
responders providing pitchside coverage).
AMBULANCE SERVICE PROVIDER:
First Aid Cover Ltd.
(Two ambulances on site and on standby for the duration of the tournament).
PHYSIOTHERAPY, MASSAGE THERAPY & STRAPPING PROVIDER:
The British School of Osteopathy
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EMERGENCY CARE
Importantly, the United Kingdom has bilateral health agreements with many countries, such as
Australia, New Zealand, and neighbouring European nations, providing a vast number of Bingham
players with free health care. If your country does not have the agreement in place and you find
yourself in need of hospital treatment, the UK National Health Service provides emergency
treatment free at the point of access. Any person entering the UK is entitled to free emergency
care in primary care and in emergency room/accident and emergency ward only, ensuring care for
all Bingham players.
However, any treatment needed in other parts of the hospital incur a fee. For example if you break
a bone and it just needs a cast, you will be treated for free. If it needs an operation to set the
bone, you will incur the cost of the surgery and subsequent hospital stay. This cost will need to be
covered by your insurance. All players participating in the 2018 Bingham Cup must have insurance
and will need to provide proof of insurance at registration.
For a list of countries with bilateral health agreements with the UK, please refer to Appendix C.
TRAVELLING WITH HIV
There are no restrictions for people entering the UK who are HIV+. People entering the country
are advised to ensure they have all necessary medication and full insurance coverage for their
treatment. HIV treatment is not covered under emergency treatment agreements for non-UK
citizens and can be expensive.
SECURITY
24-hour onsite security will be provided by Churchill Security Ltd. In addition, the Metropolitan
Police service will be onsite during tournament play.
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2018 bingham cup
A WEEK OF FUN IN LONDON
PROPOSED SCHEDULE DURING BINGHAM CUP
PRIDE WEEKEND
SATURDAY, 23 JUNE: PRIDE IN LONDON PARADE AND FESTIVAL
Represent the Bingham Cup and show your club colours as part of one of the world’s biggest Pride parades,
or just spectate and take in the sights at the parade and the performances in Trafalgar Square.
SUNDAY, 24 JUNE: PRIDE IN THE PARK
After a busy Pride day, keep the party going at the annual Pride in the Park mini-festival. Chill out and take
in the music or dance the day away!
MONDAY, 25 JUNE
Morning:
Recover from the weekend’s festivities with one of a selection of fun, organised day trips to top
local attractions and areas, including:
•
•
•
•
Harry Potter Studios Tour in Leavesden
Stonehenge and the Roman town of Bath
The Royal Residence, Windsor Castle
Brighton, a Victorian sea-side town with an artsy gay community
Evening:
Secret London Pub Crawl:
London has some of the oldest pubs in the world, with some of the most fascinating histories to go along
with them.
Have a pint where the pilgrims set sail on the Mayflower or eat a scotch egg where the poet Tennyson
used to frequent. This pub crawl will take you and your fellow Bingham Cup mates across some of the most
historic and unique pubs in the world. What’s even better, you can learn and socialise while also downing
some great British beers and ales. Win!
15
TUESDAY, 26 JUNE
Morning/Daytime:
Bingham Cup Tourists Takeover:
Choose from London’s top tourist attractions and visit with a band of rugby brothers. We will
work with the attractions to design unique experiences that Londoners would DIE for. And because we’ll block book, we’ll not only completely take them over but we’ll also get the best deal
too:
Twickenham Stadium and World Rugby Museum Tour:
Follow the history of the game from its origins to the modern day and get a behind-the-scenes tour of
the world’s largest rugby venue.
West End Musicals:
Including Wicked, The Book of Mormon, Kinky Boots.
Booze Cruise on the River Thames:
Enjoy the sights of the city from the water and maybe have a pint or two.
Soho Walking Tours:
Free, entertaining way to learn about this historic, colourful part of London.
Evening:
Soho Pub Crawl:
Get acquainted with London’s vibrant and fabulous gay district.
*Show dependent on what is running in the West End closer to the time. These shows are currently playing at the time
of this bid.
WEDNESDAY, 27 JUNE
Daytime:
Training pitches available
Rugby clinics for players and clubs/ “The Bingham Academy” workshop for IGR clubs’ management
and administration.
Afternoon/Evening:
Tea Dance @ Tea Time: experience the quintessential English experience Steelers style, with tea,
cucumber sandwiches, scones with clotted cream, and a few more surprises.
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THURSDAY, 28 JUNE
Morning/Daytime:
Bingham Cup Tourist Takeovers: more chances for you
to see some of London’s top sights and attractions with a
group of rugby brothers.
Afternoon/Evening:
OPENING CEREMONY start 5:00p.m.
Opening Ceremony After-Party:
For those who don’t have an early start to play matches
the next morning, we have an after-party for you to keep
the evening alive.
FRIDAY, 29 JUNE
BINGHAM CUP GAME DAY 1
Evening bar events for players and supporters
SATURDAY, 30 JUNE
BINGHAM CUP GAME DAY 2
Evening bar events for players and supporters
SUNDAY, I JULY
BINGHAM CUP FINALS DAY
CLOSING CEREMONY:
Bringing an official curtain down on a week of fun
and rugby, the closing ceremony will be a show
and a party to remember.
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IGR Members and Supporters
Thursday, 28 July 2016
Andrew McDowell
Memorial Park, West Ham
London, E15 3BP
A Lette r From an Amer ic an
We rebear in Lo n d o n
Fellow IGR Members,
After playing in five Bingham Cups, I’ve made some good and long-lasting friendships. Having
first played for the Barbarians in New York Bingham in 2006 to playing in the most recent
Nashville tournament, I’m excited to be involved with this bid and hopefully give back to
Bingham what it has given to me over the years. Although I’m a Bostonian boy at heart, I’ve
lived in London for over eight years and it has grown to become my home.
Even after all my time here in London, I can honestly say I am not bored and I am nowhere near
finished with this city, and that’s down to the abundance of culture, history, food, theatre, art,
and ease of access to Europe, amongst many, many other things.
Let’s just pause for a moment and appreciate something: London has over 2000 years of history.
That alone makes it one of those most interesting cities worldwide. It is a vibrant, captivating,
and, sometimes, a curmudgeonly ol’ witch of a city, but, damn, do I love her! The city fills me
with so much energy and joy. There would be so much to see and experience, before, during,
and after the tournament, and let me tell you, you’ll want to experience it, feel it, touch it, smell
it, endure it.
Now, being a stereotypical American, history is not one of my strong suits, but that’s not to say
I don’t love it! I mean, the Tower of London is just too damned pretty and Lord knows I love
taking a selfie in front of Buckingham Palace or Westminster Abbey.
Now many of you may have already visited London and you’ve seen a lot of what the typical
tourist would see when they come to London. The typical Londoner, however, has their own
version of being a tourist in their own city. For the sake of simplicity let’s just call it: The
Londoner’s London!
There are many hidden gems in London that most tourists don’t know about, and let me tell you
this list is not exhaustive, but babes, let me give you a dozen can’t-miss attractions in London (
or two fist-fulls and then some)!
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Hampstead Heath
THE LONDONERS LONDON
The park itself is beautiful, but during the summer, the gays frolic to the men’s pond at Hampstead
Heath. It might not be Fire Island or Provincetown, but it might as well be! Have a picnic, pop some
champers, get some sun, and swim in the spring-fed pond. Then, on the way home, stop at one of the
many gastropubs for a pint or three.
Twickenham World Rugby Museum
Well, England is the birthplace of rugby, so you might as
well check out the museum while you’re here too. You
are coming for the rugby, after all!
Columbia Road Flower Market
Hampstead Heath Mens Pond
You might think this is just a flower market but it’s far
more than that. It is one of the few streets in the country
composed of sixty independent shops. Small art galleries
sit next to cupcake shops, vintage clothes stores, English
and Italian delicatessens, garden stores, and antique
shops. There is also a wealth of great pubs, cafes, and
restaurants. You can spend a great afternoon just walking
around and seeing how Londoners shop and live.
Gordon’s Wine Bar
London’s oldest wine bar (est. 1890), is tucked
away underground near Embankment Station. Take
a break from Trafalgar Square and get some wine
and cheese at this very cool, cavernous wine bar.
Royal Naval College, Greenwich
Royal Naval College, Greenwich
One of my favourite things to do is take one of the Thames
Clippers from Westminster or the Tower of London and
go to Greenwich and walk around the old Royal Naval
College. Remember that scene in the “Thor: Dark World”
where hot Chris Hemsworth (Thor) is fighting to save me,
err, I mean, the world? Yeah, that. Oh and see the beauty
of Greenwich and the Prime Meridian date line (obvs).
Churchill War Rooms
One of five branches of the Imperial War Museum, this underground space in Whitehall is where
Churchill ran the war effort during WW2. This is a cool bit of history and you can get a real sense
of living through the Blitz while getting to know good ol’ Churchill himself.
Mayflower Pub
For my American friends, you’ll want to have a pint here and just get a sense of what it might have been
like to board the Mayflower over to the US. Yeah, the pub is older than our country. CRAZY!
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Street Feast
ATTENTION ALL FOODIES! Shoreditch is our [INSERT YOUR LOCAL HIPSTER AREA], with loads of
cool bars, shops and iconic characters. Start your night out by getting some good grub in you by trying
an assortment of food fusions at any number of stalls and pop-ups at the summertime eating tradition.
You’ll be like a five-year-old girl in a candystore! Well, more so than usual...
Wimbledon
There’s not much of an introduction needed really. Just check
it out and see where the fierce Serena Williams kicks butt and
takes names while doing it.
Guildhall
Most of you will be walking around St. Paul’s Cathedral or checking
out the London Museum. So you should stop by this medieval
masterpiece. Built in 1441, it is another amazing architectural site
to behold, plunked right in the heart of the old financial district.
The Mayflower
Temple Church
Any Dan Brown fans? Well, this cool church is where the Knights
Templar met for the odd tea or pint. It’s a beautiful church tucked
away on Fleet Street in the City of London. Go get knighted!
Tate Modern Switch House
This is the newly built extension of the world famous Tate
Modern. The Herzog & de Meuron-designed building alone is
a sight to see, nevermind the assortment of art inside. It also
makes for a great stop along the Thames when you’re checking
out Tower Bridge or Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre.
Guildhall
Befitting any big world class city, London lives and parties day and night. Thank goodness for our
24-hour transport system because I’d be lost without it as I stumble out of XXL on a Saturday night …
make that Sunday morning. London has an easy underground transport system (aka Subway/Metro)
with such a colourful and pretty tube map. You’ll want to frame it! Of course, it’s also a walkable city or
just take a bus, bike, train, or even a boat ride on the River Thames! Take your pick!
Now, as the famous British songstress Dame Shirley Bassey sang, “HEY BIG SPENDER!
Spend a little time with me” …IN LONDON!!! Support our bid.
You know you want to!
Yours in rugby,
Andrew McDowell
2018 London Bingham Cup Bid Committee, Logistics Lead
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holidays around bingham
EXTENDING YOUR STAY
We understand that for many Bingham Cup participants, coming to the tournament is a launch pad
for holidays before and after the big event. While we’d love to have you stay in London as long as
possible, we understand that you’ll need to move on sooner or later.
Whether you want to spend all your holiday in London (there’s lots to see and do!), have a mini-break
to elsewhere in the United Kingdom, or a weekend getaway to Europe, London is a major regional
and international travel hub, with numerous easy connections to the rest of the United Kingdom,
Europe, and beyond. With its bus coaches to the spectacular highlands of Scotland, the Eurostar to
Paris (in just 2 hours), or nipping on one of the many low-cost air carriers based in one of five London
airports (Ryanair, Easyjet, Flybe, Monarch Airlines, Thomas Cook), you will find a direct and affordable
connection from our city, whatever your budget.
We will provide help and advice to tailor an itinerary to meet your needs. We will provide lists of
London’s top attractions and tailored walking tours to help you get the most of you trip to London,
and suggested itineraries to suit any European holiday, whether you’re looking for rugged scenery,
history, action, culture, beaches, or nightlife!
21
BRIGHTON AND ENGLAND’S SOUTH COAST
Within an hour of London by train is the vibrant and eclectic city of
Brighton, a traditional Victorian seaside resort long known as a cultural
centre for the gay community. Visit the famously stunning Royal Pavilion,
play on the historic Brighton Pier, and eat traditional fish and chips on the
pebble beach for a quintessential English day by the sea!
STONEHENGE & SALISBURY
Less than two hours by car from London, take a trip into prehistory at
the legendary and mysterious monument of Stonehenge. The nearby
cathedral town of Salisbury offers a glimpse into our more recent history
with its beautiful cathedral, housing an original copy of the Magna Carta.
OXFORD, THE COTSWOLDS AND BATH
Also less than two hours from London, Oxford offers such a breath-taking range
of architectural beauty. It has become known as the “City of Dreaming Spires.”
Marvel at the tranquil and majestic colleges that form Oxford University, visit the
world-famous Bodleian Library, or punt along the river to make the most of this
beautiful city.
Nearby, visit the Cotswolds to enjoy idyllic English countryside, quintessentially
quaint villages and market towns, and fabulous stately homes. For those seeking
more active holidays, the Cotswolds are also home to almost 5,000 km of public
paths and rights of way making for an ideal destination to explore on foot.
A little further south, visit the UNESCO World Heritage town of Bath and it’s beautiful city centre. A truly unique destination in the UK, it sits on a natural hot spring
and the original Roman baths and spas can still be enjoyed. A fantastic location for
boutique shopping and dining, Bath offers a true taste of luxury in a fairy tale setting.
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SCOTLAND AND THE HIGHLANDS
Just a short hop north is wild and rugged Scotland. Spend
a few days touring the beautiful old town of Edinburgh,
the shops and bars of Glasgow, and the awe-inspiring
majesty and mystery of the Highlands.
IRELAND AND THE WILD ATLANTIC WAY
Only a short flight away, experience the warm and friendly welcome
of the Irish. Sample the world’s best Guinness in the literary capital of
Dublin or take all your senses on tour in Ireland’s Atlantic coast which
offers an incredible range of sights, scenery, traditional music, and
culinary delights.
CONTINENTAL EUROPE
With numerous affordable flights each day to hundreds of destinations across Europe, London is the perfect base for your European adventures.
Within two hours, visit the boulevards and galleries of romantic Paris, bike the canals of Amsterdam, or let your hair down in Berlin’s exciting nightlife.
Within three hours, discover history on every street corner in Rome, Florence and Venice,
experience the lively buzz of Barcelona and Madrid, or chill out on the Mediterranean on
France’s south coast.
And that is just a taste of what Europe has to offer! Laid-back Scandinavia, picturesque Prague,
trendy Budapest, historic Krakow, the Alps, the buzz of Ibiza, or even King’s Landing (…well,
apparently it’s actually called Dubrovnik!) are all directly connected to London and are just
a short flight away. By coming to London and using it as a holiday base, the possibilities are
limited only to your imagination.
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LONDON LOGISTICS
KEY THINGS TO KNOW
AFFORDABLE, CAMPUS STYLE ACCOMMODATION: high quality student
accommodation through Queen Mary University in East Central London for £55
($72/€66)/night; 20-minute journey, via public transportation, to tournament grounds
and city centre.
EASY TO GET TO, EASY TO GET AWAY: five international airports with 350 direct
international connections; road and rail connections within the UK and mainland
Europe; five low-cost carriers based in London airports.
SUPERB PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION: one of the most comprehensive public
transportation networks, operating 24-hours a day; weeklong (7 day) unlimited travel
pass included as part of participants’ registration package.
24
GETTING TO LONDON BY AIR
London is a global air travel hub and is the primary international gateway to Europe. There are
more direct flights from London to non-European destinations than any other European city.
As a result, hosting the Bingham Cup in London will minimise the effort and cost involved in
international travel for a large number of participating teams.
The following table illustrates approximate travel times from regions outside Great Britain with
Bingham Cup participating teams:
REGION TRAVEL TIME EUROPE 1 - 2.5 hours
NORTHEASTERN USA/EASTERN CANADA
6 - 8.5 hours
SOUTH AFRICA
11 hours
SOUTHEASTERN AND MIDWESTERN USA
9 - 12 hours Amsterdam, Barcelona, Belfast, Berlin, Brussels, Cologne, Copenhagen, Dublin,
Lisbon, Lyons, Madrid, Montpellier, Munich, Paris, Rome, Stockholm, Toulouse
Boston, Montreal, New York, Ottawa, Philadelphia, Toronto, Washington
Johannesburg
Atlanta, Charleston, Charlotte, Chicago, Columbus,
Madison, Minneapolis, Nashville, St. Louis
SOUTH AMERICA
Buenos Aires
14 hours
SOUTHWESTERN AND WESTERN USA
Dallas, Denver, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Portland,
San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle
AUSTRALIA/NEW ZEALAND
Auckland, Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney
13 - 15 hours
22 - 24 hours
London’s airports are also directly connected to the city centre via convenient rail links.
This map illustrates travel times from airports to London terminals.
25
GETTING TO LONDON BY ROAD
AND RAIL
London is connected extensively to the rest of Great Britain via motorway with the M1, M4,
and M40 connecting London with cities to the north and west.
Furthermore, rail links from Waterloo, Victoria, Euston, Kings Cross, and St. Pancras
connect London via rail to the rest of Great Britain with travel times from one to four hours
connecting all major cities. In addition, Eurostar provides direct rail access to continental
Europe, connecting to Brussels and Paris in just over two hours.
GETTING AROUND LONDON
London is a 24-hour metropolis, supported by one of the most comprehensive public transport
systems in the world.
The London Underground provides primary method of transportation for many Londoners and
is an ideal means of getting around for visitors. Two-hundred and seventy stations are located
throughout London with underground trains running up to every two minutes.
Using the London Underground is the fastest, and most affordable way to get between the
campus accommodation and the tournament venue, as well as the city centre where the main
social events will be held.
To facilitate guests’ ease of transport around the city, a week-long pass for London Underground
(and all London buses for good measure!) will be provided to all Bingham Cup attendees as part
of their registration package.
26
ACCOMMODATION
HOUSING US TOGETHER ON CAMPUS
Because of the positive feedback regarding accommodation options offered in Dublin and Nashville,
the Kings Cross Steelers have invested in the option of student accommodation, offering that close
community feel and enabling all participants to mingle with each other with ease. The campus accommodation for players and supporters during the tournament will be at Queen Mary University in East
Central London. It is under a 20-minute journey, door to door, from the players’ residences on campus,
to the playing fields at Memorial Park, with an easy five minute train ride.
The accommodation will consist of single ensuite rooms so that every guest will have their own bedroom, toilet, and shower, providing comfort, privacy and ease of access. Rooms will be contained
within apartments ranging in size from four to nine bedrooms with a shared kitchen and dining area,
enabling a friendly, social element. WiFi will be available to all guests. The university campus has many
convenient amenities including laundry, grocery, and banking services. Pricing for the campus accommodation (including breakfast) will be approximately £55 ($72/€66)/night.
For those who would prefer to stay in a hotel, there are a number of options within 15 minutes of the
tournament grounds. Stratford and Canary Wharf are just a few minutes travel away and boast hotels
from global brands such as Hilton, Marriott, Radisson, Travelodge, and Holiday Inn. We will work with
these chains to secure favourable rates for Bingham Cup guests who would prefer the hotel option.
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budget & finance
KEY THINGS TO KNOW
LOW REGISTRATION FEE (EARLY BIRD)
£100 ($131/ €120) Registration for Players
£90 ($118/ €107) Registration for Supporters
‘MAXIMUM PARTICIPATION’ SUBSIDY MODEL
One Free player registration for every 10 players registered during Early Bird Registration
REGISTRATION FEES1
We understand that taking a touring party overseas costs a great deal of money and therefore we aim
to maximise participation by working to minimise the financial impact upon players. We have set the
baseline early registration fees at £100 for players and £90 for supporters.
In addition to a low early registration fee, we will also implement a subsidy model to provide one free
place for every 10 players registered for the tournament during early bird registration.
PLAYER REGISTRATION
Early Bird Standard Registration Late Registration £100 ($131/€120)2
£120 ($157/€144)
£150 ($197/€180)
‘Maximum Participation’ subsidy model
One free player registration for every 10 players registered during early bird registration period.
SUPPORTER REGISTRATION
Early Bird Standard Registration Late Registration £90 ($118/€107)
£110 ($144/€132)
£130 ($170/€156)
REGISTRATION SCHEDULE
Early Bird Standard Registration Late Registration 1 October - 31 December 2017
1 January - 30 April 2018
1 May - 22 June 2018
1. Not including IGR levy for players. However, this will be included in the total price at the time of registration, once the levy has been confirmed
with IGR. IGR has indicated that for 2018 this will be £5. Similarly, the current proposed fees also do not include processing fees.
2. Registration fees subject to foreign exchange rates at the time of registration. As a result, we have provided indicative fees for USD & EUR.
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REGISTRATION COVERS
FOR PLAYERS AND SUPPORTERS
•
Entry to the tournament grounds
•
Opening and Closing Ceremonies
•
Player/Supporter gift bags
•
Lunches for the 3 tournament days
•
Weekly (7 day) travel pass for underground (i.e metro), buses and Overground transportation
In order to deliver this low cost tournament, but make it sustainable for attendees, we
have leveraged our commercial relationships in London to allow us to deliver a high
quality tournament at a competitive price.
We have already secured cash sponsorship worth £30,000 from our long-time club
supporter and commercial partner, XXL. In addition to negotiating free access to XXL’s venue for
our Closing Ceremony, we have also obtained the backing of the British School of Osteopathy
who will provide complimentary treatment and strapping during the tournament.
Additionally, as a long standing member of East London Community Sports Association (trustees
for Memorial Park), we will enjoy unfettered access to the tournament venue free of charge.
Therefore, we believe that we are well placed to deliver a high qualit-sustainable tournament at
a highly competitive price
For a full detailed budget, please see Appendix A.
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YOUR HOSTS
The Kings Cross Steelers were the world’s first
rugby club aimed primarily at gay and bisexual men
who had a love for and desire to play competitive
rugby. The passion for rugby remains to this day, as
we attract players of varied background, age, and
rugby experience to create a true band of brothers.
The Steelers see hosting the Bingham Cup in
2018 as an opportunity to celebrate an important
milestone in our community and share our passion
and camaraderie with you. We truly believe
we can give you a welcome like no other club.
Having been founded in 1995 and playing regular league rugby since 1999, the Steelers are now an
established and respected member of the Essex league. We have an incredible relationship with the
East London Community Sports Association (ELCSA), the charity that owns and manages our modern
home grounds, Memorial Park. This relationship continues to provide many great benefits, including
full access and control over the grounds where the Bingham Cup will be held in order to shape the best
tournament for you as players and supporters.
With our deep bench of experience and connections to our local community, we believe we have
much to offer you. We are committed to working closely with the IGR, its members and participants to
ensure we can help to make your 2018 Bingham experience the best it can be.
STEELERS BY NUMBERS
FOUNDED: 1995
MEMBERS:252
- PLAYERS210
- SUPPORTERS42
TEAMS:
Four teams and alumni team
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pathway to rugby
The Steelers have recently gone through a period of tremendous growth and change.
We took two squads to Sydney in 2014 and doubled this to four in Nashville this year,
with huge growth in numbers due to our Pathway to Rugby programme, which is in line
with the Rugby Football Union’s Return to Rugby initiative. Pathway to Rugby gained
incredible traction among London’s LGBT community and the programme means the
Steelers are bringing more new adult players to rugby than any other organisation in the
UK. Sharing the lessons and learnings of this fantastic recruitment and player development
programme is a key ambition of our London 2018 legacy (see Legacy section on page 39).
Our engagement with the wider community goes even further. We have positive working
relationships with other gay and inclusive sports teams and organisations, as evidenced
by the letters of endorsement included in Appendix B. We want to bring you to London
to meet not just the Steelers but the entirety of the city’s LGBT community.
hasn’t bingham been to london?
In 2004, the Steelers hosted the second Bingham Cup, a small, invitational tournament with
only 20 clubs represented in various numbers. Since then, IGR has tripled in size and, as
seen in Nashville, the level of play has increased exponentially. This is a fantastic testament
to the strength and vibrancy of our community, to which we are immensely proud to have
contributed in those early days. Undoubtedly a whole new generation of rugby players have
joined our community since then, and would enjoy a big unique city Bingham Cup experience.
Moreover, for those who did participate in 2004, we believe they will enjoy the chance to
return and experience a bigger, more professional, contemporary Bingham Cup in London.
As IGR has grown, so have the tournaments in lockstep, with each one bigger than the
last. We believe that hosting one of the biggest amateur sporting events in the world to
the standard expected by participants requires the host club and city to have the best
infrastructure, amenities, organisational experience and capabilities. The Steelers feel we
have this, and is a particular strength of our bid.
In light of recent world events, we feel gathering international rugby players and supporters
in London will shine a light on your stories, those of gay rugby clubs across the world and
gay rugby as a phenomenal positive influence on so many lives. London is the home to more
than 200 international media outlets, providing an unprecedented opportunity to highlight
and advance our mutual values, goals and ambitions .
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host relationships
TOURNAMENT PARTNERS
RUGBY FOOTBALL UNION
The Rugby Football Union is the national governing body of grassroots and elite rugby in England.
The Bid Committee has secured commitments from the organisation’s Rugby Development Office and Events and Competitions team (which also plans and delivers matches at Twickenham
Stadium, the largest dedicated rugby stadium in the world, and the 2015 Rugby World Cup) to
work with the Steelers and IGR to plan and deliver the 2018 Bingham Cup to a high, professional standard worthy of the England squad itself.
LONDON SOCIETY OF RFU REFEREES
The London Society of Rugby Football Union Referees was founded in 1889 by the then
Chairman and President of the RFU to provide match officials for club games occurring
within the London area. The society still aims to provide quality, professional referees, and are
committed to continually developing and enhancing the skills of referees as well as motivating
and coaching them to become true ambassadors of the game. The London Society is recognised
as the pre-eminent society in the United Kingdom and is respected across the world.
In addition to providing a corps of professional and high quality (Division 1 and above level)
referees as needed for a London 2018 Bingham Cup tournament, they can also provide a
framework for structured, fair means of resolving referee conflicts and disputes.
BRITISH SCHOOL OF OSTEOPATHY
The British School of Osteopathy (BSO) is the largest and the oldest osteopathic school in the
UK, founded in 1917 to provide undergraduate and postgraduate osteopathy training. They are
respected throughout the world for providing excellence in healthcare, education, and research.
The BSO has endorsed our bid for the Bingham Cup and as offered to provide the 2018 London
Bingham Cup with complimentary physiotherapists and strapping for our participants.
COMMERCIAL PARTNERS
XXL
This is one of the premier gay club nights in the London for over 15 years. Though it is the largest and
longest-running “bear” weekly club night in the UK and the world, it is open, and frequented, by all
sorts of men. XXL is based at Pulse in London’s Southwark district.
As an existing sponsor of the Kings Cross Steelers RFC, XXL has confirmed its endorsement and early
commercial support for London’s 2018 Bingham Cup bid, including provision of the closing party
venue as well as £30,000.00 cash sponsorship.
STONEGATE PUB COMPANY
Stonegate Pub Company is one of the largest pub groups in the UK and operates some of the
most iconic gay bars and clubs in London, including Rupert Street Bar, Admiral Duncan, the
Duke of Wellington, the Kings Arms, and the Two Brewers.
We are also in negotiations with a number of other potential commercial partners, including
Paddy Power, Land Rover, and Diageo, which we hope to formalise once a London 2018 bid
is secured.
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GOVERNMENT PARTNERS
DEPARTMENT FOR CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT
DCMS aims to help make Britain the world’s most creative and exciting place to live, visit and do
business. They help communities grow and thrive by investing in the arts and sport, among other
areas. They are charged with developing and enacting sport policy and investment, including
events such as the 2018 Bingham Cup in London. They have endorsed our bid.
MAYOR OF LONDONS OFFICE
The office of the newly-elected Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has endorsed our bid to bring
the 2018 Bingham Cup to London. The Mayor of London’s Office is responsible for sustaining
the city’s status as the home of world class sport by actively supporting and hosting high profile
sporting events such as the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the 2015 Rugby World Cup,
and the 2017 IAAF World Athletic Championships.
NEWHAM BOROUGH COUNCIL
Newham London Borough Council is the local government which oversees the area in which
Memorial Park sits. They have endorsed our bid.
CHARITY PARTNERS
DIVERSITY ROLE MODELS
Diversity Role Models is a UK charity which tackles homophobic, biphobic and transphobic
bullying, primarily in UK schools. Through volunteer role models, they work with schools to
share positive, engaging stories to help address the misuse of language and break down negative
stereotypes that underpin bullying behaviour.
TERRENCE HIGGINS TRUST
The Terrence Higgins Trust is the UK’s leading HIV and sexual health charity. It aims to engage
and support communities affected most by HIV and sexual ill-health.
THE BEN COHEN STANDUP FOUNDATION
Founded by former professional rugby player Ben Cohen, the Ben Cohen StandUp Foundation
aims to raise awareness of the long-term, damaging effects of homophobia and transphobia in
sport and bullying by raising funds to support those doing real-world work to eradicate bullying.
STONEWALL UK
Stonewall UK is one of the UK’s and Europe’s largest LGBT rights organisations, advocating for
equality at home, school and work. The organisation has endorsed our bid to host the 2018
London Bingham Cup.
TOURISM PARTNERS
PRIDE IN LONDON
The organisers of the UK’s largest LGBT event has endorsed our bid to host the 2018 London
Bingham Cup. The community interest company has grown Pride in London into one of the
city’s three largest one-day events. In addition to organisational support, they have pledged to
support us through commercial introductions as well as providing volunteers from their bank
of volunteers.
33
ORGANISATIONAL FRAMEWORK
EVENT GOVERNANCE
The 2018 Bingham Cup in London will operate under the parent organisation of the Kings
Cross Steelers Rugby Football Club. This allows the event to be covered by the Rugby Football
Union, which governs rugby in England. Finances will be kept in a separate bank account
to differentiate from the parent organisation.
GOVERNING UNION AND TOURNAMENT GOVERNANCE
The 2018 Bingham Cup in London will fall under the governance of the Rugby Football
Union, the Essex League Rugby Football Union, and the London Society of Referees.
COMMITTEE STRUCTURE
The London 2018 Bingham Cup Bid Committee and the membership of the Kings Cross Steelers
include a huge depth of experience in tournament and event project management, delivery,
promotion, and sponsorship. Our collective experience includes successfully organising the
2012 Bingham Cup in Manchester, a 55,000-person rally for Barack Obama, and Atlanta
Pride, as well as members who have worked on mass participation productions such as
the Opening Ceremony of the 2012 Olympic Games.
The Steelers also organise and deliver a successful and profitable annual fundraising event at
London superclub Heaven. The May 2016 show was organised in three months and had nearly half
the club planning or performing to a sold-out event of nearly 1000 people.
DECISION-MAKING
The London 2018 Bingham Cup Bid Committee was assembled to create the most effective
experience for the players and supporters attending the event. Each member of the committee will
vote on the execution of tasks impacting the event and the host organisation.
RESPONSIBILITIES
The Chairman of the London 2018 Bingham Cup Bid Committee will be the direct liaison to the
IGR Board and will be responsible for consistent monthly communication to the IGR Board and
IGR member clubs, keeping all constituents informed in a timely fashion to ensure the success
of the tournament and associated events. The Chairman is responsible for the effectiveness and
productivity of the London 2018 Bingham Cup Bid Committee and reports to the Kings Cross
Steelers Committee. It is the responsibilIty of the Chairman and the bid committee, as a whole, to
fulfill all aspects of this bid in a timely manner.
34
leadership
CHRISTOPHER KANG
2018 London Bingham Cup Bid Committee Chairman
POSITION: 1ST XV CENTRE
With nearly eight years’ experience working in
communications and events across the food and drink, retail,
charity, and news media sectors, Christopher currently manages communications for all International New York Times
and New York Times conferences outside of America. Christopher has played for the Kings Cross Steelers since 2013,
having played for clubs in Canada and Germany in his nearly
20 year amateur playing career. Christopher also manages
communications for the Kings Cross Steelers, where he led
PR efforts on the club’s 20th anniversary with pieces in CNN,
The Independent, London Live, and The Evening Standard.
He has been to two Bingham Cups
ORIGIN: CANADA
TIME IN LONDON: 8 YEARS
PLAYING RUGBY SINCE: 1997
BUCK COOKE
2018 London Bingham Cup Bid Committee, Marketing Lead
POSITION: SUPPORTER
Buck works as Associate Dean of Student Leadership at
Richmond University, the American International University
in London, making use of 20 years of event planning in
a variety of settings. His prior work experience includes
planning meetings, conferences, concerts, and festivals, most
notably a three and a half year stint as Executive Director of
the Atlanta Pride Committee, which involved supervising
hundreds of volunteers, fundraising over $700,000.00 (US)
annually, and creating festival and year-round programming
for the LGBT community in the southeastern United States.
The annual Atlanta Pride Festival is that city’s largest festival
and parade with over 250,000 attendees each year. While he
worked at Georgia Tech, Buck helped plan a rally for President
Barack Obama with over 55,000 attendees in the heart of the
campus. He moved to London in 2015 and joined the Steelers
four months ago.
ORIGIN: USA
TIME IN LONDON: 1 YEAR
35
DREW MCDOWELL
2018 London Bingham Cup Bid Committee, Logistics Lead
POSITION: 1ST XV CENTRE
Fifteen years ago, Drew began playing rugby while he
was a student at Bryant University in Rhode Island and he
continues to love the sport and the organising required
for a club to be successful, both on and off the pitch. He
works in London as an operational risk manager for an
asset management company and joined the Steelers shortly
after relocating to London. Drew enjoys putting his project
management skills to work for the Steelers, whether it’s
organising documents and deliverables, planning social
events, or serving as club captain for two years leading up to
the Sydney Bingham Cup. He organised several tours for the
Steelers, including the club’s largest tour group to Nashville
for the most recent Bingham Cup, and helped organise the
largest collegiate rugby tournament in the United States,
the Beast of the East, when Drew played for the Providence
Rugby Football Club. He also helps plan and execute the
Steelers’ annual fundraiser at Heaven. This year, the event
sold out once again, drawing more than 1000 spectators and
involved 70 club members and performers and participants.
ORIGIN: USA
TIME IN LONDON: 8 .5 YEARS
PLAYING SINCE: 2001
WAYNE RICHARDS
2018 London Bingham Cup Bid Committee, Sponsorship Lead
POSITION: 1ST XV PROP
Wayne moved to London in 2002 to begin his career with the
London Fire Brigade. With working unusual and long hours, he
did well to be an active member of the playing squad for the
Steelers. He has worked for many years developing bonds with
sponsors who are proud to support the Kings Cross Steelers,
leading to the establishment of Ruggercub, a monthly fundraiser for the club at the Two Brewers. Because of the relationship
Wayne built with the parent company, Stonegate, he has organised funding for Cardiff and Manchester rugby clubs with bars
from the Stonegate chain.
ORIGIN: ENGLAND
TIME IN LONDON: 14 YEARS
PLAYING SINCE: 1990
36
WESLEY MANSON
2018 London Bingham Cup Bid Committee, Event Co-Lead
POSITION: 1ST XV TIGHT HEAD
Wes works as a contract catering manager by day, making use
of over 15 years of professional experience in hospitality and
large event management. He has previously delivered high profile events with the Kings Cross Steelers including our 20th anniversary celebrations. He started playing rugby after he moved to
Wales and joined the Steelers four years ago, about a year after
he moved to London. He has played in a total of three Bingham
Cups.
ORIGIN: SOUTH AFRICA
TIME IN LONDON: 5 YEARS
PLAYING SINCE: 1997
COLIN SCALLY
2018 London Bingham Cup Bid Committee, Event Co-Lead
POSITION: 1ST XV FULLBACK
Colin grew up playing Gaelic Football and started playing
rugby four years ago when he joined the Steelers. He works as
a management consultant specialising in security and has five
years of professional experience in project management and
delivery with global finance and energy organisations.
ORIGIN: IRELAND
TIME IN LONDON: 6 YEARS
PLAYING SINCE: 2012
37
ALEX SMITH
Kings Cross Steelers Rugby Football Club Chairman
POSITION: 1st XV COACH
Alex is a senior project manager in banking and has served as the
ChairmanoftheKingsCrossSteelersfortwoyears.Alex’sprevious
club, the ManchesterSpartans, hosted the Bingham Cup in 2012,
when he served as the Tournament Director. Manchester was
the largest Bingham Cup to date at that time, with over 1,200
players and supporters in attendance, and was a tremendous
success. He looks forward to bringing that experience and learning to the Steelers’ bid to host the tournament in London in
2018, with a particular focus on how to get the rugby right for
all the players.
ORIGIN: SCOTLAND
TIME IN LONDON: 4 YEARS
PLAYING SINCE: 1992
TIMOTHY SULLIVAN
2018 London Bingham Cup Bid Committee, President
POSITION: SUPPORTER
When he moved to London 30 years ago, Timothy fell in
love with the energy and vitality of the city. London offered
him hope, fun and excitement, and it hasn’t disappointed
him yet. Timothy cares for dementia patients in a nursing
home for his occupation, but when he is not there, rugby
is where you will find him. His rugby playing days ended
when he broke his back during University, requiring a spinal
fusion. That did not diminish his love for the game, however. He began following the Steelers in 2001 and joined the
club two years later. Timothy served the club as Chairman
for six years, among other leadership roles he possessed
over the years. The Steelers have taught him all that is
great about rugby and their rugby brotherhood: camaraderie, loyalty, teamwork, and, most importantly, friendship.
ORIGIN: ZIMBABWE
TIME IN LONDON: 30 YEARS
38
TIM THORNTON
2018 London Bingham Cup Bid Committee, Finance Chair
POSITION: SUPPORTER
Tim was born in Manchester and his first experience of the
gay rugby world was with the Manchester Village Spartans,
where he spent five years as both a player and supporter
before moving to London in 2012 to pursue a career in
Forensic Accounting. Tim has been a playing and supporting
member of the Kings Cross Steelers since he moved to
London. Also, whilst at the Village Spartans, Tim acted as
treasurer and registration coordinator for the 2012 Bingham
Cup held in Manchester.
ORIGIN: ENGLAND
TIME IN LONDON: 4 YEARS
39
LEGACY
For the Steelers, a Bingham Cup in our city is more than a single event at a static point in time. It’s
about joining with our fellow IGR members push forward important goals that are central to both the
tournament itself and to our club:
1.
2.
3.
Increase diversity in sport
Strengthen gay rugby, through our experience and best practice; and,
Combat homophobia in sport.
As an English-speaking, global city with an international profile and passion for rugby, London is home
to over 200 domestic and international media bureaux and countless international businesses. A
London Bingham Cup will put an unprecedented and unmatchable spotlight on IGR, its member clubs,
and the tournament’s ideals, thereby helping to reach those goals.
THE BINGHAM ACADEMY
The Steelers are proud of our contribution to and membership in a global rugby community that now
comprises over 60 gay and inclusive clubs. Through our own history and our involvement with other
newly-formed IGR clubs, we understand both the challenges around getting a new club off the ground
and what issues more established clubs face. London 2018’s legacy is rooted in recognising this, so
our tournament will specifically run activities aimed at helping strengthen gay rugby.
Called “The Bingham Academy”, this will be an informative and interactive series of workshops on
Wednesday, 27 June. The workshops will address some of the common challenges facing IGR rugby
clubs and identify practical solutions: recruitment, fundraising, community engagement, and fostering
the next generation of talent. Targeted to club management and leadership but open to all players and
supporters, we would invite partners and experts from the RFU, policy-makers, the media, London
community groups, and all IGR clubs to share best practice and help all attendees develop tailored
solutions for their own local circumstances.
The Steelers have benefited in a similar way through
our involvement in the RFU’s Return To Rugby
initiative, which aims to encourage clubs to get
people back into rugby and was the inspiration for our
successful Pathways to Rugby programme. The idea would be
to draw on the experience, best practices, and deep community
connections of all IGR clubs to support the development,
growth, and sustainability of our member organisations.
40
APPENDICES
41
APPENDIX a
london bingham
2018 budget
42
Tournament Budget (GBP) Attendance & Income Number of Teams Players per squad Total Players Total Supporters Total Player & Supporter Fees Volunteers Non‐paying ‐ Referees / EMTs / PTs /VIPs Host Committee Total participants Notes Income Registration fees Corporate Sponsorship Merchandise General Admission Program Ads Total Income Expenditure Ambulance/EMT/Safety Awards ‐ Trophies ‐ Medals Bank Charges Banners/Lanyards Closing Ceremonies Fields Expenses ‐ Paint, Goal Posts, etc. Insurance License Fee to IGR Merchandising Inventory Tournament brochure layout/printing Participant Meals Participant Gift Bags Jersey Laundry VIP & Alice Hoagland flights and accommodation Sanitation & Cleaning Security Strapping/physio materials Transportation ‐ Tournament Venue ‐ Field Rentals Portable toilets Opening Ceremonies Referee ‐ Pay & Housing Tents ‐ Team/Referee/EMT/Merchandise Tents Water/Ice Walkie Talkie Rental Miscellaneous Costs Audio visual Website A B C D E 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 5 15 4 16 17 18 Budget 40 22 880 240 1120 100 40 20 1280 Low 33 15 495 165 660 75 30 20 785 £ £ 120,750 40,000 2,500 2,000 2,000 167,250 £ 71,160 38,000 1,473 2,000 2,000 114,633 9,995 300 ‐ 2,400 27,520 1,000 1,000 ‐ ‐ 1,500 19,200 1,500 1,400 3,500 650 5,088 5,000 36,288 ‐ 1,869 14,720 500 8,948 500 1,500 2,000 3,000 2,000 High 48 25 1200 240 1440 150 45 20 1655 155,237 45,000 3,214 2,000 2,000 207,452 9,995 12,851 300 300 ‐ ‐ 2,200 2,720 16,878 35,583 1,000 1,000 1,000 1,000 ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ 1,300 1,600 11,775 24,825 920 1,939 788 1,909 3,500 3,500 399 840 5,088 5,088 2,946 6,429 21,384 46,656 ‐ ‐ 935 2,285 9,028 19,033 300 500 7,933 10,107 350 700 1,500 1,500 1,500 2,000 1,000 3,000 2,000 2,000 Total Costs 151,378 104,017 187,364 Contingency of 10% 15,138 10,402 18,736 Net Income 734 215 1,351 43
Notes A) Participation A) Player and supporter attendance assumptions have been based on historic attendance at previous tournaments. In light of the increased cost of travel for many US clubs as a result of a European host city, registration fees which constitute the majority of the tournament's revenue will be maintained at £100 for early player registration and £90 for early supporter registration. Player Budget Low High A) Early 67% 590 332 804 B) Standard 17% 145 82 198 C) Late 17% 145 82 198 Total 100% 880 495 1,200 Supporter Budget Low High A) Early 50% 120 83 120 B) Standard 25% 60 41 60 C) Late 25% 60 41 60 Total 100% 240 165 240 Processing Player Reg, fee IGR Fee Fee Budget Low High A) Early 100.00 5.00 2.83 60,626 34,102 82,671 B) Standard 120.00 5.00 3.33 17,907 10,073 24,418 C) Late 150.00 5.00 4.08 22,372 12,584 30,507 Total 100,904 56,759 137,597 Processing Supporter IGR Fee Fee Budget Low High A) Early 90.00 5.00 2.58 11,109 7,637 11,109 B) Standard 110.00 5.00 3.08 6,785 4,664 6,785 C) Late 130.00 5.00 3.58 8,015 5,510 8,015 Total 25,908 17,812 25,908 Subsidy 10% (6,063) (3,410) (8,267) Total Registration fees 120,750 71,160 155,237 3) Printing, website layout and brochure B) Sponsorship The London Bingham Cup 2018 Bid Committee has already secured a cash sponsorship commitment of £30,000 from one of its existing partners. The Committee expects to raise further sponsorship with existing partners over the next two years. However, given the current uncertainty surrounding UK leaving the European Union we currently maintaining prudent assumption in respect of further cash sponsorship. 1) Medical Quotation obtained based on 2 emergency ambulances, 2 paramedics, 1 emergency nurse, 2 emergency medical technicians and 6 first responders (pitchside cover). 2) Bank charges Bank charges will be minimised as a result of the relatively low volume of supplier payments required. layout. Printing cost based on quotes from previous large scale events hosted by the Kings Cross Steelers RFC. 4) Opening/closing ceremony Opening ceremony has been costed based on initial discussions with the venue. Closing ceremony has been budgeted based on a per head cost for catering from a large London‐based catering and event management corporation. 5) Venue fees and maintenance Our Memorial Park facilities have recently undergone major upgrade work in preparation for use as a training facility for the 2015 Rugby World Cup. The Club facilities and grounds are subject to a cyclical repairs and maintenance 44
programme as part of an ongoing schedule of tournaments and events held routinely at the Club. KXS will have free and unfetttered access to our Memorial Park venue and therefore no charge has been budgeted for venue hire. 6) Insurance Event public liability insurance has been quoted for cover of up to £10,000,000. In line with previous tournaments players will be responsible for their own insurance cover for play. 7) IGR Licence fee IGR licence fee will pass directly though the Bingham Cup entity, and be passed on to IGR on an agency basis, it has not been included in revenue and therefore is not included in costs. 8) Kit and Merchandise Merchandising will be outsourced and a royalty paid to the Bingham Cup event company based on 10% of merchandising revenue merchandising sales are conservative and are based on previous tournament royalties. 9) Brochure layout Brochure layout will be provided by Steelers membership, costs therefore for printing only which is included at note 7. 10) Catering £5 per day allocated for players and supporters in respect of catering from a variety of artisan street food vendors on site. 11) Sanitation and cleaning Sanitation costs relate predominantly to cost of private waste disposal and have been estimated based on similar costs for tournaments held at Memorial Park. 12) Security Our Memorial Park site is gated and fenced and therefore we propose 4 security staff during the day and 2 staff on site at night. Costs have been quoted by a reputable supplier. Personnel Days Days (inc. set up and breakdown) 5 Personnel on site 4 Shift hours 12 Day rate hours 240 Days (inc. set up and breakdown) 4 Personnel on site 2 Shift hours 12 Day rate hours 96 Day cost Night cost 14.00 18.00 5,088 Total 13) Physiotherapy Physiotherapy will be provided free of charge by the British School of Osteopathy. The currently budgeted amount is estimated for the cost of providing strapping based on previous tournament costs. 14) Transport Flexible transport will be provided via issue of a three day travel card for the London Underground network. This will provide unlimited access to public transport within Zones 1 to 3 and will cover all major attractions and event venues for the duration of the tournament. 15) Portaloos & toilets Memorial Park has three buildings with changing and toilet facilities comprising 16 changing rooms, 11 urinals and 11 stalls. These will be supplemented with 4 block urinals and flushing portable toilet units. Costs have been assessed based on similar tournaments held at Memorial Park. Budget Low High Four block urinals Flushing toilet Quoted cost 24 12 1,869 12 6 935 32 14 2,285 16) Referee expenses Based on historic information for similar tournaments and league season referring costs. 17) Player Village/Marquees Quotes obtained for marquees from a supplier used in previous tournaments at Memorial Park based on a 40’ x 20’ marquee to house 2 squads. Unit price (£) Marquees use 40' x 20' marquee to house 2 squads 435 Player village marquees Physio tent 997 Bar tent 997 Officials' tent 1,156 Budget Low High
Player tents 5,798 4,784 6,958 Physio tent 997 997 997 Bar tent 997 997 997 Officials' tent 1,156 1,156 1,156 Total 8,948 7,933 10,107 18) Communications Based on quote received for communications tower, public address system and 10 VHF radios. 45
US Dollar Budget Attendance & Income Number of Teams Players per squad Total Players Total Supporters Total Player & Supporter Fees Volunteers Non‐paying ‐ Referees / EMTs / PTs /VIPs Host Committee Total participants Notes Income Registration fees Corporate Sponsorship Merchandise General Admission Program Ads Total Income Expenditure Low 33 15 495 165 708 75 30 20 833 High 48 25 1200 240 1513 150 45 20 1728 US$ 158,182 52,400 3,275 2,620 2,620 219,097 A B C D E Ambulance/EMT/Safety 1 Awards ‐ Trophies – Medals Bank Charges 2 Banners/Lanyards 3 Closing Ceremonies 4 Fields Expenses ‐ Paint, Goal Posts, etc. 5 Insurance 6 License Fee to IGR Merchandising Inventory 8 Tournament brochure layout/printing 9 Player Meals 10 Player Gift Bags Jersey Laundry VIP and Alice Hoagland flights and accommodation Sanitation & Cleaning 11 Security 12 Sports massage / Physio 13 Transportation ‐ Tournament 14 Venue ‐ Field Rentals 15 Portalets 15 Opening Ceremonies 16 Referee ‐ Pay & Housing Tents ‐ Team/Referee/EMT/Merchandise Tents 17 Water/Ice Walkie Talkie Rental 18 Miscellaneous Costs Audio visual Website Budget 40 22 880 240 1182 100 40 20 1342 US$ 93,220 49,780 1,930 2,620 2,620 150,170 13,093 393 ‐ 3,144 36,051 1,310 1,310 ‐ ‐ 1,965 25,152 1,965 1,834 4,585 852 6,665 6,550 47,537 ‐ 2,449 19,283 655 11,721 655 1,965 2,620 3,930 2,620 US$ 203,361 58,950 4,211 2,620 2,620 271,762 13,093 393 ‐ 2,882 22,110 1,310 1,310 ‐ ‐ 1,703 15,425 1,205 1,032 4,585 522 6,665 3,860 28,013 ‐ 1,224 11,826 393 10,392 459 1,965 1,965 1,310 2,620 16,834 393 ‐ 3,563 46,613 1,310 1,310 ‐ ‐ 2,096 32,521 2,541 2,501 4,585 1,101 6,665 8,421 61,119 ‐ 2,993 24,933 655 13,241 917 1,965 2,620 3,930 2,620 Total Costs 198,305 136,262 245,447 Contingency of 10% 19,831 13,626 24,545 Net Income 961 281 1,770 46
Euro Budget Attendance & Income Number of Teams Players per squad Total Players Total Supporters Total Player & Supporter Fees Volunteers Non‐paying ‐ Referees / EMTs / PTs /VIPs Host Committee Total participants Notes Income Registration fees Corporate Sponsorship Merchandise General Admission Program Ads Total Income Contingency of 10% Net Income High 48 25 1200 240 1440 150 45 20 1655 € 142,484 47,200 2,950 2,360 2,000 196,994 Low 33 15 495 165 660 75 30 20 785 € A B C D E Expenditure Ambulance/EMT/Safety 1 Awards ‐ Trophies ‐ Medals Bank Charges 2 Banners/Lanyards 3 Closing Ceremonies 4 Fields Expenses ‐ Paint, Goal Posts, etc. 5 Insurance 6 License Fee to IGR 7 Merchandising Inventory 8 Tournament brochure layout/printing 9 Participant Meals 10 Participant Gift Bags Jersey Laundry VIP and Alice Hoagland flights and accommodation Sanitation & Cleaning 11 Security 12 Strapping/physio materials 13 Transportation ‐ Tournament 14 Venue ‐ Field Rentals 5 Portable toilets 15 Opening Ceremonies 4 Referee ‐ Pay & Housing 16 Tents ‐ Team/Referee/EMT/Merchandise 17 Water/Ice Walkie Talkie Rental 18 Miscellaneous Costs Audio visual Website Total Costs Budget 40 22 880 240 1120 100 40 20 1280 83,969 44,840 1,738 2,360 2,000 134,907 11,794 354 ‐ 2,832 32,474 1,180 1,180 ‐ ‐ 1,770 22,656 1,770 1,652 4,130 767 6,004 5,900 42,820 ‐ 2,206 17,370 590 10,558 590 1,770 2,360 3,540 2,000 € 183,180 53,100 3,793 2,360 2,000 244,433 11,794 354 ‐ 2,596 19,915 1,180 1,180 ‐ ‐ 1,534 13,895 1,086 929 4,130 470 6,004 3,477 25,233 ‐ 1,103 10,652 354 9,361 413 1,770 1,770 1,180 2,000 15,164 354 ‐ 3,210 41,987 1,180 1,180 ‐ ‐ 1,888 29,294 2,289 2,253 4,130 992 6,004 7,586 55,054 ‐ 2,696 22,458 590 11,927 826 1,770 2,360 3,540 2,000 178,266 122,380 220,730 17,827 12,238 22,073 902 289 1,630 47
BINGHAM CUP LOGISTICS DATA
HOST CITY
Accomodation
Number of hotels within 10 miles of tournament site
Total number of rooms of these hotels
>1200
>116,000
Travel & transport
Distance from tournament site to main international airport (km)
40 km
Average public transport journey time from site to airport (via crossrail)
<1hr
Social
Opening ceremony venue capacity1700
Opening ceremony distance from tournament site
11 km
Closing ceremony venue capacity2000
Closing ceremony distance from tournament site
6 km
TOURNAMENT LOGISITICS
Game
Number of changing rooms
Total changing room capacity (persons)
Planned number of temporary changing rooms/tents
Planned temporary changing room capcity (persons)
Number of full-sized turf pitches on site
Number of full-sized non-turf pitches on site
Rough estimate of tournament site area (acres)
Showers
16
320
Number of permanent showers available on site
Number of temporary showers to be made available
12
0
Number of permanent toilets on site
Number of permanent urinals on site
Planned number of portaloos to be made available
Planned number of temporary urinals to be made available
11
11
24
12
0
0
6
1
31
Toilets
48
Food & Drink
Is there a permanent bar on site? (Y/N)
Is there a permanent kitchen on site? (Y/N)
Will there be temporary bar/restaurant facilities offered on site?
How many staff will be on duty (estimate)
Y
Y
Y
10-15
Medical
Number of emergency ambulances
2
Number of paramedics
2
Number of emergency nurses
1
Number of medical technicians
2
Number of first responders
6
Nearest hospital A&E (name)
The Royal London Hospital
Nearest hospital A&E distance from tournament site
6.8 km
Volunteers How many volunteers will be recruited?
100
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APPENDIX b
letters from
our endorsers
50
May 2016
Bingham Cup Bid
To whom it may concern
I’m writing on behalf of the RFU with regards to the Kings Cross Steelers bid to host the
2018 Bingham Cup in London.
We are delighted to support Kings Cross Steelers, as an affiliated member club and the oldest
gay and bisexual club in the world, with their aspiration to bring the Bingham Cup back to
England. The club and bidding committee are highly experienced in event planning and
organization and we are happy to offer our services in support.
As a sport built on strong values, we believe England will offer an excellent experience for
visitors. It has been 12 years since London last hosted, and in that time we have seen world
class sporting and cultural events across the capital city, with its population looking to
embrace all that is on offer in a social and sporting arena. With fantastic local infrastructure,
an experienced bid and events team, and a warm and welcoming population we feel that the
timing couldn’t be better to bring the Bingham Cup back to London.
Through the recent Rugby World Cup, we have witnessed first-hand what it means to a
country, a community, a club and to individuals to be able to be part of a large event. As the
RFU, we feel strongly that rugby is a game for all and at our core we support our clubs and
the communities around them. Inclusive clubs and teams are rising in profile and player
numbers are increasing, we believe that an event such as this could really help to galvanise
growth and ensure a strong future for LGBT rugby not just in London, but across England.
Yours sincerely
Steve Grainger
Rugby Development Director
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To the International Gay Rugby voting delegates:
I am are writing to express The London Society of Rugby Football Union Referees’
(LSRFUR) support of the Kings Cross Steelers’ bid to host the 2018 Mark Kendall
Bingham Memorial Tournament in London.
For over 125 years, the LSRFUR has strived to provide quality, professional match
officials for club games occurring in the London area. We are committed to
continually developing and enhancing the skills of referees, motivating and coaching
them to become true ambassadors of the game, and in doing so strengthen rugby in
communities across the city.
The LSRFUR has a long history with the Steelers: whether it’s officiating their
matches over the years or training members to become referees once they’ve
retired from active playing. We are thrilled that the Kings Cross Steelers have
decided to build off their 20 year tradition of community engagement and
commitment to the game by bidding to host the Bingham Cup in London in 2018.
The tournament would shine an amazing spotlight on our sport – both within in the
UK but more widely around the world.
We wholeheartedly back the club’s efforts to host the tournament and would be
happy to provide our support to ensure that a 2018 London Bingham Cup can offer
the best rugby playing experience for all participants, including the provision of
trained and experienced officials who have refereed Division 1 level games or above
as well as advising on a framework for structured, fair means of resolving officiating
conflicts and disputes. In doing so, we hope to demonstrate the expertise and
professionalism of our society and its members.
I encourage you to support the Kings Cross Steelers’ bid to host the 2018 Mark
Kendall Bingham Memorial Tournament in London.
Sincerely,
Dr Tim Miller
General Secretary
L.S.R.F.U.R.
Mobile: +44 7799 582646
[email protected]
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XXL LONDON
1 Invicta Plaza
London
SE1 9UF
www.xxl-london.com
18th May 2016
Dear International Gay Rugby Voting Delegates:
We are delighted to endorse the Kings Cross Steelers as the host club for the 2018 Mark
Kendall Bingham Memorial Tournament in London.
The Kings Cross Steelers have been a beacon for LGBT sports in the United Kingdom and
Internationally for their work in promoting acceptance of all lesbian, gay, bi and trans
people not only across sports but in the wider communities. It is with their endless efforts
and support that a number of high ranking sports personalities have had the courage and
the support to come out and be themselves without fear of recrimination.
Over the years XXL has worked with the Kings Cross Steelers and this past year we have
established a very strong relationship with a solid foundation in sponsoring and promoting
the team. We have pledged the use of our Venue – Pulse – free of charge for the 2018 Mark
Kendall Bingham Memorial Tournament along with a cash support of $50,000. We believe
the committee have the ability to provide a professional approach to making this a very
smooth, inclusive, enjoyable and undoubtedly memorable tournament.
With the potential international media coverage from this event being held in London the
legacy of Mark Kendall Bingham will inspire future generations from around the globe and
give courage to those to walk their path in life.
Yours sincerely
Mark Ames
Owner XXL
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Alex Smith
Chairman
Kings Cross Steelers RFC
71 Holland Road
London
E15 3BP
Nick Bracken OBE
Chief Operating Officer
London Borough of Newham
Newham Dockside
1000 Dockside Road
E16 2QU
Direct no: +44 203 373 1995
Mobile
+44 7788 924411
[email protected]
Friday 22nd July 2016
Dear Alex
"The Mark Kendall Bingham Memorial Tournament".
I have been asked to write to you on behalf of the Mayor and the Chief executive.
They are both delighted to hear that the Kings Cross Steelers RFC are launching a
bid to host the Mark Kendall Bingham Memorial cup at East London Rugby Club and
the Memorial Park E15.
As a borough with a proud sporting heritage and hosts to major events such as the
2012 Olympic Game and 2015 Rugby World Cup we are delighted to be associated
with your bid and wish you every success to bring the tournament to the Borough.
Please feel free to state in you proposal that the event has the support of the local
authority and that there is access to the Council run local volunteer team.
Yours sincerely
Nick Bracken OBE
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St. Anne’s Church
55 Dean Street
London
W1D 6AF
International Gay Rugby Board
71 Holland Road
London
E15 3BP
2 June 2016
To whom it may concern,
Re: King’s Cross Steelers’ bid to host Bingham Cup 2018
By way of introduction, I’m the Chief Executive of Diversity Role Models (DRM), a UK charity
which tackles homophobic, biphobic and transphobic bullying, primarily in UK schools. Such
bullying adversely affects young people’s mental wellbeing and educational attainment. But it’s
not just young people who are gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender who may be affected by
such bullying; any young person who doesn’t fit rigid gender stereotypes can be targeted. And
this often hinges on participation in sport:
“We all know children can be cruel, I’ve had to learn that the hard way, if you're not in the
group boys are meant to be in, if you're not macho, get into fights, don’t play football, then it
means you're gay, you're not a typical person”. Case study interview with male student
Our volunteer Role Models are at the heart of our work. They accompany us into schools and
share their positive engaging stories to help us address the misuse of language, and break
down the negative stereotypes which are often the root cause of much bullying behaviour. Our
work ensures that all those who may be affected by such bullying can feel supported, while all
young people gain understanding of some of the issues which affect LGBT people – and feel
empowered to challenge homophobia, biphobia and transphobia if they encounter it.
We were delighted when the King’s Cross Steelers chose DRM as one of their charity partners
for their 20th anniversary year in 2015. Over the course of the last year, and in the run-up to
the Bingham Cup 2016, they have raised funds for us so that we can continue our vital work.
We benefited from their Gala Dinner in November 2015, and were able to raise funds at their
pre-Bingham event in May 2016.
Diversity Role Models | Registered Charity number: 1142548 | Company Number: 7640644
Registered Office: St Anne’s Church, 55 Dean Street, London W1D 6AF
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Terrence Higgins Trust 314-320 Gray's Inn Road London WC1X 8DP Tel: 020 7812 1600
Fax: 020 7812 1601 Email: [email protected] Website: www.tht.org.uk THT Direct: 0808 802 1221
The HIV and sexual health charity for life
To Whom It May Concern
23 May 2016
Dear Sir/Madam
_
Terrence Higgins Trust is the UK’s leading HIV and sexual health charity. Finding new ways
to engage and support communities most affected by HIV and sexual ill-health is a vital
part of our work. 40,900 people are living with HIV in London (almost half the UK total).
However, an estimated 5,500 of them are undiagnosed and don’t know they have acquired
HIV, which is putting their health at risk. London is also host to the UK’s largest population
of gay and bisexual men – one of the key populations most affected by HIV. The King’s
Cross Steelers are one of our most valuable community partners in reaching them to raise
awareness.
Patrons include:
Sir Richard Branson
Simon Callow CBE
Julian Clary
Martin Clunes
Dame Judi Dench
Tracey Emin CBE
Lord Fowler
The Steelers have hosted a number of hugely successful fundraising events, making
generous donations to support the work of their charitable partners, including Terrence
Higgins Trust. The Steelers have publically thrown their weight behind our HIV awareness
campaigns by appearing in photoshoots for ‘It Starts with Me’ and ‘National HIV Testing
Week’, both of which raise awareness of and encourage gay and bisexual men to look after
their sexual health. The enduring widespread popularity of the Steelers within the
community, and their prominent display of our logo on their kit, goes a long way to
reminding people of the continued importance of HIV awareness to new generations of gay
and bisexual men.
Stephen Fry
Furthermore, in an era of reduced LGBT venues and support groups, rising smartphone apps
and increasing isolation for gay and bisexual men in large cities like London, the Steelers’
work in fostering strong social networks of gay men, and supporting their health,
exemplifies some of the best and most needed work in our community.
Reverend Nicolas Stacey
Paul Gambaccini
Lord Glendonbrook CBE
Charles Hart
Sir Elton John
Lord Kirkwood of Kirkhope
Lord Morris of Handsworth
Canon Doctor Paul Oestreicher
Professor Anthony Pinching
Caroline Quentin
Danny Rampling
Gaby Roslin
Sir Antony Sher KBE
Dr Miriam Stoppard OBE
Dr Rupert Whitaker
Tony Whitehead MBE
Johnny Wynne-Williams
We fully support the King’s Cross Steelers’ bid to host the Bingham Cup as recognition for
the club’s outstanding achievements and contributions, both on and off the field, and we
are committed to finding ways to help use the event in London to support the sexual health
of gay and bisexual men internationally.
Yours sincerely
Ian Green
Chief Executive
Terrence Higgins Trust is a registered charity in England and Wales (reg. no. 288527) Company reg. no. 1778149 and a registered charity in Scotland (reg no.SC039986).
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10th May 2016
Dear International Gay Rugby Voting Delegates:
It is with great enthusiasm that I endorse the Kings Cross Steelers as the host club for the 2018 Mark
Kendall Bingham Memorial Tournament in London.
Of course, as chairman of a London-based organisation, I might be expected to advocate for the Kings
Cross Steelers as your host club, but the endorsement runs much deeper than the sharing of a home
city. The club is phenomenally professional, their commitment to the inclusive nature of sport
unparalleled, and their leadership are remarkably effective individuals.
The Kings Cross Steelers have a long history of supporting the advancement of gay and inclusive
rugby, both in London and around the world. As a previous host of the Bingham Cup in 2004, they are
aware of the demands of the tournament and their history of hosting successful events in London is
unparalleled. Year after year, their event calendar grows more ambitious, culminating in their annual
fundraiser at London’s largest gay club, Heaven, which sells out and pleases the crowd with showstopping talent from the Steelers’ own roster.
Through both word and action, the Kings Cross Steelers have proven to be committed to breaking
down barriers. The club holds a seat on the board of Out for Sport, an organisation of LGBT sports
teams and clubs in London dedicated to increasing awareness and support of the teams and
promoting the health and welfare of LGBT individuals. The Steelers actively encourage and support
the introduction of rugby into schools and try to get more young people playing rugby through their
work with the East London Charitable Sports Association, Newham Council, and local schools. The
official charities of the club are the Terrence Higgins Trust (the UK’s leading HIV and AIDS charity),
Broken Rainbow (dedicated to the support of those impacted by domestic violence), and Diversity Role
Models (a group focused on ending homophobia and bullying in schools).
I am confident you will find London an attractive host city based on the logistical benefits of public
transportation and convenience of international travel, the aesthetic benefits of the historical and
cultural significance of the city, and the extracurricular benefits of the vibrancy of the city’s nightlife and
social opportunities.
I strongly encourage you to vote in favour of the Kings Cross Steelers’ bid to host the 2018 Mark
Kendall Bingham Memorial Tournament in London, and I look forward to welcoming you here for the
occasion.
Yours sincerely,
Ben C. Cohen, MBE
Chairman
Registered charity number 1147431
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To the International Gay Rugby voting delegates:
My name is Matt Lister, and I am the LGBT Athlete Ambassador for Great Britain, at the
British Athletes Commission. The first ever appointed LGBT Ambassador role globally by a
sporting national governing body. I was an athlete for Great Britain for 10 years, competing
in canoe slalom. I have won several medals for my country at European and World level. In
February of 2016 I announced my retirement after narrowly missing out on Rio 2016 by half
a second. Since my retirement I have taken the role of sport and fitness writer at Attitude
magazine.
I am writing to express my support of the Kings Cross Steelers’ bid to host the 2018 Mark
Kendall Bingham Memorial Tournament in London.
I think it would important for London to host the 2018 Bingham Cup, because of how diverse
our city is. London is known by so many around the world as the ‘gay capital’, I feel it would
be a great opportunity to bring together the whole of London’s ally community, alongside the
LGBT+ community and put on a huge event to be enjoyed by all.
I would love to be able too bring together the British Athletes Commission and the gay rugby
teams from around the world, to help bring awareness to the issue of homophobia in sport. I
have been working closely with them on an anti-homophobia document that has gone to UK
Sport, and will soon be spreading across the national governing bodies of each Olympic and
Paralympic sport in the UK. After this, we plan to start a campaign across the globe which
tackles homophobia in sport, across a much wider reach. We already have some charity
events in the pipeline, some of which would be perfect to run alongside the cup getting all the
players and spectators involved. It would be the perfect partnership.
London is a city I am proud to call home. I love this city and the people in it. It is one of the
few places on this planet I really feel I can be myself. We should use this as an opportunity to
show the world what real acceptance really is. We have shown several times over recent
years how well we can put on an event, lets make this one huge!
In conclusion, I feel this could be a mutually beneficial situation for all parties involved. I
encourage you to support the Kings Cross Steelers’ bid to host the 2018 Mark Kendall
Bingham Memorial Tournament in London.
Sincerely,
Matthew James Lister
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APPENDIX C:
COUNTRIES WITH BILATERAL HEALTH
AGREEMENTS WITH THE UK
Nationals of, and UK nationals in, the following countries:
Barbados, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Croatia, Gibraltar, Serbia & Montenegro,
Macedonia, New Zealand
Residents irrespective of nationality of the following countries:
Anguilla, Australia, British Virgin Islands, Falkland Islands, Iceland, Jersey,
Isle of Man, Montserrat, St. Helena, Turks and Caicos Islands.
Residents of the European Union and European
Economic Area countries:
Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus (Southern), Czech Republic, Denmark,
Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Ireland,
Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, plus Iceland, Liechtenstein and
Norway. Switzerland by special arrangement.
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