As thousands of LGBTQ+ rugby players and fans descend on Birmingham in April, the IGR Union Cup tournament will be used as a platform to campaign for Trans inclusion in rugby and Trans rights in society.
The IGR Union Cup 2023, Europe’s largest inclusive rugby tournament, is coming to Birmingham. The tournament will be a platform to campaign for Trans inclusion in rugby and Trans rights in society.
The tournament is expected to attract over LGBTQ- rugby teams from across Europe and thousands of supporters to the region. You can expect to see 2000 players from over 18 countries take part in the tournament which runs from 28th – 30th April 2023.
There has never been a more important time to stand up for the Trans community.
Trans rights in the UK are being attacked by the UK Government, and the RFU council recently voted in favour of change to gender participation policy. The respective bodies in Wales, Scotland and Ireland have followed suit. Union Cup 2023 will provide a platform for campaigning for a reversal of the recently introduced restrictions, especially as there is a threat this will spread across other European rugby unions.
The tournament will also be used to celebrate the positives of Trans inclusion in sports like rugby.
They are also keen to educate people on how to make the sport as inclusive as possible. This was one of the objectives of the recent Commonwealth Games in the city last summer.
James Anthony, Chair of the Birmingham Union Cup Organising Committee said, “Not only will we be flying the flag for Trans inclusion, but we will also be emblazing the Trans flag across our event – from our referees’ shirts, our participant wrist bands and all over our showcase pitch.”
Emmett Peacock, a Trans rugby player at Union Cup said, “The Trans community is going through a difficult time at the moment, and as Trans rugby players, we feel let down by our governing bodies. That’s why it’s brilliant that the LGBTQ+ rugby community will be coming together in Birmingham with a clear message that we need to include Trans players in our sport.”
Birmingham will build on the legacy from the Dublin tournament back in 2019. It’s certainly not an event to be missed!
To find out more visit https://unioncuprugby.com and www.birminghambullsrfc.com or search for IGR Union Cup Rugby on social media.
