The Biennial 2026 Bingham Cup and Amanda Cup celebrates the LGBTQI+ community in rugby and will be held in Brisbane in August, with player Jack Egan joining UCFM’s ‘Monday Matchup’ to talk about the upcoming event.
Jack Egan is one of many gay rugby players from across the world with their hearts set on competing in International Gay Rugby’s (IGR) competitions in Queensland’s capital.
Being raised rural NSW town, he is thrilled at now getting to play in a global competion with goals bigger then sport.
“A little 15 year old Jack didn’t even think this was even possible to have this opportunity or even know that, the world was capable of doing something like this.”
Hosts on the ‘Monday Matchup’ sports show got to meet Jack and explore his playing career, starting in his rural hometown, and his excitement to represent the ‘Sydney Convicts‘.
The competition is made up of teams created with inclusion and diversity at the forefront. IGR has facilitated teams across the world that create safe spaces for players to be open about their sexuality and gender and play rugby. Teams welcome all players, both members of the LGBTQI+ community as well as straight allies.
“Anyone who may be an ally, supporter or anything like that, it’s completely your decision. So he Sydney convicts who I’m currently playing for, there is some people who are straight, bisexual, gay and trans.
“Elia Green who’s just currently joined us, an Olympic gold medalist who transitioned from female to male and they made their very first debut with us and it was pretty hectic to see that.”
Unfortunately, the reality is that not all rugby communities and clubs create an environment for players to be open, and there is a lack of openly diverse role models in Australian sports, especially in male sports.
The eye-opening conversation with Jack is available on Spotify, or listen below.