The Bingham Cup is proud to announce that they will include their first ever Women’s Cup division at their next biennial tournament being held in New York City in May 2006.

The Bingham Cup is a biennial international rugby competition named in remembrance of Mark Kendall Bingham, one of the heroic victims of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Mark was a keen rugby player and a star member of his college team at the University of California at Berkeley, leading them to a string of national championships. At the time of his death, Mark was playing for one of USA’s leading gay & bisexual rugby teams, the San Francisco Fog RFC.

The Bingham Cup was held previously in 2002 in San Francisco and in 2004 in London. Since its inception, the tournament has grown from eight teams to forty teams from ten countries projected take part in the 2006 tournament in New York City. Eight to sixteen women’s teams are anticipated to take part in the 2006 Bingham Cup.

“The inclusion of women’s rugby teams was a natural decision for us,” said C. Brian Devinney, the tournament director and chair of the 2006 Bingham Cup Organizing Committee. “Women and women’s teams have had a great influence on the growth of the sport within the gay community. There’s no better way to honor their contribution to the sport than establishing a Women’s Cup division at next year’s tournament.”

Bingham Cup 2006 will also feature coaching, referees and laws clinics; three days of rugby competion at various levels; and the signature high-quality parties which have marked prior Bingham Cup events. The San Francisco Fog secured the Bingham Cup trophy at the 2002 and 2004 Bingham Cups, and London’s Kings Cross Steelers currently hold the Bingham Plate, for B-sides and developing clubs.

For more information about the new Bingham Cup Women’s Division, you may contact Toby Butterfield at womenscup@bc06.com. Additionally, you may visit our website at www.binghamcup.com.

"Contrary to popular belief there is womens rugby in Korea!! If you know anyone living and working in Seoul or thereabouts, please let them know we are alive and rucking here in the Nations' Capital.

Most of our players are ex-pats here on 1 year English teaching stints and a lot are surpised to learn they dont have to spend all their time here on the piss alone!!

There is no experience necessary. We have great coaches, Kiwis, Canucks and a few Brits but more importantly we are a totally social side training and playing once a week year round.

We also organize tours all around Asia to spice things up a bit. In fact we just came back from a wicked time at the Kowloon 10s in Hong Kong..and Shanghai is next! For more information, please email me at nathallemans@yahoo.ca "

www.leaguelineup.com

NEW HAKA IS DARKER The All Blacks performed a new haka in Dunedin, surprising the Springboks and the crowd with one they were heavily involved in creating, Kapa o Pango. Everyone was expecting the traditional Ka Mate, but the All Blacks sank to their knees instead of slapping their thighs, and the crowd began to cheer excitedly as the South Africans' eyes widened. A minute later, as the new routine finished with a throat-slitting gesture of unmistakeable meaning, the Carisbrook crowd roared its approval. All Black captain Tana Umaga says that the team wanted to make a contribution to the team's multicultural heritage. But he emphasised that Kapa o Pango would only be performed occasionally. "We might mix it up a bit, but Ka Mate is still central to the All Blacks culture," he said.

Kia whaka whenua au i ahau! Hi aue, hi! Ko Aotearoa e ngunguru nei! Au au aue ha! Ko kapa o pango e ngunguru nei! Au au aue ha! I ahaha, ka tu te ihihi, ka te tu wanawana! Ki runga ki te rangi e tu iho nei, tu iho nei, hi! Ponga ra! Kapa o Pango! Aue hi! Ponga ra! Kapa o Pango! Aue hi, ha!

Let me become one with the land at this moment. This, our land that rumbles. It's my time, my moment. This rumbling defines us as All Blacks. It's my time, my moment. We will triumph because of our greater strength. To be properly revered, placed on high... Silver Fern! All Blacks! Silver Fern! All Blacks!

(via rugbynews mailingliste)