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The Kings Cross Steelers are an English rugby union team, the first open membership gay and bisexual rugby club in the world. The Kings Cross Steelers are currently playing in the Essex (Spitfire) League 2.
 The Kings Cross Steelers are an English rugby union team, the first open membership gay and bisexual rugby club in the world. The Kings Cross Steelers are currently playing in the Essex (Spitfire) League 2. The world's first rugby club for gay and bisexual men was founded at a meeting which took place in Central Station, a gay pub in London's King's Cross district on 1 November 1995. The "Steelers" part of the name came about because many of the club's founder members were keen fans of American Football. The Steelers' claim to the title of the "world's first gay rugby club" is based on the fact that South Africa's Jamieson Raiders (founded in 1985) are an annual invitation team, rather than a registered club playing seasonal fixtures. Additionally, the Sydney-based POOFTAs (also founded in 1985) play touch rugby rather than matches under the Union Code. Training started at the beginning of 1996 and the club joined the Surrey County Union in the summer of 1996. The first game under RFU rules took place on 21 September 1996 when we played Orleans Former Pupils at Stawberry Hill (lost 92-10), followed by London Cornish 3 a week later. Kings Cross Steelers RFC first played in Irish green and royal blue inverse quarters shirts, blue shorts and plain blue socks. The Change Strip shirts are burgundy and royal blue inverse quarters. - Source: http://www.kxsrfc.com/
Rugby club clinch league title
PinkPaper.Com - June 5, 2009 (Excerpt) Kings Cross Steelers RFC, London’s only gay rugby club have won back the title of European champions for another year after winning the 15s section of the Union Cup, which was held at their home ground, in West Ham last month. The tournament, held from 22 to 23 May, saw the Steelers beat their old rivals, the Manchester Spartans, in a tense and gripping final with a score of 3-0. In the 10s section of the tournament, the Cardiff Lions beat the Kings Cross Steelers 2nd team by 29-7. This final saw the Welsh use their strong back line to out-run the West Ham based players. In the 7s final, the Bristol Bisons played a thrilling match to win against the French side, Les Coqs Festifs which resulted in a final score of 12-7. Overall this tournament was a resounding success for the West Ham based Steelers, and for the European teams alike. Twelve teams from the UK, Ireland and the continent played hard in three levels of competition, with many scoring their best performance yet. [Read the full article...]
Gay rugby team King’s Cross Steelers win 2011 Union cup
PinkNews.co.uk - June 7, 2011 (Excerpt) Gay rugby club King’s Cross Steelers, have retained the title of European champions for the third time after winning the 2011 Union Cup. The biennial tournament – held in Amsterdam on 5 June – saw the London-based club win the XVs section and the second team come runners-up in the Xs section. In a tense and gripping final, the Steelers XV beat their old rivals the Manchester Spartans who dominated the opening minutes of play. However, they were beaten by the Steelers, who won by an overwhelming 29-0. The Steelers X won the runners-up section against the Parisian side Le Coq Festif, in a match that saw the old rivals pitch against each other and fight for the coveted Silver Plate. The French put out an impressive defence but eventually the London side won 27-7. The tournament was a resounding success for all team members. Chairman of the Kings Cross Steelers RFC, Tim Sullivan, said: “This is a thrilling triumph for the world’s first gay rugby club. Our success has been due to the sheer hard work and dedication of the players and the support team. So I’d like to personally thank these individuals that helped us win this cup.” [Read the original article...]
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