The Biannual ‘Bingham Cup’ is one of the largest amateur rugby tournaments in the world. Over 2,500 players competed in 2018 in Amsterdam, and the Covid delayed competition was held in Ottawa this August with over 1,600 players taking part with teams from the UK, Europe, Canada, the United States and New Zealand and Australia. It is also a bright spot for diversity in the sport, as these clubs represent the LGBTI+ community.
The King’s Cross Steelers have competed in this competition since its inception twenty years ago, as a memorial to Mark Bingham who died on Sept 11 as part of the group of passengers who worked to retake Flight 93.
The club fundraised and supported over 100 players over four teams, coaches, referees and supporters to attend the tournament and was successful in getting two teams to the finals on 21 August 2022. The whole club is overjoyed with making the twin finals and being successful.
Attending the 2022 Bingham Cup, Eden Hannam, the Club’s new Chairman said: ‘The King’s Cross Steelers are great supporters of the Bingham Cup, having attended since the beginning. We’re thrilled to finally win the Mark Bingham Memorial Cup here in Ottawa. We have been hunting for this trophy for over twenty years, with lots of near misses, and long established rivalries. All credit to the final game against the New York City Gotham Knights, Mark Bingham’s old team. It was a hard fought match. Credit to the organisers also for amazing pitches and organisation.
After virtually no games during the pandemic, we brought four teams to sunny Ottawa from graduates of our beginners Pathway to Rugby Programme, through to veterans who founded the club and played in those first games. This win is a tribute to the hard work of every member of the London King’s Cross Steelers who played, coached, referred, fundraised, condition/rehabilitated and supported our club - proof that we believe that rugby is for all. We could not have done this without some great sponsors and will be celebrating with them. We look forward to defending our title in two years time!”
Full match results: https://www.tournifyapp.com/live/binghamcup2022
Semi final matches https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KxGQnW3YDSQ
Final Matches: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KXRdzoAp_6A