94. Steelers: The World's First Gay Rugby Club; movie review

 

 

STEELERS: THE WORLD'S FIRST GAY RUGBY CLUB

Cert TBA

80 mins

BBFC advice: TBA

There are no stereotypes but plenty of surprises at the Bingham Cup - the world championship of gay rugby teams.

This is a sport at its most competitive with keen rivalries established over many years.

Meanwhile, its other side is the camaraderie and sense of belonging which has literally brought some of its players back from the cusp of suicide.

The Bingham Cup is the focus of Australian journalist, Eammon Aston-Atkinson's film which shines a spotlight on the Kings Cross Steelers.

The Steelers were the world's first gay rugby team - founded after a conversation between friends in a pub in 1995.

Aston-Atkinson tells his own story as well as those of two playing colleagues and a gay woman who coaches the team.

An injury meant he was out of the team for the tournament which was being held in Amsterdam and which The Steelers have never won.

We see them in action on the pitch but, much more importantly, hear their life stories off it.

Coming out has certainly been problematic for both the film-maker and one of his subjects Simon who confessed to suicidal thoughts during his journey.

Meanwhile, Drew makes excellent points about not judging a book by its cover as he combines his rugby with being a flamboyant drag artist.

Intriguingly, the film's main subject is Nic, a former Wales international who is leaving after three years as head coach.

In her words, she is a "crier" and sheds plenty of proud tears as she describes her journey and that of the team.

Don't worry if rugby is not your bag - while, there are a few clips of matches, the emphasis is much more about teamwork and friendship.

It is an example of how sport can be a massive positive for participants' mental health and it is a tribute to those who had the foresight for creating a gay rugby team 25 years ago.

My only quibble is that it drifts too far down self-indulgence avenue.

We watched Steelers: The World's First Gay Rugby Club as part of the online Glasgow Film Festival.

Reasons to watch: Interesting and illuminating

Reasons to avoid: Becomes a bit self-indulgent at times

Laughs: Two

Jumps: None

Vomit: None

Nudity: None

Overall rating: 7/10

Did you know? IGR International Gay Rugby, founded in 2000, is the organising body for a global collective of 90 member gay & inclusive rugby union clubs in more than 25 countries on six continents.

The final word. Lord Robert Hayward: 'There was a perception about the club and the gay community that we were all soft and like Danny La Rue. ‘Straight’ clubs were quite open about the fact they didn’t want to be the first club to lose to Kings Cross Steelers.  But that perception has changed because more sportsmen and women have come out as being gay, like Gareth Thomas in 2009. And the contrast now is that the Essex Rugby Union is incredibly proud to have us as part of their society." Rugby World

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