Road2Oz - MVSRUFC Crowdfunder

Aim

Manchester Village Spartans RUFC's Crowdfunder, raising funds to attend the "World Cup" of inclusive rugby.

Who Are We?

Manchester Village Spartans Rugby Union FC are campaigning to raise funds to attend the "World Cup" of gay and inclusive rugby.

As the world’s second-ever LGBTQIA+ Rugby Club and a founding member of International Gay Rugby (IGR) we’ve helped hundreds of LGBTQIA+ and straight players discover, or return, to rugby by promoting the sport through projects such as Comic Relief’s Try For Change or England Rugby’s Spirit of 2012 and we continue to recruit players regardless of their gender, sexuality, background, or rugby experience. You don’t have to be gay to be a Spartan. Our grassroots club is uniquely equipped to teach LGBTQIA+ adults how to play rugby. We rely on the kindness and donations of the community to allow us to improve the physical and mental health of our members and build a community of adults with a common love of Rugby.

The Cause

The Bingham Cup is the world championship of inclusive rugby, named in memory of Mark Bingham, a gay rugby player who died on United Flight 93 during the 9/11 attacks. It's a biennial tournament and the largest amateur tournament of it's kind in the world, that celebrates diversity and inclusion within Rugby, bringing together gay and inclusive rugby teams from across the globe. The tournament also promotes acceptance and breaks down stereotypes about LGBTQIA+ individuals. Manchester Village Spartans Rugby Union FC are fundraising to travel to the tournament being held in Brisbane in August 2026. We work hard to offer subsidy to our players as part of our ethos of making the sport as inclusive as possible. We will be running many fundraisers, events, and project to help us achieve our ultimate goal of taking as many players, supporters, and coaches as possible, to represent England, the North West, and Manchester on the global stage of Rugby.

What to keep an eye out for?

We have many events planned in 2026, to feed into and run alongside this project, as well as all of your generous individual donations. Some things we have done and are planning to do this year include our Marathon Marshalling volunteers, as well as club members running the Manchester Marathons. We have quizzes, player-led fundraisers including lifting an A380 and tandem bike ride! We also have pitch-side drinks and confectionary, as well as bake sales, Maker's Markets, and many more including our very popular, hotly anticipated annual Easter Bash! 

By donating to our project and club, you are committing to our cause and showing true Spartan behaviour. You are with us, you are helping us achieve our goals, you are a Spartan! #ILBAS (I love Being a Spartan).

Funding method

Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made by 1st August 2026 at 6:21pm