With little exposure to the world of rugby, many Americans are totally baffled by the rules and concepts behind the game. The Armada Rugby Football Club is changing that. Not only are they changing how San Diegans see the game, but also how the other teams see the LGBT community.
Rugby has been played throughout the world for about 200 years, with the first game reportedly being played in 1823. And even though the first gay rugby team was formed by London’s Kings Cross Steelers in 1995, the game did not catch on in our community until after Sept. 11, 2001.
“What really transformed the explosion of gay rugby and the start of the International Gay Rugby Association and Board (IGRAB) was Mark Bingham’s death. Mark Bingham was a gay rugby player and was one of the passengers that rebelled against the hijackers in Flight 93 during the 9/11 attacks,” said the Armada’s coach, Carlos Legaspy. “That prompted IGRAB to create a tournament called The Bingham Cup, which over the years has grown to be the largest amateur rugby tournament in the world, gay or straight.”
The local team was formed in 2004, a few years later. They are just one of almost 40 IGRAB-affiliated gay teams that play throughout the U.S. and around the world.
“Like all of the teams in IGRAB, the Armada plays in local straight leagues,” Legaspy said. “We play all over southern California, as far north as Mammoth as far east as Vegas.”
As the league grows, so does the acceptance of a gay rugby team.
“At the beginning, back in the early days, there were some reservations. There was still a certain amount of homophobia because rugby is a very physical sport. But over the years, it doesn’t matter. Right now, the (Armada) team is half gay and half straight, which is fantastic,” Legaspy said.
The Armada is half-way into their current season, but the coach says they always welcome new players, regardless of skill level. He is happy to introduce them to the game and teach them how to play.
“We are always open to new members. We have stuff going on year around,” Legaspy said. “There are no tryouts. You just show up for practice. Most of my guys have never played rugby before joining the team, and I am happy to teach them.”
To learn more about the game, the current season, or how to join, visit their website at sdarmada.org. Come out and support San Diego Armada as they take on Los Angeles Rebellion on their home pitch at Ocean Beach.
