Manchester Village Spartans RUFC

Spartans Club Captain attends England Training Camp

MVSRUFC — Fri, 23 Feb 2024 17:37:58 +0000

Manchester Village Spartans’ Club Captain was invited down to Surrey earlier this week to attend the England Rugby squad’s training session – courtesy of the RFU and Honda – as a thank you for all cj_manc‘s hard work volunteering and helping us continue to grow participation in #inclusiverugby across Manchester and beyond.

Christian wrote, “The Manchester Village Spartans made a dream come true for this ol’gay. Words cannot express how grateful I am for this opportunity but I’m going to try anyway! If I was to go back in time to visit myself as a teenager, mentally struggling to come to terms with my sexuality whilst trying to fit in with the school and local rugby teams; Feeling isolated, left out, that rugby wasn’t safe for me as a gay man… that I would one day be rewarded with a day spent with the England Rugby team and shaking hands with the players I admired from the screen, I’d never believe it… and probably mince away.

But cut to 20 years later (ouch) and I am now the Club Captain and Trainee coach of the Manchester Village Spartans. A team…no a family that welcomed me with open arms 10 years ago this year, and helped me become the confident and outgoing aspiring man I am today. I love every second of being with this team, on and off the pitch (just ask my husband who has learnt to accept my early starts on Saturdays and late nights on Wednesdays). Throughout my time with them I have taken on many roles and responsibilities – working hard to help them raise the profile of rugby in the LGBTQIA+ community and the world of sport! But most importantly, never forgetting how I felt about rugby as a teenager and promised myself to never let anyone feel that way about rugby. So whether it’s someone’s first ‘Try’ at rugby or someone returning after a break. We always want them to feel included, safe and part of the family – A Spartan family!

But thanks to the Manchester Village Spartans committee members and England Rugby along with the ‘Honda Volunteers Recognition Programme’ I was awarded with an all expenses paid trip to travel down to Pennyhill Park (London) – with an overnight stay in a glamorous hotel, then to witness the England Rugby Union Team train from the side lines and then meet them face to face! Rest assured I was like a nervous blushing teenager but they couldn’t have been more friendly and supportive of the work all the volunteers do for the RFU across the country. I even got a few cheeky hugs and pictures that I will treasure forever!

So as I sit here on the long train journey home back to Manchester with the biggest smile on my face I can’t wait to get back on the pitch and play the best sport in the world and continue to encourage others to do the same! Thank you again to Manchester Village Spartans, England Rugby and Honda.

#ILBAS”

As the Spartans look forward to celebrating their 25th Anniversary as pioneers of inclusive rugby later this year and continue their quarter-century offhand work to lower the barriers for members of the LGBT+ and local communities to participate in and enjoy our wonderful sport, we’re so proud to have been represented by Honda and the RFU and especially pleased to see that Christian had a truly brilliant couple of days.

If you want to bring your energy and skills and volunteer in some capacity off the pitch for our growing rugby union and touch club, please email pr@villagespartans.co.uk as we always welcome extra pairs of hands.

If you’d like to Partner with MVSRUFC please email us for an information booklet or to discuss your objectives.

Rob Cox Tribute

MVSRUFC — Fri, 08 Sep 2023 14:00:34 +0000

In August 2023, we lost our much-loved Spartan and close friend to many, Rob Cox.

In honour of ‘Coxy’ and with the permission of his family, Steve, Brad, Peppa and Brett, we are honoured to reproduce this fantastic tribute to the big gentleman.

Rob’s Spartan Tribute

We pick up the story, just before Rob’s 40th birthday. When you join the Manchester Village Spartans, there is no application process, you just show up, many stay, some don’t, but Rob did stay. Many of you will know how connected Rob became to the club, and the friendships he made through it. There are far too many of us, stories, and adventures, to include within a single tribute, but we hope that this might give a little insight into the Rob that we knew… our Coxy, our friend.

Rob joined the Manchester Village Spartans in 2010, it was towards the end of the season whilst the club was in final preparations for the Bingham Cup in Minneapolis – I mean, it’s not like Rob to be late, is it?

Rob was part of a wave of new starters who became, and remained, a central part of the club. His first tour took him to Newcastle, where along with Peppa and Cilla (yes, that really is his name), he embraced his tour virgin duties. Between them, they were provided a doll to mother and protect… Little, however, is known of what happened to poor baby Shaniqua.

Rob embraced the Spartans, and, with his teammates, he travelled the World participating in Bingham & Union Cup tournaments, and then socially with weekends surrounding the European & England rugby fixtures or just for the sake of it. His trips to the Dubai Sevens with the Amsterdam boys were also cherished, and he spoke of them often.

Tours often involved fancy dress, whether it be morph suits, jilted brides, or… shall we say… ladies of the night. As we’ll see later in the rogues gallery of photos at the golf club, Rob embraced this wholeheartedly… It is said by many that drag can make anyone more beautiful, but just like the rest of the Spartans, Rob proved this not to be true.

From that wave of new starters, that Rob was a part of, many became friends. With Brad working at the Britons Protection, and with Rob never one to turn down a free drink, it became a firm watering hole for many years. It was through those nights that Rob, and the rest of his Spartan circle, began to socialise with the landlady Gwen, and regulars such as Adam, Jimmy, and of course Mandi, who shared his love for Eurovision. Of course, Rob’s passion for things large, loud, and camp, didn’t stop at Eurovision, nor did it stop at his ex-partner Nick, it would go on to explain his taste in shirts, and many, many of his friendships.

It would be wrong not to comment on the importance of friends to Rob. His friendship circles were many and varied. He adopted those who sought companionship, and it was unusual for him to arrive at a social event without at least one surprise guest. It didn’t particularly matter whether you had something to talk about, he was happy to talk about anything or nothing, and we often did.

… We saw how, after Rob’s father passed, how he was there for his mum, and how he loved and cared for her… Rob & his mum moved to Bolton, and with Brett nearby, his friendship with Brett and his boys grew stronger, and became a very much valued part of his life.

As a Spartan, Rob was regularly part of the Manchester Pride parade, yet his most important role at Pride was as a participant in the Gay Olympics. His prowess at the Tug-of-War event was… legendary. However, there was one occasion when a dastardly plan from a competing team, saw Rob felled with the contents of a can of baked beans, which he was then unceremoniously dragged through… but hey, he did love to wear orange.

During those social occasions, Rob would, of course, arrive in an Uber, whether that be a 10-mile journey or 10-yards, it really made no difference. On one occasion, on being challenged on why he’d Uber’d just 500 yards, his reply was simple ‘I’m wearing the wrong shoes for walking’.

And if we were away, in a foreign & exotic location, rather than take in the overcrowded tourist traps, he’d invariably drag us to an Irish bar – where we’d almost certainly stay for the whole weekend.

So, when our time comes to climb into our Uber for our final journey, to the big old Irish bar in the sky, Coxy, just to be absolutely clear, it definitely is your round, and we are all expecting a drink to be waiting for us at the bar.

Until next time, matey x

New Executive Committee

MVSRUFC — Fri, 25 Aug 2023 08:17:36 +0000

As our players and members begin celebrating Manchester Pride weekend, the club would like to issue this brief message from Joshua Sanderson-Kirk, our newly appointed Club Chair, leading our new Executive Committee that features familiar Spartan members across a variety of roles representing our Union and Touch sections for Season 23-24.

I am deeply honoured to be the Chair of Manchester Village Spartans RUFC for 2023/24.

I joined the club in 2015 and have seen first hand the incredible impact we can have on new players and those returning to rugby. In that time growth of our touch section has opened up the benefits of being a Spartan to more people than ever. I’d like to thank Gareth, our outgoing Chair, he has presided over an incredible expansion in the club and steered us through some difficult seas. I’m very glad that he has agreed to stay on as our Treasurer this year.

My priorities for the year are;

To consolidate the growth we’ve had in the club, ensuring the Spartans remains an attractive place to play rugby and to volunteer.

I will work to ensure that all members are able to enjoy being a Spartan, no matter their background. That means looking at how we offer financial support to players and members.

Finally I want to continue the work we’ve started to ensure our own club is inclusive of our trans and non-binary members whilst also fighting the Trans ban imposed by World Rugby and the RFU.

I want to say thank you to the outgoing committee for their hard work and welcome our new committee as we begin our work.

View the committee members for Season 2023/24 (including their contact email addresses) here.

Members with an active Direct Debit will be able to observe our forthcoming Committee meetings online (live or recorded) and download the meeting minutes upon request each month as part of our continued commitment to transparent management of the club.

Touch interview on TikTok

MVSRUFC — Tue, 22 Aug 2023 15:15:19 +0000

Check out this nice little piece about our fabulous and growing Inclusive Touch Rugby section by @the.manc on Tik Tok – featuring brief interviews with a splattering of Spartans. Thanks to Ben and team for your on-camera work!

As our new Chair, Joshua Sanderson-Kirk mentioned, it’s a win win because we’re going viral on Tik Tok without any of us having to learn a dance move!

Link to view the video here

Manchester Pride Weekend 2023

MVSRUFC — Mon, 21 Aug 2023 22:39:57 +0000

Here is the booklet for players and members outlining the events over Manchester Pride Weekend that we’ll be gathering as a club for.

Please message Christian, Dein as a player (or supporters@villagespartans.co.uk if you are a Club Supporter with an active membership) with any queries about the events lined up or look out for more details and updates on the Players and Members FB page or Spond / Messenger accordingly.

You can also keep up-to-date with the events on our Club Calendar on the homepage of the website, which you can also ‘subscribe’ and link to your phone or desktop calendar.

Have a marvellous and safe Pride Weekend!

MCR Pride Booklet 2023

Rob Cox

MVSRUFC — Tue, 15 Aug 2023 18:42:26 +0000

It is with great sadness that the club announce the death of Rob Cox, our long-time friend and Spartans player, who passed away today.

Rob has been a fixture in our squads and on the sidelines for well over a decade, ever-present in support of the Spartans and a brilliant friend to anyone lucky enough to have known this gentle giant.

Our hearts go out to his many close friends and family. Please reach out to us if you need any support.

We’ll share more details about how we’ll celebrate his life in due course.

With love,

Manchester Village Spartans RUFC.

Email: care@villagespartans.co.uk

Transmanian Devils play historic 1st match

MVSRUFC — Sat, 29 Jul 2023 17:00:30 +0000

Making History on the Pitch: Transmanian Devils RFC bring to life the meaning of greater inclusivity in rugby.

Manchester, UK

On 29th July 2020, the newly formed Transmanian Devils Rugby Football Club made history by playing their first ever rugby union match against and hosted by, pioneering LGBT+ Inclusive Rugby club, The Manchester Village Spartans RUFC.

This match marked a major milestone for greater inclusivity in sport for the trans and LGBT+ community and is the first Union match to be played by a complete Trans side in Europe.

The friendly match took place at Sale Sports Club as part of the Devils’ inaugural Bootcamp Weekend. Both sides started strong, trading periods of attack and defence in the opening minutes. The Spartans drew first blood with an overlap play down the left wing for the first try and a 1-0 lead.

The Devils responded quickly off the restart with strong runs and smart offloads to utilise the full width of the pitch. A line break on the left led to the Devils’ first ever try, scored by a nimble step from acting scrum-half Eli to even the match at 1-1.

Back and forth play continued until a fast Spartans attack again found the left corner to retake the lead 2-1 before half time. The Devils regrouped and came out firing in the second half, pounding away at the Spartans’ line before scrum-half Felix picked and went over the line to tie it again at 2-2.

More intense play followed as both sides traded turnovers. The Devils finally broke through for their third try via a blindside play to take a 3-2 advantage. However, the Spartans soon responded down the middle to level 3-3 as the final minutes approached.

In a dramatic finish, the Spartans capitalised on a Devils knock-on with a multi-phase attack that created a 3-on-1 overlap for the winning try and a 4-3 final score. Both teams congratulated each other on the historic match before celebrating together post-game.

While the Spartans earned victory on the scoreboard, the true triumph belonged to the Transmanian Devils for this pioneering moment, advancing inclusivity in sport for trans and LGBT+ athletes in Manchester and beyond.

The newly formed club has cemented themselves as leaders in advancing the important rugby values of openness and respect for all – reminding people by pitching up and playing that rugby, and indeed, sport should truly always be “For All”.

Check back shortly for a report on the entire Bootcamp weekend.

#RugbyForAll

Nominations for Treasurer of IGR

MVSRUFC — Thu, 27 Jul 2023 08:13:57 +0000

With Karl Ainscough-Gates standing down after three years of working for IGR, the position of Treasurer is now open for the remaining period of his term.

If you wish to stand for this post, please email trustees@igrugby.org with your self nomination.

This should include a statement of no more than 300 words in support of your nomination, and a letter from your IGR Club confirming support for you to stand a long with confirmation of your membership of the club. Your self nomination should also include confirmation that you meet the “fit and proper person” criteria to be a charity trustee, guidance for which, is available to read HERE.

Nominations will remain open till 9pm GMT on 31/07/23.

Should only one candidate be nominated, they will be deemed elected or should multiple candidates come forward, IGR member clubs will be immediately contacted with a voting form, and have two weeks to vote.

Karl, a long-time Spartan (and Newcastle Raven) and previously our Fixtures Secretary, was, prior to being the IGR’s Treasurer, Chair of International Gay Rugby. As one of the three founding clubs of IGR, it was great to have the Spartans represented on the IGR board as he forged the way forward in the pursuit of greater participation in Gay and Inclusive Rugby across the globe.

Read this 2022 World Rugby article about his tenure at the top and how the IGR navigated the disruption to the sport during the pandemic.

Spartans provide guest blog for Sport England’s Pride Month Campaign

MVSRUFC — Fri, 16 Jun 2023 16:58:34 +0000

In the last few days of Gareth Longley’s, tenure as Chair of Manchester Village Spartans, he wrote a guest article for Sport England on the positive impact that promoting diversity and inclusivity within rugby union, and all sport, can have both on and off the field.

Fostering Unity Beyond the Rugby Pitch

In the world of rugby, the Manchester Village Spartans RUFC has emerged as a shining example of inclusivity and diversity. The club has fostered an open and accepting culture, making it a safe haven for players from all walks of life. Gareth’s guest blog post on Sport England’s website showcased the Spartans’ dedication to embracing diversity on and off the field.

A Safe Haven of Acceptance and Empowerment

Beyond the tackles and scrums, the club has become a tight-knit community where unity and acceptance are embraced. Every player finds a safe space to be their authentic selves. Gareth’s leadership nurtures an environment where judgment and discrimination hold no place, empowering players to shine both on and off the field.

At the heart of Manchester Village Spartans RUFC lies a set of shared values that transcend the game itself. Unity in diversity shapes the club’s ethos, enriching the fabric of their community. Players forge bonds that extend far beyond the game, creating friendships that last a lifetime.

Embracing the Conversation with Sport England

The club is pleased that Sport England has embraced the conversation and provided a means for discussing and promoting greater inclusivity and diversity within rugby and sport.

The Benefits of Inclusivity: Empowering Players On and Off the Field

Our guest slot certainly provided a valuable insight into the benefits of an inclusive approach. Within the team, the embrace of diversity led to a harmonious camaraderie, propelling the Spartans to success. Beyond rugby, the positive impact of inclusivity allowed individuals to thrive in various aspects of life.

A Brighter Future?

Spartans remain a testament to the transformative power of embracing diversity and inclusion. Their commitment to fostering unity in diversity creates an environment where every player feels valued, respected, and empowered.

As Gareth completes his tenure as Chairman, the new committee look forward to building on both the club’s and Gareth’s legacy and remain focused on continuing to celebrate diversity, and being a powerful platform for positive change in rugby, encouraging other clubs to do salong the way towards inclusion.

Read Gareth’s blog on the Sport England website HERE

Spartans Stars in Their Eyes Raise Dazzling £2k+ for Charity

MVSRUFC — Tue, 19 Apr 2022 17:35:51 +0000

There certainly seemed no better way to kickstart a busy Bank Holiday weekend for the Spartans than by popping down to Bar Pop to watch seven stunning Spartans transform themselves into drag superstars for the night, marking the return of our Big Easter Bash, the first since Covid restrictions were lifted and our last “Disney Gone Bad” show back in 2019.

The bash was back with avengeance – with our rugged players generously giving their time to rehearse, shave their beards (amongst other areas) and perform their favourite diva anthems to raise money towards ‘Mermaids’ and the MCR Ukraine Welcome Fund infront of a packed crowd at Bar Pop on Canal Street.

The acts: George Matthew (as Veronica Sawyer from the Heathers musical), Archie Taylor (as Sandy from Grease), Charlie Derbyshire (as Celine Dion), Christian John (as Cheryl Cole), Gazz Pashley (as Christina Aguilera), George Harvey (as Rupaul) and Rory Leventhorpe (as Rihanna), wowed the packed out bar with a star studded performance with incredible choreography and make up thanks to the wonderful Rosie Elizabeth and the Barpop Show Team. And of course we have to mention the sensational host and Barpop owner Mr John Hamilton as the queen of Canal Street – Viva La Diva.

Not only did we have 7 delightful divas perform like pros on stage – but an additional 7 gorgeous players kindly offered themselves to the highest bidder for a date of their choice. Thanks to this, and many kind donations from the attendees and supporters of the club, the event raised over a dazzling £2,500!

A special thank you to everyone who was involved in the show production and to everyone who came to watch! Everyone at the Spartans are so grateful for your generosity, love and kindness along with all your positive comments and pictures from the night.

Our massive Thursday was just the start of a very special weekend for the club.

Once everyone had recovered over what was a pretty fragile Friday, Saturday not only saw our Chair and 1XV Captain (Gareth and Simon) tie the knot at their beautiful marriage and wedding reception in Manchester, but we also sent a strong contingent of Touch players to represent the club at the first IGR UK Touch Tournament at the IGR UK League North Finals Day, hosted by preston-based IGR club, Typhoons of Lancashire.

With George H kindly stepping up as Captain for the Spartans, he led the team to win all 6 matches and win this inaugural IGR Touch Tournament (and the second Touch tournament we’ve won recently).

Hull Roundhead’s squad conceeded their tournament match due to only having 4 players available, but instead of leaving their players without a game, we played a friendly against them with Gazz, David, Levi and Tom from the Spartans swapping shirts to play for Hull.

David and Callum also played for the Ravens for one match and George and Gazz played for Tritons. This is the epitome of the Spartans’ spirit and is just as important as winning the tournament.

So, all in all, after a busy BH, we’re proud that the Spartans spirit was on show throughout this beautiful weekend in Spring. Generousity. Sportsmanship. Love. Laughter.

If you’d like to donate to Mermaids and the MCR Ukraine Welcome Fund you can visit https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/villagespartans

#IGRLeague #Touchrugby #ilbas #inclusiverugby #barpop #morethanrugby

Photos will be posted online soon.