LATEST
CLUB
NEWS
Spartans Club Captain attends England Training Camp
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
Rob Cox Tribute
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.
New Executive Committee
An introductory message from Joshua Sanderson-Kirk, our newly appointed Club Chair.
Touch interview on TikTok
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
Manchester Pride Weekend 2023
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
Rob Cox
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.
Transmanian Devils play historic 1st match
Read the match report for The Transmanian Devils’ first rugby match and the first in Europe for a wholly Trans team – hosted by Manchester Village Spartans, buddy club and pioneers of LGBT+ sport equality.
Nominations for Treasurer of IGR
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
Spartans provide guest blog for Sport England’s Pride Month Campaign
Spartans’ Chair on the impact that promoting diversity and inclusivity within rugby union, and all sport, can have both on and off the field.
Spartans Stars in Their Eyes Raise Dazzling £2k+ for Charity
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
Spartans 2XV-A’s v Newcastle Ravens 1XV
A match report by AJ Vergette reporting from Sale Sports Club.
Spartan’s 2XV-B’s v Sheffield Vulcans
A match report by AJ Vergette reporting from Dore Moor.
Spartans 2XV-Bs v York RI Templars
A match report by AJ Vergette reporting from Sale Sports Club.
David Smyth – A Pioneer of Gay & Inclusive Rugby
Today, the Spartans say goodbye to David Smyth, our club’s first coach and an instrumental character in the development of what has become IGR International Gay Rugby.
Spartans 1XV v Didsbury 3XV
A NORWIRUL Division 4 East match report by Tyler from the Spartans’ 1XV at Sale Sports Club
John Whitaker
All of us at the Spartans are incredibly sad to have learnt of the passing of our former player, brother in rugby, and life long ally, John Whittaker. John battled with
Encouraging Transgender & LGBT inclusion in grassroots rugby
Pioneering Manchester Gay Rugby Club aims to help grassroots rugby clubs better understand transgender and LGBT player issues. Manchester Village Spartans RUFC are producing materials for distribution by their friends
Spartans getting ready for a return to rugby
As the Spartans get ready to train all together again from March 29th following the national lockdowns, we thought we’d catch up with some of the team to find out
Halloween Training raises £300 for Youth Charity.
Spartans’ Union and O2 Touch squads joined forces on Saturday to raise funds for Mermaids, an incredible charity that has been supporting trans and gender-diverse children, young people and their families since 1995.
Covid-19 Club Update
Updated Friday 23rd October Information for players attending Rugby Union Practice / O2 Touch Rugby training during Tier 3. We remain at Stage D on the Roadmap. RFU guidance as
Club Statement about Trans* Exclusion
The Spartans fully support the statement issued by IGR International Gay Rugby in response to the alarming policy decision that was announced by World Rugby last night regarding the exclusion of Transgender Players.
1XV Rugby Coach
We’re looking to recruit a passionate First-team Rugby Union Coach to work with our Director of Rugby and train our 1XV Union Squad who compete at Level 11 in the NWIL Division 4 East.
New Player FREE* Training
We’re taking on new players from total novices to experienced competitors looking for a new club. Apply for up to 4 weeks training with us FREE* here.
Returning to training
LATEST UPDATES FROM ENGLAND RUGBY The club will be releasing some information about our own return to rugby following the successful, measured and limited restart of O2 Touch Rugby training
Spartans kick start the Isolation NHS Marathon
We’ll be getting Manchester’s mamoth 13-hour Isolation NHS Marathon up and running from 11am tomorrow with a fitness session for everyone!
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT – CORONAVIRUS / COVID19
Please read our club announcement concerning the cancellation of all forthcoming club fixtures, training and social events.
Results Sat 14th March
Our 1XV Halbro Northwest Intermediate League Division 3 South fixture away at Capenhurst ended with the home side’s 1XV winning 52:26 in a good match over in Chester West. Meanwhile, the
Important Club Notice: Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Please read the following important information regarding Coronavirus (COVID-19). Last updated Friday 13th March at 11:18am.
Pioneers’ Cup stays with KXS
The trophy will stay in London for the Steelers 25th birthday.
2XV v Typhoons of Lancashire
Photos from the last match before the first Covid 19 Pandemic Lockdown.
PHOTOS 2XV v CONGLETON
The 2XVs were the Spartans in action bringing the excitement of the game to the spectators on the sideline today at Sale Sports Club. Although the more experienced Vets team
Statement of support for Village Manchester FC
Manchester Village Spartans RUFC would like to express our solidarity with Village Manchester Football Club after multiple incidents of homophobia and discrimination were aimed at their players. In the current
RESULTS 18TH JANUARY 2020
A strong Newcastle Ravens squad took home the victory today at Sale Sports Club with an final result in the IGR UK League match of Spartans 12:80 Newcastle. Down in
RESULTS 11TH JANUARY
Manchester Village Spartans 1XV v Leek 2XV at Sale Sports Club A depleted, injury-hit 1XV played an exception 2nd match against Leek’s 2XV today at home at Sale Sports Club
Give O2 Touch or Union Rugby a try.
We’re an RFU-Accredited Rugby Club and were one of the world’s first Gay and Inclusive Rugby Clubs having been established back in 1999. This January we’re welcoming any new players
Spartans step up for MCR World Aids Day Re-Run
Spartans’ players, supporters and their friends across Manchester’s Gay Village, truly embodied the theme of this year’s World Aids Day, providing ample proof that ‘Communities make the difference’. Following the
RESULTS SAT 7TH DECEMBER
Check out the results for both our Union teams after a great day of rugby.
Results Sat 30th November
Check out the result from this great match versus the Vets at Congleton Rugby Club on Rainbow Laces day 2019.
Introducing the Worldwide Roar
We’re pleased to support our friends at Sport Allies who wanted to let us know all about the launch of the Worldwide Roar. Warwick Rowers relaunches today as the Worldwide Roar
Spartans support Alaska and Willam on stage
Click to read more about how the Spartans were invited up on stage at the Manchester leg of Race Chaser Live tour.
Results Sat 23rd November 2019
Today’s match at home for the 1st XV ended in a 19:54 win to the visitors Capenhurst RUFC who move up into 2nd position in the Halbro Northwest Intermediate League Divsion
Results Saturday 16th November
The Halbro Sportswear League Division 3 South match against Birkenhead Park Rugby Club a.k.a the Tigers) 31:19 Manchester Village Spartans 1st XV IGR UK Friendlies League – Manchester Village Spartans 2nd
Sefton at Home – Match Postponed
Unfortunately, due to the heavy rain this week, our pitch is severely waterlogged so the match tomorrow (Saturday 9th Nov) against Sefton 2xv has been postponed. We’ll advise of the
We play rugby
If Saturday’s World Cup Final has got you thinking about returning to rugby after a break, or giving the sport a go for the first time, get in touch.
Watch England’s Semi at Sale Sports Club
With a kick off at 9am UK time, plenty of Spartans are getting up early and going down to our brand new club house at Sale Sports Club to watch England’s Semi-final on the big screen.
CANCELLED: Spartans 2s v Manchester 3s
Spartans 2nd XV host Manchester RUFC 3’s in a friendly on Saturday 26th Oct at Sale Sports Club. KO 3pm following the England v New Zealand Rugby World Cup Semi-Final that kicks off at 9am and can be watched on the Big Screen at our brand new clubhouse.
Friendly O2 Touch Match – Typhoons v Spartans
The Village Spartans O2 Touch squads travel up to Preston Grasshoppers on Friday evening to play an Autumn friendly against Typhoons of Lancashire RUFC in their first friendly against another International Gay Rugby Team this season. KO 7:15pm. #02Touch #O2TouchRugby
Spartans talk Inclusive Rugby at Freshfields
Spartans take part in a ‘Lunch and Learn’ session organised by the Halo (LGBT+) Committee at Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP to present an overview of the club and help stimulate discussion around the topic of LGBT+ participation in sport.
NIGEL OWENS TO REF RUGBY WORLD CUP SEMI-FINAL
A few months after refereeing the Spartans in the 2019 Union Cup Final in Dublin, Nigel Owens is set to ref the Rugby World Cup Semi-final on Saturday between England and New Zealand in Yokohama on Saturday from 9am. Watch the match live on the big screen at Sale Sports Club. Pre-order a big Full English from manager@salesportsclub.com or order a Half-Time Barm on arrival.
RESULTS SATURDAY 19TH OCTOBER
The Spartans 1st XV came away from their away match against Knutsford RUFC with a close 17:19 win in this exciting and great match in Division 3 South of the Halbro Northwest Intermediate Leagues on Saturday October 19th moving them up in the table after this much needed and worthy win.
Sale Sharks help Spartans celebrate IGR Anniversary
Manchester Village Spartans RUFC, one of the world’s first gay and inclusive rugby clubs, were welcomed to the AJ Bell Stadium on Saturday 5th October to help them mark the
New Short-Film about Spartans launches on Sky Sports
An emotive, beautifully shot, short-film has been released on Sky Sports that follows the Village Spartans on tour at The Union Cup in Dublin. Produced by Sport Allies and London Film School as part of the “Spotlight” series of films, the six-minute film is available to view on Sky Sports now.
UK’s 1st Draft-style Summer Touch Rugby Tournament
Summer Touch Rugby gets an exciting, new and ultr-sociable, Draft-Style tournament for the UK. Pioneers in Inclusive Rugby, The Manchester Village Spartans RUFC are proud to have teamed up with
Spartans reveal new 2019 kit in video
Our new playing kit celebrates our passion for our local Manchester and LGBT community. We’re pleased to reveal our brand new playing kit for 2019 which has been designed by
New Year Taster Sessions
Get 2019 off to a healthy start! We’re welcoming new players to our Rugby Union training and 02 Touch Rugby training sessions this January. Whether you’re an absolute beginner with
Spartans Christmas Dinner 2018 Photos
Huge thanks to the gang at Sale Sports Club for a top evening and great food for over 60 people…. not forgetting to say a big thanks to our sponsors
Manchester Spartans on BBC Rugby Union Weekly Podcast
Two Spartans appear on BBC Radio’s Rugby Union Weekly Podcast, talking about our involvement in Sport Relief’ Try For Change and the club history and impact on players of all sexualities on and off the field.
Spartans meet HRH Prince Harry and play with England Rugby Heroes at Twickenham
Manchester Village Spartans Try For Change participants enjoy a day meeting HRH Prince Harry and playing rugby with England Rugby stars at Twickenham
The 2015 Union Cup Tour – Brussels, Belgium. 21st -25th May
Information about the Spartans Tour to the IGR Bingham Cup in Brussels 2015.
Spartans Response to Homophobic Attack
Manchester Village Spartans RUFC release a statement about a player was the victim of a homophobic attack on 1st November 2014.
