The Emerald Warriors are one of Ireland's first and finest LGBT+ rugby teams and look set to make more history in Rome this summer.
Established in 2003, the club has become one of the country's top LGBT+ inclusive teams and this year will make more history by sending Ireland's first womens+ team to play at a global rugby tournament.
They will be one of four teams traveling for the Bingham Cup - officialy known as the Mark Kendall Bingham Memorial Tournament - which has its opening ceremony on May 22.
A traveling party of roughly 125 people will descened on Rome on behalf of the Emerald Warriors for the biennial competition which is the world championships of gay and inclusive rugby.
Over 140 participating teams and around 10,000 athletes, coaches and supporters will attend the competition in Rome, with the action getting underway on May 23 and continuing through the weekend until Sunday, May 26.
Marion Peltret - who will captain the womens+ squad at the competition shared her pride in what the team has achieved already.
“That's the thing that I'm most proud of is how we have each other's back on and off the pitch,” Marion explained.
“I'm so proud of every player in that team, from the early started in 2023 who stuck around and the newbies who made the team grow. I'm so proud of the strong and safe group we have created, on how we managed to create a team from scratch and make it well. I'm proud that we made this team a team for everyone.”
Azure captain Marion Peltret. Pic: Emerald Warriors
Emerald Warriors President Richie Fagan said, “The Warriors is committed to promoting inclusive rugby and the enjoyment of team sports. As an LGBT+ club it offers more than a nurturing environment for players to excel, but a community where the barriers to participation are lowered so that everyone is welcome.
"Thanks to this culture we will have our largest group ever travelling to the Bingham Cup with four Emerald Warriors teams competing, making us one of the top 5 contingents at this global tournament. We are optimistic as we head into the tournament with the Warriors at its highest ever ranking as an International Gay Rugby (IGR) club.”
Richie Fagan. Pic: Emerald Warriors.
Head Coach Shane Dune is optimistic regarding the four Irish teams' respective chances at the event, expecting what could be their best showing yet.
“This promises to be the best tournament yet for the Emerald Warriors! It is a great honour for all of us to represent our club and country," he said.
"The coaching team have put a lot of planning and effort into training the players during the regular season. As Warriors we are a unique group, capable of anything, nothing is impossible for us. Let’s deliver on our potential.”
