EAST Anglia’s first gay and inclusive rugby team has returned triumphant from its first international tournament.
Rugby teams from across Europe gathered in Birmingham for the International Gay Rugby’s Union Cup – and the Colchester Kings were among them.
The club, which was founded in June 2022 and has welcomed more than 100 members, participated in the tournament with two teams competing.
The two teams did exceptionally well, finishing second and fourth in their respective groups.
More than 50 people, including supporters, made the journey from Colchester to the West Midlands, including the Kings’ forward and back of the tournament, Gary Coombs and Connor Davies, and James Silverstone, who was crowned the team’s most improved player.
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Sam Biscoe, who founded the team, said he was “so impressed” with his teammates.
“We’ve gone from not very many people to a lot of people in a short space of time,” said Sam.
He added: “I’m supremely proud of everyone’s grit and determination to show the rest of the country what’s possible.
“I was worried initially it would be just me and a few people tossing a ball around, but it’s been great to see the growth in people since we started.”
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