News Release
For Immediate Release
OVER 70 RUGBY PLAYERS PLAY FOR EQUALITY IN THE MIDWEST
ST. LOUIS (March 26, 2018) — On the weekend of April 7, the St. Louis Crusaders welcome over 70 other rugby players for their Spring Fever tournament. The team is part of the International Gay Rugby network dedicated to promoting equality and diversity in sports through rugby. Competitions, like Spring Fever, help to foster an environment of inclusion in the host cities and throughout the region. Other teams in the network participating include the Columbus Kodiaks, the Dallas Lost Souls, the Madison Minotaurs, and the Milwaukee Beer Barons. The tournament events happen over two days. A welcome ceremony takes place at Just John Nightclub on Friday, April 6 starting at 7 p.m. and competition play begins Saturday, April 7 from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. in Forest Park at Cricket Field next to the Visitor Center.
"Homophobia and transphobia aren't dead in sports," said Robert Fischer, the team's president. "In rugby, there have been incidents on an international level, in our network of teams, and a few of our players have experienced it during games in passing. Tournaments like Spring Fever bring together IGR teams from across the country to rally behind one idea — we might be gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer but we don't play any differently than anyone else.”
Tournament play on Saturday begins with pool play from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. Lunch is provided for all participating players, and then the final games happen from 1-4 p.m. The team welcomes the public to Just John’s on Friday night to greet the other four teams. Additionally, there is no admission fee to watch tournament play on Saturday.
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About St. Louis Crusaders:
Founded in 2009, the St. Louis Crusaders are a USA Rugby and International Gay Rugby men's team dedicated to the promotion of equality and diversity in sports through rugby. The team is a Division IV social team in the Mid-America Rugby Union and is the only IGR team within the seven states of the union. It welcomes all men ages 18 and older regardless of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, height, weight, build, and the level of fitness or experience. For more information, visit crusadersrfc.org.