Go Storm!
Phoenix rugby team visits Dublin for the Bingham Cup
By Andrew J Shainker
Arizona's gay rugby team competed in Dublin, Ireland for a three-day competition against 32 other teams at the Bingham Cup this summer, winning two out of the five matches.
Twenty-six individuals, including partners, coaches and players, attended this year's tournament. The Phoenix Storm, a 30-member all-male team, practices twice a week in order to train for this big event.
Jeremy Ballard, a player for The Phoenix Storm since October, traveled to Dublin as the fly half for the team.
"I am basically the quarterback. Players depend on me to get the ball down the field," Ballard said.
The Phoenix Storm competed against teams from around the world, including Copenhagen and Toronto, taking both victories in Dublin.
The matches played were set in divisions known as The Shield, The Bowl, The Plate, and the championship round, The Cup. Each game has two 40-minute halves with 15 members from each team on the field at one time. The Phoenix Storm nearly advanced to the Bowl division, but was defeated by the Washington Renegades.
For many of these players, the experience has been life changing. Ruben Grace has lost more than 47 pounds since beginning to play.
"I think about what I eat and how much I need to exercise,” Grace said. “Every team member is an asset."
The Phoenix Storm never lost by more than a few points for any of the given games.
"We played teams that were raised around this sport since birth, yet we held our own," Grace said.
Jacob Mayer, team manager for the Phoenix Storm, attended the competition with his partner Tony Alanzo, who has been playing on the team for the last four years. Mayer was able to create numerous fundraising events from car washes to candle sales in order to procure a spot in this year's event.
"To register one player for this competition it cost $150,” Mayer said. “We were able to secure more than $5,000 before even heading to Dublin."
The Bingham Cup was started in 2002 in memory of Mark Kendall Bingham, an avid rugby player for the San Francisco Fog, who lost his life on United flight 93 on Sept. 11, 2001. The Bingham Cup has been played all over the world, from San Francisco to London breaking stereotypes, and bringing strangers together under one common goal.
The Phoenix Storm is looking for a new head coach. For more information about the Phoenix Storm, visit www.phoenixstorm.org/.
The Phoenix Storm held their annual award’s banquet to celebrate their 2007-08 season July 12. The following is a list of the winners.
MOST IMPROVED
Ruben Grace
STORM BUILDER AWARD
The Claremont House
Cell Block
STORM ANGEL AWARD
Doug Halloway
STORM CHASER AWARD
Jay Mayer
STORM SPIRIT AWARD
Ruben Grace & Orlando Ayon
PLAYERS OF THE YEAR
FORWARDS: Dave Riach & Tony Alonzo
BACKS: Mike Garver & Jeremy Ballard
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2008 STORM BARBIES
Twin Tower Barbie
Donald McKenzie & Darren Lannon
Sniff & Hunt Barbie
Kolton Fox
Dream Barbie
Bryan English
Super Man Barbie
Joe Tapp
Off-Shore Storm Barbie
Nate Tipton
Poet Laureate Barbie
Rob Purington
All or Nothing Barbie
Shane O'Brien
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