A huge success! Inclusive rugby weekend attended by over 50 international FLINTA* rugby players.
The inaugural FLINTA* Rugby weekend, organized and hosted by the Berlin Bruisers FLINTA* Rugby team, was a resounding success. Players came from several different European countries to play rugby in an space that was explicitly inclusive of trans and gender nonconforming players. Teams in attendances included the Amsterdam Lowlanders, BSV, Stockholm Berserks, Brighton & Hove Sea Serpents RFC, Berlin Bruisers, Berlin Irish, and SG Fortuna/Lübeck.
The weekend kicked off on the Friday night with registration and welcome drinks at Südblock in Berlin Kreuzberg. The next day was packed with activities: the morning started with a rugby clinic, followed by a delicious lunch catered by our own Berlin Bruisers president, then we were treated to an informative talk about trans inclusion in sport by Blair Hamilton, mixed matches of 7s and 15s, and the evening ended with a raffle at our partner Schwuz Queer Club. On Sunday participants took part in a workshop on how to stand up to transphobia on and off the rugby pitch, followed by some light touch rugby.
The weekend was over all too quickly, and everyone was sad to say goodbye so soon. But the feedback was already pouring in: This cannot be the last FLINTA* rugby weekend. The Bruisers are happy to have been able to provide an empowering and joyful space for FLINTA* people to play rugby and connect, and are excited to see the event continue on in coming years.
What people had to say about the FLINTA* Rugby Weekend 2023: "FLINTA* Rugby Love" "See you in the future!" "I want to do it again!!!!!!!!"
"I really enjoyed it and hope it becomes an annual event either always in Berlin or traveling." "I LOVED IT and it felt so good to spend the weekend with rugby and the community 🏳️⚧️🏳️🌈" "Thanks for organising! Loved that we could create a safe and fun space for people to enjoy rugby" "Please make sure this tournament happens again!" "thank you so so much"
