About Us
The world's first rugby club for gay and bisexual men was founded at a meeting which took place in Central Station, a gay pub in London's King's Cross district on 1 November 1995. The "Steelers" part of the name came about because many of the club's founder members were keen fans of American Football. The Steelers' claim to the title of the "world's first gay rugby club" is based on the fact that South Africa's Jamieson Raiders (founded in 1985) are an annual invitation team, rather than a registered club playing seasonal fixtures. Additionally, the Sydney-based POOFTAs (also founded in 1985) play touch rugby rather than matches under the Union Code.
Training started at the beginning of 1996 and the club joined the Surrey County Union in the summer of 1996. The first game under RFU rules took place on 21 September 1996 when we played Orleans Former Pupils at Stawberry Hill (lost 92-10), followed by London Cornish 3 a week later.
Kings Cross Steelers RFC first played in Irish green and royal blue inverse quarters shirts, blue shorts and plain blue socks. The Change Strip shirts are burgundy and royal blue inverse quarters.
Chairman's Message
Welcome to the Steelers!
This year the Kings Cross Steelers will celebrate 15 years since a group of people formed the club, in a pub in Kings Cross. This will be another landmark in our club’s proud history.
We start the year off as Champions of Europe after winning the Union Cup in May. The club hosted this tournament as part of our commitment to our Community. Our First XV will be playing in the Essex League 2 again this season. We welcome our club mates, the Phantoms to this league. The Second XV will play again in the Essex Merit table.
The new seasons affords us the opportunity to renew friendships with teams and players we have met before and to forge relationships with new ones. Both teams have a full fixtures list so you can be guaranteed the Steelers will be playing somewhere most weekends. Have a look at the list on the site, come on down to a game and you will find a welcome on the sideline. Simply ask for a committee member and we will introduce you to other supporters.
If you are interested in playing, either as an experienced player wanting to get back into the game, or a complete novice interested in trying the game, we have a full training programme. Training nights are Monday and Wednesday at our clubhouse in West Ham. Come on down and have a look and see if it is what you want.
Finally - If there is one thing that the Steelers do well, it is to PARTY! We have a full social calendar open to all members. In addition to this you will find Steelers in pubs in London, but mainly our sponsor Comptons of Soho.
Come on down and meet us.
Timothy Sullivan
Chairman
Kings Cross Steelers RFC
Mission Statement
The vocation of the Kings Cross Steelers Rugby Football Club is primarily to provide the opportunity for gay and bisexual men to play and enjoy ever-improving standards of rugby. As the world's first gay rugby team, our mission is to assert in front of the whole rugby community our value as competitive sportsmen through our progress and results. Our Club aims to be a role model to the gay community, and a successful example of friendly cohabitation between people of different sexual orientation.
The Club will strive:
- To ensure that it develops the self-confidence and motivation of all its players
- To field a team that plays and enjoys competitive senior rugby
- To supply an alternative platform for those desiring to play social rugby
- To provide structured training at various levels to advance the abilities of all players joining the Club
- To provide an environment where gay and bisexual men can feel comfortable about their sexuality whilst pursuing their interest in rugby.
- To actively encourage new and former players, especially where they may have been discouraged by prejudice
- To encourage, develop and integrate the Club's supporters
- To provide an active social programme for the enjoyment of players and supporters
