Mr Notley-Smith will tonight officially welcome visitors to our Harbour City for the Gay Rugby World Cup.

“Sydney will become just the seventh city in the world, and the first in the southern hemisphere, to host the Bingham Cup.” Mr Notley-Smith said.

“I am delighted to welcome all players, officials and fans to Sydney and NSW. Over three days a spectacular showcase of rugby will be on display with host team, the Sydney Convicts, defending their 2012 Gay Rugby World Championship against interstate and international rivals.

“The NSW Government, through its tourism and major events agency Destination NSW, is proud to support the Bingham Cup and reinforces our status as the sporting capital of Australia.

International and interstate players, officials and supporters began arriving in Sydney earlier this week for the rugby tournament, which will take place from Friday 29 to Sunday 31 August at Woollahra Ovals No 1, 2 and 3, and Lyne Park in Rose Bay.

Ms Upton said the Bingham Cup brings all the excitement and sportsmanship of an international competition to Woollahra Oval.

“The Bingham Cup is as much about sporting excellence on the field, as it is about inclusion off the field,” Ms Upton said.

“Through sporting events like this we make our communities stronger and more diverse.

“Congratulations to the organisers who have put on what will undoubtedly be the best Bingham Cup to date and best of luck to our Sydney Convicts!”

The Bingham Cup is named after Mark Bingham, a member of the San Francisco gay rugby union team who died on board United Airlines Flight 93 during the September 11 tragedy. For more information, please visit binghamcup.com.au or facebook.com/bingham2014

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