Sydney Convicts ready to take it all off at Rugger Bugger: Sweatbox - Australia Gay News Network

New and seasoned members of the Sydney Convicts are excited to take it all off at their next naked fundraiser, Rugger Bugger. Reg Domingo reports. It's been an eventful year for the Sydney Convicts to say the least. Their efforts as the host club of the 2014 Bingham Cup produced not only a memorable gay rugby tournament, they also instigated significant conversations around changing our sporting culture. Indeed, through Bingham Cup Sydney, major sporting codes in Australia agreed to sign a landmark anti-homophobia policy, and the world’s first international study on homophobia in sport was launched. Results from the study have just been released and they will undoubtedly help in making sporting fields safer and more inclusive places for everyone.

Now, the club has set their sights on defending the Bingham Cup next year in Nashville, Tennessee. And to help the boys get there, the Convicts are holding their annual naked fundraiser Rugger Bugger this Saturday night at The Shift Club. With shows produced by Charisma Belle and Decoda Secret, threads by Addicted Underwear, and sexy images by Markham Lane, it’s shaping up to be their sexiest Rugger Bugger yet.

Above: Cable Albrecht, Luke Urquhart and Brennan Bastyovanszky are all set for Rugger Bugger. Photos: Markham Lane

Brennan Bastyovanszky, 36, will be among those taking to the stage. He first performed in Rugger Bugger in 2012.

“I was amazing to see such support from the community, but nerve racking to dance naked in front of 500 people,” Brennan recalls of the first time. “But you just have to own it.”

This will be Brennan’s fourth season with the Convicts, a club that offers him a sense of kinship and camaraderie.

“I love that they have a passion for rugby, but are openly gay,” Brennan says. “It helped me come to terms with being a gay rugby player and improved my feeling of self-worth.”

For Brennan, playing with the Convicts during the Bingham Cup was “surreal”.

“It was always a dream of mine to play and win in an international rugby tournament. It was an emotional event and winning in front of a home crowd made it that much better.”

And he is looking forward to Bingham Cup in Nashville next year.

Above: The Convicts take it off at Rugger Bugger in 2014. Photo: Hamid Mousa

“The Convicts intend to take three teams to compete for the pride of Sydney and to defend our title as World Champions.”

Cable Albrecht is one of the Sydney Convicts newest recruits. He recently joined after moving from Brisbane, where he was a member of the city’s gay rugby club, the Brisbane Hustlers.

“I think I can learn a lot about the game [from the Convicts],” Cable says. “Being a gay team, I think the club has opportunity to paint gay men in a less stereotypical light. It's good to be part of that.”

Cable had previously participated in a similar naked fundraiser in Brisbane so has no qualms about taking things off in Sydney.

Above: The Convicts take it off at Rugger Bugger in 2014. Photo: Hamid Mousa

“I performed in the Hustlers version two years ago so it'll be alright,” he says.

For fellow new recruit Luke Urquhart, it will be a new experience, both on and off the field.

While Luke, 23, has been playing league since he was a very young age, this season will be his first playing rugby union.

And the Convicts have been the perfect club to introduce him to the game.

“My experience with the club has been seamless and I could not have asked for anything more,” Luke says.

Above: The Convicts take it off at Rugger Bugger in 2014. Photo: Hamid Mousa

“As you could imagine I didn't know the rules of the sport so I needed the support to ensure I could perform on the field. It’s always an exciting experience whenever you join a new team.”

Exciting, indeed, and nerve-wracking. It will be Luke’s first Rugger Bugger.

“Am I excited? Yes.Am I nervous? Of course, I am! How often do I stand on stage and get naked? Never.

“I’m currently going through a mix bag of emotions but I am really excited to part take in Rugger Bugger and strip naked with the rest of my team mates.” Rugger Bugger: Sweatbox is on Saturday, May 23, at The Shift Club, 85-91 Oxford Street, Darlinghurst. Tix from iwannaticket.com.au . Doors open 9pm. Shows from 10pm.

GALLERY: Check out photos from last year's Rugger Bugger. Photos: Hamid Mousa

Author Reg Domingo