Hide and Seek

31 Aug 2016

EXCLUSIVE: Melbourne Chargers break their silence

Interviews, News & Politics, Society & Culture

LISTEN TO PODCAST NOW

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 34:52 — 24.7MB) | Embed

EXCLUSIVE: Melbourne Chargers break their silence

Melbourne’s inclusive Ruby team the Melbourne Chargers achieved the highest of highs and the lowest of lows during their recent trip to Nashville, Tennessee.

For the last 8 years, the Sydney Convicts have held The Bingham Cup, a prized trophy awarded to the winners of the bi-annual International Gay Ruby tournament of the same name. In years past, Melbourne’s gay team have struggled to get a score on the board. Year by year, the club, its players, coaches, administration and leadership have bit by bit, quietly worked on the total package.

In May of 2016, over 80 people made the trek from Melbourne to Nashville, Tennessee USA to play, coach, help and watch the 8th Bingham Cup Tournament.
The Melbourne Chargers entered two teams, some heading to the States for their first tournament and over three days of competition, gay and inclusive teams from around the world competed in one of the largest amateur rugby tournaments in the world.

The Chargers A side competed against the Sydney Convicts, the current reigning champions in the final, taking it 20-7. An extraordinary win that most never expected – especially under the circumstances.

Just two days before the tournament was to begin, Chargers President Daniel Syrus received a phone call – a call that had the potential to derail any hope of winning the Bingham Cup in 2016.

Michael Quinn, one of his players, had been arrested in a sting operation at an LA Hotel. Charged with one count of attempted sex trafficking of a minor and one count of travelling to the US for the purpose of engaging in illicit sexual conduct with a minor, Quinn was apprehended when trying to pay an undercover officer posing as a pimp, for the services of a 6 year old boy. Quinn faces up to 30 years in a US penitentiary.

Quinn’s recent guilty plea seemingly the final betrayal of his teammates. A team of men that despite the relentless media attention brought about by Quinn’s actions, went on to represent their community, their country and win BIG!

Tonight on Hide and Seek, the President of the Melbourne Chargers, Daniel Syrus and their Head Coach, Neil Hay, break their silence for the first time.