On November 26, 2006, IGRAB’s member clubs unanimously voted to add its 29th member, the Minneapolis Mayhem. IGRAB has experienced enormous growth, growing out of an informal group of representatives from just five gay-friendly rugby clubs in London, Manchester, Washington DC, Buenos Aires and San Francisco approximately four years ago.

“IGRAB recently amended its constitution to deal with the growth in membership,” said IGRAB Chair Dean Knight. “Clubs are forming in Europe, and there’s interest in other countries. IGRAB encourages them all to contact us for help and advice on creating and maintaining a rugby club. We want every club to be successful,” he added.

Any gay-friendly rugby club seeking information, or which wants to become a voting IGRAB member or simply recognized by IGRAB should contact one of IGRAB’s New Team Liaison officers:

• New Teams Liaison Co-ordinator Scott Glaessgen
• Deputy New Team Liaison (Europe) Jonathan Fish
• Deputy New Team Liaison (North American West) Derrick Mickle

In addition, IGRAB caters to individual players outside the reach of established teams. Raimundo Martinez is IGRAB’s New Player Liaison and delegate for the Worldwide Barbarians team. Contact Rai if you want more information about this team or otherwise want to contribute to IGRAB.

In the months after the Bingham Cup in London, IGRAB voted in several clubs as full members. IGRAB chair Dean Knight announced that the following clubs have already been admitted, and offered congratulations (some belated) to all these clubs:

• Brisbane Hustlers (Brisbane, Australia)
• Charlotte Royals (Charlotte NC, USA)
• Chicago Dragons (Chicago, IL, USA)
• Phoenix Storm (Phoenix, AZ, USA)
• Portland Avalanche (Portland, OR, USA)
• San Diego Armada (San Diego, CA, USA)

Knight added that other teams are up and running in many other cities, especially in Europe. Teams known to be practicing and playing include Bristol (UK) Bisons, Copenhagen (Denmark) Scrum, Malmö (Sweden) Devilants, Les Valents de Montpellier, France and teams in Grenoble, France, and Cardiff, Wales.