McGill and Partners will continue to sponsor the Kings Cross Steelers and ELRFC Vixens, the world’s first gay-inclusive rugby union club, for another two years. The firm first began backing the club two years ago, during which time both teams have seen numerous successes.
Gus Fraser, newly elected Chair of the Kings Cross Steelers said: “As a player and club captain I have seen first-hand the impact our partnership has had on the ability of the club to deliver on the pitch. Ensuring we have professional coaching, physio, and equipment support, in a long league and competition year, has led to the results we have seen. Now as Chair of the club, having the partnership of McGill and Partners in our shared campaign for inclusion in business, sport, and society is invaluable and I look forward to what we can achieve next.”
Stephen Cross, Group COO, and Head of Strategy & Innovation at McGill and Partners said: “Team spirit is at the heart of McGill and Partners. We strongly advocate for a fully inclusive workplace which is why the partnership with the Kings Cross Steelers and Vixens was a great fit for us. We’re able to cross business with sport and share mutual values regarding the greater need for diversity and inclusion in sport and more broadly. I’m so impressed with the success of all the teams at Kings Cross Steelers and I have no doubt the success with continue into the next season.”
A full list of the winning matches is below: –
- London Pride 7s 2021 and also placing in the Top 4 in 2022
- Bingham Cup & Hoagland Cup Ottawa 2022
- Union Cup & Union Plate Birmingham 2023
In addition, the teams have taken part in the following LGBTQI+ inclusive tournaments:
- 1st XV – Counties 2 Essex Level 8 RFU League finishing 3rd in the league.
- 2nd & 3rd XV – Essex Merit Table levels 4 & 5 respectively
- 4th XV – IGR (International Gay Rugby) Southern Development League.
East London RFC Vixens also competed in the Women’s NC1 East League finishing mid-table.