The Tsurumi Brats, Tokyo’s inclusive rugby team, welcoming members of all genders and sexualities, is competing in the Bingham Cup. The Bingham Cup is similar to the World Cup of inclusive rugby. Over 50 International Gay Rugby teams from around the world come to one location to compete for the glory of taking home the prize. Held in Brisbane this year, the Tsurumi Brats are the first team from East Asia to compete in the long-running rugby tournament.
We spoke to our hometown heroes, co-founders Alan Pokluda and Daniel Tallman, to find out more about the Bingham Cup and how important their entry is to Japanese LGBTQ+ sports.
Who are the Tsurumi Brats?
We introduced the Tsurumi Brats back in April 2026, and the team has developed a lot in just a few short months. It has now grown to around 25 official members, as well as having a number of supporters. The team has also deepened its roots in Tokyo’s LGBTQ+ community.
“When we last spoke, we were about to hold our Scrumdump event at Eagle Tokyo Blue,” says Tallman. “It was a huge success, and we managed to raise ¥140,000 to allow us to compete in the Bingham Cup. Three of our teammates — Carlos, Dean, and Ed — performed as drag queens for the first time. Thanks to them, we can fund six people going to the Bingham Cup.”
Established in May 2025, the Tsurumi Brats are now not only going to the Bingham Cup to compete, but are also registered as an official team with the Japan Rugby Federation, recognized by the International Rugby Union in Tokyo, and play in the Setagaya league.
“We’ve played against a lot of teams and competed in some tournaments,” says Pokluda. “A lot of folks now recognize us and are aware of us, and we have had no issues with our identity as an inclusive team.”
For the Bingham Cup, the Tsurumi Brats have teamed the five players they are fielding with the Adelaide University Sharks. The Sharks are an inclusive rugby union team, and play in the local Rugby Union South Australia competition. The two teams will combine to field a full squad for the tournament. They have even created a joint badge for their combined team. The badge — which has Japanese and English versions — features both the Shark image of the Adelaide team and the Crane of the Brats.
What is the Bingham Cup?
The Bingham Cup was started in 2002 in memory of Mark Bingham, a rugby player who tragically lost his life on 11 September 2001. Today, the Bingham Cup is a biennial tournament that brings inclusive rugby teams from across the world together to celebrate their love of the game.
“The Bingham Cup is colloquially known as the world gay and inclusive championships,” says Jason Garrick, President of the Bingham Cup. “The event works with local, state and national rugby bodies to talk about how we make the sport safe for all rugby participants. These important conversations help grow our sport and continue to evolve in how we build people on and off the field.”
“It’s four days of rugby, but there’s also a WorldPride-like mentality to it,” Tallman says. “It’s a big event that brings the whole city together.”
As well as the exciting rugby tournament, the Bingham Cup has a lot to offer players and supporters. There are several parties and social events held for the teams and supporters to get to know one another better. The events are held in conjunction with LGBTQ+ organizations in Brisbane, including Thick ‘N’ Juicy.
It’s also a golden opportunity for anyone who is sports-curious but hasn’t yet found the right place for them.
“It’s good for people who are perhaps on the fence about playing sports. If they’re looking for a community, they can see this, and they could think, ‘I want to do that in two years.’”
Brisbane has been ranked as Australia’s top sporting city, making it the perfect location for an inclusive rugby tournament. It also has a thriving LGBTQ+ scene. Together, this is a winning combination. Its most iconic gay bar is even named the Sportsman Hotel!
“Brisbane has terrific weather, an outdoor lifestyle and an incredible sports-mad community,” Garrick says. Many organisations have been working to create a more inviting and inclusive atmosphere. It is safe, it is inclusive, it is incredible.”
“This is as much a festival as it is a tournament,” Tallman adds. “They sell supporter tickets, and we actually have one of our own supporters coming to cheer us on!”
How are the Tsurumi Brats Representing Japan?
One of the goals of the Tsurumi Brats is to promote Japan as a great place for LGBTQ+ people and sports enthusiasts.
“We’ll be marching under the Australian and Japanese flags, and we’ll be putting the word out that Japan and East Asia are here and ready to compete,” Tallman says.
The Tsurumi Brats — alongside their friends, the Taipei Warriors — are the first East Asian team to compete in the Bingham Cup. This presents a great opportunity to show off the Brats themselves as one of the newest inclusive rugby teams on the scene.
“The Bingham Cup Organising Committee is thrilled to see the first major representation of the Tsurumi Brats and Taipei Warriors participating in the 2026 Bingham Cup,” says Garrick. “Having this amazing tournament within the great Asia Pacific region provides the opportunity for more people to be part of this global rugby movement.”
Tallman is also proud to be a part of this moment in inclusive rugby history.
“Personally, this is a big honor, but of course we also feel the great responsibility,” he says. “There has been a lot of growth and progress in the European inclusive rugby scene. But there has been less development in this part of the world. So to be growing inclusive rugby not only in Japan, but across borders, is really exciting. Hopefully, it will also spread our name further across Tokyo.”
“During great times there are great expectations, so we’re looking forward to forging our path through and having a successful tournament,” Pokluda says. “Its our first time being at Bingham, and we’re there to compete, we’re there to play, and we’re going to make sure that people know who the Brats are by the end of this tournament.”
It is also a chance to promote Japanese LGBTQ+ culture abroad, and potentially attract future visitors.
“Thankfully, we have Eagle Tokyo Blue as one of our sponsors. They made our t-shirts, and are helping us spread Nichome culture outside of Japan”, Tallman adds. “We’re keen to spread International Gay Rugby, and that means we want to invite people from abroad. We’ve had guest players from Amsterdam, New Zealand, Ireland, and more. We get them wrapped up in Nichome spirit, and we’re going to be bringing that spirit to Brisbane.”
They’re also eager to show the world the fighting spirit of Japan’s LGBTQ+ community.
“I feel confident we’re going to put points on the board and bring some glory back to Japan,” Pokluda says.
Tallman adds, “we’re not flying nine hours not to put up a good fight!”
Check out the Tsurumi Brats’ Instagram account to keep up-to-date on their progress through the tournament. You can also follow the Bingham Cup’s profile for wider tournament news.
Get Involved with the Tsurumi Brats
These are exciting times for the Tsurumi Brats, and they are eager to let people know that anyone can be part of it.
“We’ve had a very good first year getting the fundamentals down. In the year ahead, we’re ready for dynamic growth,” Tallman says. “Sometimes in Japan, when it comes to Japanese and international players, there can be a split between who plays for which club. We want the Brats to be inclusive not only of gender and sexuality, but also of nationality and race. I think we’ve been very successful on that front.”
Right now, the Tsurumi Brats practice every Sunday from 4pm to 6pm near Noborito Station in Kanagawa. As part of their “summer season” their practices are exclusively based around “touch rugby” and getting the fundamentals of the sport down. During their fall season they will move from touch rugby to “contact 15s” rugby and will move back to their homeground on the Tama River, near Tamagawa Station. Anyone is welcome to come and try rugby for themselves.
“We are also inclusive of skill and experience. So no matter if you’re a beginner, if you’ve played rugby before overseas or for a different club, maybe you play other sports, all are welcome at the Brats,” Pokluda says. “The only thing you need to bring is effort.”
Following the success of April’s Scrumdump event, the Brats are planning a second event in Eagle Tokyo Blue in Nichome for 11 October, just in time for Sports Day.
As well as players, the Brats are also looking for volunteers to help with administration and other tasks. Even if you don’t take to the pitch, anyone who helps out is just as much a Brat as the team captain. Anyone interested in getting involved can get in touch via email at tsurumibratsrugby@gmail.com or follow the Tsurumi Brats on their Instagram. They always welcome direct messages from those who are interested.
“We want to tell queer folk who maybe haven’t had a lot of community that not only can you play this sport, you can make friends, you can develop community, and you can grow as an athlete and a person. You can actually travel the world playing a sport you love, being your honest self, and meeting other people who might have a similar journey to you, and make awesome connections,” Pokluda says.
For LGBTQ+ rugby fans in Japan, the Tsurumi Brats could be the most exciting development in the country since the 2019 Rugby World Cup. Hopefully, you’ll join us in wishing our local team the best of luck in the Bingham Cup.
