The Emerald Warriors RFC has launched its 2017 Rugby Calendar with some hot images of players stripping down, and €1 from each calendar sale goes to the Pieta House Charity, as well as funding the day-to-day costs of running the club.

The club was formed in August 2003 to provide an open and inclusive environment to play rugby, offering the opportunity for players to play competitively in the Domestic Leinster Metro league and internationally at the Union Cup and the Bingham Cup. The Emerald Warriors Rugby Club currently has over 80 members and now is now based in St. Mary’s RFC, Templeville Road, Dublin 6.

Emerald Warriors ‘fullback’ Ryan Burke, who joined in 2015 having returned from living abroad says: “I was looking for a way to meet new people, and since I had played rugby on and off for ten years, joining the warriors seemed like the best way to do it. I love the comradery within the team; we have a great bond together and I can honestly say I have made 30 great friends since joining.

South African native, Wilco Froneman knew about the Emerald Warriors before relocating to Ireland in 2015 and thought the club would provide an environment to meet new people. He says he enjoys “being part of a message that transcends playing rugby, in that it inherently fights and heals the wounds of homophobia.”

In May this year over 40 members of the Emerald Warriors travelled to Nashville, Tennessee to compete in the Bingham Cup, also known as the Gay Rugby World Cup, which attracted 50 teams from all over the world. In May 2017 the Warriors will travel to Madrid to compete in the Union Cup, which is open to rugby clubs from around Europe. These overseas tournaments are an important part of the Emerald Warriors calendar as they represent Ireland, Irish rugby and the LGTB community on the international stage.

The club welcomes new members, from beginners (who may never have held a rugby ball) right up to seasoned rugby players, regardless of age, background or experience. For further information or to order your calendar on-line, visit The Emerald Warriors’ website ewrfc.ie or their social media channels, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.