“Giovanni Capriotti’s unconventional portrayal of Rugby players, which throws macho stereotyping out the window, won First Prize for the Stories category. Meanwhile, the intensity and pleasure of competitive chess was thoughtfully drawn by Michael Hanke, whose series, which won Second Prize in the same category, shows that excitement can be found off the pitch too.”

““Mark Bingham saved countless lives by helping stop United Flight 93 from reaching its target, but it’s the lives he saved and those he’s impacted since that help to define his legacy.””

“Rugby has long prided itself on its inclusivity, that it is a game for all shapes and sizes as well as all colours and creeds. Many of Gotham’s players were drawn to the sport by the lack of hierarchy common in other American sports.”

“Queens & Knights, produced by Sandra Chuma & Nyasha Kadandara, is the story of how an inclusive rugby team challenges perceptions of masculinity and athleticism through camaraderie and acceptance. Sandra Chuma is a Zimbabwean-Canadian multimedia journalist and documentary filmmaker based in New York.”

“The Gotham Knights rugby team defies stereotypes and provides a safe venue for gay athletes to be themselves and build community.”

“Bingham Cup players from the globe’s gay rugby clubs ruminate on the top teams, Aussie wildlife and if Sydney blokes really are the fittest.”

“Years before gay players broke down barriers in the NBA and NFL, a squadron of New Yorkers demanded acceptance in the most rough-and-tumble sport of all.”