named programs · 4 · from sources
What they call their work
Bingham Cup Participation
Competitive participation in the biannual International Gay Rugby tournament, including hosting in 2006 and winning in 2010
Gotham Drag Show Showcase
Annual team event combining rugby and performance, held during the fall season
Gotham Ski Trip
Annual winter social event for team bonding and recreation
Rugby Youth
Partnership program with Play Rugby USA and Goodwill NYNJ providing free rugby training to disadvantaged students in Queens middle and high schools
activities · 6 groups
What they do
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Youth and Amateur Rugby Development 5 activities
- Compete in international inclusive rugby tournamentsParticipates in major international inclusive rugby events such as the Bingham Cup and NorAm Cup, achieving notable results including winning the 2010 Bingham Cup, placing fifth overall in 2016, and finishing second internationally in 2018.
- Host inclusive rugby tournaments and eventsOrganized and hosted the East Coast Rugby Invitational annually from 2002 to 2008 and hosted the 2006 Bingham Cup, which included 29 teams, over 800 participants, and featured the first-ever women's division.
- Operate as a competitive men's rugby club in regional and national leaguesFields a Division III men's rugby team competing in the Empire RFU GU league in New York, with regular participation in 15s and 7s formats across seasons, including home games and practices on fields 74 and 75 at Randall's Island Wards Meadow Fields.
- Provide free rugby programming to underserved youthOffers free rugby training and matches to over 30 disadvantaged students weekly in Queens through partnerships with local schools, including coaching the Queens Vocational and Technical High School team to victory in the bowl division of the 2015 AIG Cup.
- Support inclusive rugby development through club founding and mentorshipCo-founded two premier gay and inclusive rugby clubs, the San Francisco Fog and the Gotham Knights, contributing to the growth of inclusive rugby nationally.
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Membership Program Administration 1 activity
- Collect membership dues to support operationsCharges annual, spring, and fall membership fees to playing members and offers a reduced $100 annual fee for non-playing Armory members, accepting payments online, by check, or in cash at training sessions for the 2024–2025 season.
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LGBTQ+ Community Events and Celebrations 1 activity
- Engage in community outreach and charitable activitiesParticipates in annual charity walks and fundraising events, contributes to Pride marches, and organizes community-focused initiatives such as the annual Gotham Knights Drag Show fundraiser.
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Organized Member Social Events 1 activity
- Organize seasonal rugby and social programmingConducts structured seasonal activities including 7s rugby and fitness training in summer, touch rugby and social events like weekend drinkups and an annual ski trip in winter, and fall events such as the Gotham Drag Show Showcase and league matches.
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Recognition and Awards Programs 1 activity
- Recognize member contributions and excellenceAnnually awards the Order of the Blue Dragon to members in recognition of outstanding performance on and off the rugby pitch.
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Community Cricket Development and Competition 1 activity
- Recruit and onboard new players and community membersWelcomes players of all experience levels through open practices, Get Knighted events, and meet-and-greet sessions, encouraging participation by inviting interested individuals to attend practice and contact the club.
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financials · form 990EZ · fy2025
revenue
Total revenue$63K
Contributions & grants$3K4%
Program service revenue$10K16%
Investment income——
Other revenue$151
expenses
Total expenses$61K
Program expenses—
Admin / overhead—
Fundraising—
Salaries & benefits$12K
Grants paid out—
balance sheet
Total assets$53K
Cash—
Investments—
Liabilities—
Net assets$53K
5 years on record · 2021–2025 · YoY revenue -10.6%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2025
Who runs it
board members · 1
- Christopher Roberts — Director of Rugby
relationships · 27
Who they work with
- Empire RFU GU Partner — Competes as a Division III men's rugby club within the Empire RFU GU league.
- Empire RFU Geographic Union Government — Member of the Empire RFU, a Geographic Union within the USA Rugby administrative structure
- Goodwill Industries of Greater New York and Northern New Jersey Partner — Partnered with Gotham Knights to deliver free rugby training to disadvantaged students in Queens.
- International Gay Rugby Network — Full member of International Gay Rugby, an organization supporting LGBT participation in rugby
- International Gay Rugby Network — Member of International Gay Rugby, a global network promoting inclusivity in rugby.
- International Gay Rugby Network — Member of the International Gay Rugby association.
- International Gay Rugby Network — Member organization participating in IGR-affiliated events including the Bingham Cup.
- International Gay Rugby Network — Member organization participating in IGR-sanctioned events such as the Bingham Cup.
- International Gay Rugby Partner — Participates in tournaments organized by International Gay Rugby, including the Bingham Cup and NorAm Cup.
- It Gets Better Project Partner — Collaborated with Gotham Knights on a video contribution to support LGBTQ+ youth.
- London Kings Cross Steelers Partner — Competitive and collaborative relationship with fellow inclusive rugby team; faced multiple times in Bingham Cup tournaments.
- London Kings Cross Steelers A Partner — Competed against Gotham Knights A side in the Bingham Plate Final at the 2016 Bingham Cup.
- Met New York Rugby Union Network — Official league member competing in regional union matches and playoffs.
- Play Rugby USA Partner — Has an affiliation with Play Rugby USA, a nonprofit developing youth through rugby programs
- Play Rugby USA Partner — Supported Gotham Knights' youth rugby initiative in Queens with programmatic backing.
- Randall's Island Park Partner — Provides field space for the Gotham Knights Rugby Football Club's regular practices and home games.
- Rugby Referees Society of New York Partner — Collaborates with the Rugby Referees Society of New York, which provides qualified volunteer match officials
- San Francisco Fog RFC Partner — Historical and competitive connection; co-founded with involvement from Fog player Mark Bingham.
- San Francisco Fog Rugby Football Club Partner — Co-founded by Mark Bingham alongside the Gotham Knights, establishing a foundational partnership between the two gay and inclusive rugby clubs.
- Stockholm Berserkers RFC Partner — Collaborated with Gotham Knights B side during the 2016 Bingham Cup tournament.
- USA Rugby Government — Member of USA Rugby, the national governing body for rugby in America
- USA Rugby Government — Requires members to register with USA Rugby and pay associated fees for participation.
- USA Rugby Partner — Provides game management guidelines used by the club for player development and safety.
- Washington Renegades Partner — Fellow inclusive rugby team with ongoing competitive history in international tournaments.
- World Rugby Government — Part of the global rugby structure through World Rugby, the international governing body
- World Rugby Partner — Provides educational resources such as Rugby Ready, Welcome to Rugby, and Laws of the Game used by the club.
- social media platforms Partner — Uses social media platforms to announce events and engage with the community.
strategies · 3
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Inclusive-by-Design Participation Modelmethodology: inclusive_by_designBy welcoming individuals of all identities, backgrounds, and skill levels into the club, the organization fosters belonging and broad participation in rugby, because structural inclusivity reduces barriers and challenges stereotypes about who can be an athlete.
- Symbols and Legacy for Cultural Identitymethodology: legacy-based identity formationBy embedding symbolic recognition (e.g., Order of the Blue Dragon) and honoring legacy figures like Mark Bingham, the organization reinforces core values and a shared identity, because meaningful rituals and historical connection strengthen member commitment and cultural continuity.
- Third Half as Social Bonding Practicemethodology: third_half_spiritBy using post-match socializing—the 'third half'—to build relationships across teams and within the club, the organization strengthens community cohesion and long-term engagement, because shared social experiences foster trust and belonging beyond competition.