San Diego Armada Presents Ruck N Tuck 2024
By Cesar A Reyes
Rugby Players in Heels and what an Inclusive Rugby Team is all About
The San Diego Armada Rugby Club is gearing up for its big annual fundraiser Ruck N Tuck. The Gay and Inclusive Social and athletic team has been putting on a show for the past 8th years. The night puts 5 rugby players and turns them from rough and rugged individuals to a drag performer for the night. But they are not doing it alone, the team finds local fabulous season Drag Coaches that will teach them house to show case the inner Drag they have inside as they compete to win the nights crown…and you have the power to choose the winner. We had a fun chat with Anthony Williams Alumni chair in the board for the team, and the fabulous Steven Winkelman (aka Maple Glaze) Inclusivity chair and 2023’s Ruck N Tuck crown winner.
Please introduce yourself:
My name is Steven Winkelman, AKA Maple Glaze. I am the current reigning Miss Ruck N Tuck, having won in 2023. I’ve played with the San Diego Armada for two years, and I am currently serving as the Inclusion Chair / Community Liaison for the team.
Tell us about San Diego’s Armada Rugby Club:
The San Diego Armada is an inclusive rugby team, which was officially started in 2005. We stand out by being a team focused on inclusion. We have players who are gay, lesbian, bisexual, pansexual, ace/aro, as well as straight allies. The team provides a space for players of all experience levels to come out and play rugby, find a new community, and try out some rucking.
Tell Us About Ruck N Tuck?
Ruck N Tuck is an annual drag pageant and fundraiser. This pageant is all about the transformation: we take 4 or 5 rugby players, pair them up with incredible drag coaches from San Diego, and glam them up into showstopping Queens and Kings. Ruck N Tuck presents a great opportunity for the team to get involved in the larger San Diego queer community and put on a fantastic show in the process.
As a fundraiser, Ruck N Tuck allows the team to fund our travel to international gay rugby (IGR) tournaments, most notably the Bingham Cup. The Bingham Cup takes place every two years in different countries, and the San Diego Armada have participated in the last four tournaments. These tournaments are incredibly important, not only as a celebration of gay and inclusive sports but also as a way to honor the legacy of Mark Bingham.
You are getting ready to crown a new winner, what does it take to snatch the crown?
It takes moxie, chutzpah, stellar performance abilities, and a killer smile to win the crown. A winning performer needs to put the effort in to wow the crowd and showcase their incredible drag talents. Each of these performers are going to give a different interpretation of drag, and they each have incredible coaches who can help them elevate their numbers. At the end of the day, a winner needs to put on a good show; and I am confident that each of our contestants this year will do that.
Why are athletic groups like The Armada important for our community?
For so many of us who grew up queer, we didn’t have a space of inclusion and acceptance in sports. Many players remained closeted, or stayed out of sports altogether, because they didn’t feel welcome. Teams like the San Diego Armada are a reminder that anyone and everyone can play sports. Teams like this allow people to find new friends, new communities, and through their participation in sport they can remain engaged with the larger Queer community. I myself have become so much more engaged with the LGBTQ2S+ community in San Diego since I joined the Armada.
Global networks of queer sports teams, like the IGR, also allow players to remain connected to queer communities around the world. It’s also a reminder that rugby is a truly inclusive sport, welcoming players of all backgrounds, abilities, and body types. There’s a place for everyone on the field.
Finally, playing rugby is the most affordable personal training you can get in San Diego.
How can folks join in and learn more?
Folks who are interested in coming out and learning about rugby are welcome to come join our practices! Starting on October 14th, we will be holding rugby practices on Mondays and Wednesdays, 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm, at Robb Field in Ocean Beach.
If people want to learn more, they can check out our website: https://www.sdarmada.com/ or Instagram: @SanDiegoArmadaRFC