When the Jozi Cats announced their arrival back in May of last year, they managed to drum up plenty of press.

That’s due in part to a brilliant PR campaign, which we covered HERE.

Since then they’ve gone from strength to strength, and they’re back in the headlines with another major announcement.

Here’s Mamba Online:

…Jozi Cats, Africa’s first gay and inclusive competitive rugby club…is jetting off to Spain this week.

The Jozi Cats will field a World XV squad at the Union Cup, a biannual European gay Rugby tournament.

It will make history as the first non-European club and the first club from Africa to be invited to compete in the tournament.

The seventh Union Cup will take place from 28 to 30 April in Madrid, which is this year hosting World Pride in June and July.

The first ever non-European club – history in the making.

Here’s the team, looking pretty stoked with life, having welcomed Exclusive Books on board as their lead sponsor.

The team was formed to provide a safe and harassment-free environment for the whole LGBTQI community to play rugby, without the fear of being marginalised because of their sexual orientation.

Spokesperson and Vice Chairman Anthony Seger was quick to thank Exclusive Books for their generosity, and had this to say:

“It’s incredible to see how far we’ve come in the year since our viral ‘Rugby That’s So Gay’ campaign challenged gay stereotypes all over the world,” commented Seger.

“It’s amazing to know we’ll not only have players leaving for Spain to represent South Africa in Inclusive Rugby for the first time, but our Touch Rugby Squad will be heading to the Knysna Pink Loerie Mardi Gras and Arts Festival to promote our #SpiritOfCommunity, #SafeSpaces and #BtheWhistle initiatives,” he said.

“And it seems really fitting that this is all happening on the eve of Freedom Day this year,” Seger added.

Good luck out there guys – the competition might be stiff but we back you.

You can find all the latest news on their Facebook page HERE.

[source:mambaonline]