THEGAYUK

Tag: The Naked Rugby Players

  • Even Prince Harry appreciates the Naked Rugby Players

    Even Prince Harry appreciates the Naked Rugby Players

    The world-famous Naked Rugby Players are back hoping to raise even more money for cancer awareness and inclusive rugby.

    The Naked Rugby Players’ calendar one of the Top 5 Charity calendars in the UK is returning again for 2023 with nearly 50 naked guys. Now in its 5th year, the  Naked Rugby Players’ calendar returns with 13 brand-new daring and cheeky photographs as well as a set of festive Christmas cards.

    Five inclusive rugby clubs from around the UK stripped off earlier this year to raise awareness for both Inclusive Rugby and the importance for guys to check their tackle for lumps and bumps, in partnership with the Balls To Cancer charity. So far, the calendar has helped raise over £15,000 for good causes – and this year they want to smash their previous targets!

    From Glasgow to Northampton, Newcastle to Bristol to Nottingham 45 rugged players bravely stripped off in a bid to spread awareness on male cancer and the importance of Inclusive Rugby.

    Speaking about the 2023 calendar, Creative Director Jake Hook said, “It’s always a pleasure to get out in the open with rugby teams across the UK and this year we’ve managed to shoot the calendar in a variety of daring and exciting locations. I love how the players, always start a little shy, but within minutes of taking off their clothes, like magic, all their inhibitions have disappeared – sometimes it’s hard to get them to even put their clothes back on!

    “As always we’re privileged to team up with the incredible Balls To Cancer charity, who provide much-needed awareness, support and resources for people living with cancer and their families.”

    Fans of the calendar include Royalty, Prince Harry who greatly “appreciated” getting his copy and RuPaul’s Drag Race’s Baga Chipz who said, the calendar made her feel “Much Betta”.

    200,000 men are diagnosed with cancer every year. 80,000 of those will die from their cancer. One in two men will suffer cancer in the UK during their lifetimes. Cancers which are detected early, such as testicular cancer, are beatable – but only if the message gets through that men should check their equipment regularly, which is why the Calendar features a cheeky monthly reminder. 

    As with all Naked Rugby Players’ calendars, a proportion of money raised through the sale of the calendar is donated to Balls To Cancer Charity and to the Inclusive Rugby clubs involved. 

    BUY YOUR COPY TODAY

  • The Naked Rugby Player calendar is apparently going ahead again for 2023

    The Naked Rugby Player calendar is apparently going ahead again for 2023

    Those burly rugger boys will be back again for another calendar – and we’re so here for that!

    According to a tweet from The Naked Rugby Players, photoshoots are being arranged as we speak and they’re teaming up with cancer charity Balls To Cancer once again.

    Very excited… we’re getting all our shoots booked in for the 2023 calendar! Who’s ready for more!!!

    Organisers have remained tight lighted about which teams will be featured, but we’ve been told to expect more from a Scottish Team and more from the reigning champions, the Northampton Outlaws, who have apparently appeared in every calendar since The Naked Rugby Players’ calendar launched back in 2018.

  • There are 84 naked guys in the latest Naked Rugby Players calendar

    There are 84 naked guys in the latest Naked Rugby Players calendar

    Despite the on-going Covid-19 pandemic, The world-famous Naked Rugby Players return with a new calendar The Naked Rugby Players – Unseen Bits for 2021 and is one of our favourite LGBT+ Calendars. Best of al it features never seen before images!

    Speaking about the changes the calendar had to make during 2020, principal photographer Monty McKinnen told us, “It sadly turned out to be impossible to shoot 6 rugby teams during 2020 as the pandemic raged through our communities and everyone kept at social distances”

    “Despite this, we’ve rummaged through the thousands of images from our past shoots to bring fans of the calendar never before seen pictures, from 12 teams across the UK.” 

    84 Naked Rugby Players

    The Naked Rugby Players Calendar 2021 – Unseen Bits features 84 players from twelve Inclusive Rugby teams from across the UK.

    Once again the calendar has teamed up with the Balls To Cancer charity to bring awareness of male cancers and features a monthly reminder to check ourselves for any unusual signs. 

    The calendar is available from TheNakedRugbyPlayes.com, TackleMag.co.uk and Amazon.  

  • Facebook says sorry after removing pictures from charity calendar

    Facebook says sorry after removing pictures from charity calendar

    Facebook, which owns the Instagram platform has apologised after numerous images, which complied with its nudity policies were removed from The Naked Rugby Player’s profile.

    Yesterday we reported that The Naked Rugby Players, which aims to raise awareness of male cancers and body positivity through its partnerships with LGBT+ Rugby Clubs and Balls To Cancer, had been threatened by Instagram to have its profile deleted after two pictures were uploaded to its account.

    The two pictures in question featured no actual nudity and were cropped inline with Instagram’s no genital policy.

    “We’re sorry for this mistake.”

    (C) FACEBOOK

    Speaking to THEGAYUK.com, a spokesperson for Facebook said, “Every day we’re inspired by the millions of people using our platforms to connect with, and raise money for, meaningful causes. This content was removed in error and has now been restored. We’re sorry for this mistake.”

    The Naked Rugby Players have released a calendar every year since 2018 with the aim of raising money for Balls To Cancer and LGBT+ Inclusive Rugby Clubs.

    The players have managed to put together a calendar for 2021 despite the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic. This year’s calendar is called “Unseen Bits” and features 12 never-seen-before pictures from previous photoshoots.

  • Instagram removes pictures and threatens to delete charity calendar account

    Instagram removes pictures and threatens to delete charity calendar account

    An account by The Naked Rugby Players, which aims to raise awareness of male cancers and body positivity, on the Facebook-owned Instagram platform has been threatened with removal after it uploaded two pictures from its 2020 calendar featuring the LGBT+ Rugby club, Chester Centurions.

    The two pictures in question featured no actual nudity and were cropped inline with Instagram’s no genital policy.

    This isn’t the first time that Instagram has pulled, censored, deleted or threatened to delete an account over pictures of nearly naked men or men that are naked but have their genitals covered.

    Screenshots shared by The Naked Rugby Players seen by THEGAYUK show that the account holders weren’t even permitted to lodge an appeal with Instagram and told that because there are fewer reviewers due to the coronavirus outbreak, one of the largest companies in the world, Facebook, wouldn’t be able to review the post.

    The two images in question complied with Instagram’s “Nudity or sexual activity guideline” and did not show genitals, or “close-up of fully-nude buttocks”.

    In fact take a look at them here.

    Fans were quick to defend the calendar and accused Instagram of being “prudish” and “ridiculous” and that their deletion of images of men happened all too often.

    We have reported that Instagram has blocked numerous gay male accounts for images that it says breaks its policies, such as porn star Brent Everett, meat Magazine, Celebrity Master Chef winner Riyadh Khalaf however, it seemingly has set a double standard, by allowing singer Lizzo and Kim Kardashian to keep, to name a couple, fully nude pictures published on the platform.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CGj9jJcFEEc/

    After THEGAYUK.com reached out to Instagram for comment on the picture removals, the two posts in question were restored as well as a number of other pictures which had been deleted by the social network in the past.

    Facebook told THEGAYUK that it’s ‘investigating’ the issue.

    The Naked Rugby Players 2021 Unseen Bits calendar is now available to order.

  • Baga Chipz spotted hanging out with Naked Rugby players

    Baga Chipz spotted hanging out with Naked Rugby players

    RuPaul Drag Race UK superstar, Baga Chipz has been keeping good company – as she was recently spotted with some of the lads from the Naked Rugby Players calendar.

    Casually hanging out with some of the lads from the Bristol Bisons, who semi stripped off for her, Baga held the calendar in hand and told viewers they’d feel “much betta” if they went and bought it – of course, proceeds from the calendar go to Balls To Cancer and the six inclusive rugby teams that took part in the calendar.

    She even managed to get the Naked Rugby lads to say her world-famous catchphrase with her.

    Baga came third in the first-ever Drag Race UK but became a firm favourite of fans of the show. She also managed to bag herself the catchphrase “Much Betta” cementing her as one of the most memorable queens ever to take part in the show.

    You can buy The Naked Rugby Players’ calendar directly from their store, or from any of the clubs involved.

  • Those Naked Rugby players have returned with more even more nakedness for their 2020 calendar

    Those Naked Rugby players have returned with more even more nakedness for their 2020 calendar

    A whopping total of 85 rugby players got completely nude in the 3rd annual #NakedRugby calendar, celebrating body positivity, highlighting fitness and male cancer awareness.

    Awarded as one of the Top 5 Charity calendars in the UK at The Callies Awards last year, The world-famous Naked Rugby Players’ calendar returns for their third year with more nakedness than ever.  
    Six inclusive rugby clubs around Britain stripped off earlier this year to raise awareness for both LGBT+ inclusive rugby and the importance for guys to check their tackle for lumps and bumps, in partnership with the Balls To Cancer charity.

    From Cardiff to Northampton, Leeds to Bristol, 85 rugby players bravely derobed for this year’s colourful 2020 calendar.  Since the release of the first edition in 2018, the calendar has raised thousands of pounds and awareness for inclusive rugby and the male cancer charity, Balls To Cancer.

    Speaking about the 2020 calendar, Creative Director Jake Hook said, “The 2020 #NakedRugby calendar was so wonderful to create and design.  We’re so lucky to work with all these amazing teams, who are willing to try new ideas and go with us on an artistic journey. 
    “This year we’ve made the calendar a little darker, but full of colour. I think the pictures have a real depth to them and really shows some of bonds that are created between the players.

    “Again we’re privileged to team up with Balls To Cancer, as this amazing charity provides much-needed awareness, support and respite for men and their families who are living with male cancer”.

    This calendar will make you feel “Much Betta”

    Even some Celebrities and Royalty are supporting the Calendar;

    “Thank you for The Naked Rugby Players charity calendar. It was most generous of you and is much appreciated” – HRH Prince Harry

    “Buy this calendar and you’ll feel, Much Betta” – Baga Chipz  (Ru Paul’s Drag Race UK – Season 1)

    200,000 men are diagnosed with cancer every year. 80,000 of those will die from their cancer.

    One in two men will suffer cancer in the UK during their lifetimes. Cancers which are detected early, such as testicular cancer, are beatable – but only if the message gets through that men should check their equipment regularly, which is why the Calendar features a cheeky monthly reminder. 

    As with the first two calendars money raised through the sale of the calendar go to Balls To Cancer Charity and to the inclusive rugby clubs involved. 

    SHOP FOR THE CALENDAR on their website or on Amazon

  • LGBT Charity calendar banned from Facebook for “sexual activity” despite none

    LGBT Charity calendar banned from Facebook for “sexual activity” despite none

    Facebook’s over-eager censorship tools have caused the Naked Rugby Players page to be banned from Facebook.

    One of the UK’s top 5 charity calendars, has been banned from the social media giant, Facebook. The owners of the Naked Rugby Players charity calendar were banned this morning (16th December) and given the explanation that the picture uploaded to the platform contained genitals, sexual activity, explicit language or female nipples, despite the picture cleverly hiding every player’s genitals.

    The Naked Rugby Players calendar is a national calendar which aims to raise money for cancer charity, Balls To Cancer and LGBT+ inclusive rugby as well as bring awareness to testicle cancer and LGBT sports.

    However, the “offending” picture that was uploaded does not contain genitals, female nipples, sexual activity or sexually explicit language.

    In an explanation, Facebook told the page’s owners that the post went against their community standards and banned the page from commenting or posting for 24 hours.

    However, in a cruel double standard, Facebook hasn’t decided to delete other user’s content. Kim Kardashian-West’s page, which has over 27 million fans has dozens of naked women, which displays at least one fully naked frontal picture of a woman.

    The calendar’s Creative Director, Jake Hook said, “We take a huge amount of time on photo shoot days to ensure that everybody is comfortable and making absolutely 100 per cent sure that nobody’s genitals are on show. In fact, it is in our agreement with the clubs that take part that we make sure that no one’s genitals will be visible.

    “Facebook’s ban is obviously disappointing. We are so proud of this calendar and the message that it gives. Be proud of your body, be proud of your sexuality and be comfortable in your own skin”.

    Facebook’s Sexual Purge

    Facebook has come under fire recently for its brand new community standard’s policy. The policy which is named the “sexual solicitation” policy has been branded as “horrifying” by critics and it could adversely effect LGBT+ users on the platform.

    The policy could potentially ban gay, bisexual and transgender users from discussing whether they are top or bottoms on the site as it seeks to ban “sexual hints such as (the) mention of sexual roles, positions or fetish scenarios”.

    The platform says it is now “drawing a line” when any conversation leads to a “sexual encounter between adults”.

     

    Support the players

    If you’d like to support the players and buy the 2019 calendar you can visit their website where they are offering free shipping on calendars.

  • The best naughty 2019 Calendars

    The best naughty 2019 Calendars

    It’s that time of year when we look to the year ahead and all the nakedness we’ll be able to feast our eyes on.

    People, we present the hottest calendars that need to be in your life for 2019. This is what we’ll be hanging on our wall.

     

     

    The Naked Rugby Players 2019

    There are over 70 naked men in this calendar. Six inclusive rugby teams got together for their second calendar to raise money and awareness for Balls to Cancer and inclusive rugby… It was voted a top 5 charity calendar this year. Shot by THEGAYUK’s very own photographer, Monty McKinnen. Available to buy from their website TheNakedRugbyPlayers.com from £10.00 or from Amazon

     

    Red Hot 2019

     

    View this post on Instagram

     

    Today is the launch of Red Hot American Boys 2019 Calendar at @chichilarues from 7-10pm. Don’t miss your chance to meet the models including stunning Graysen Quinn @graysenquinn and get your calendar signed by photographer @thomasknights from 8pm ? Join the after-party at @theabbeyweho from 10pm till late ? Visit our online shop to get your calendars and other exciting items ⬆️ LINK IN BIO ⬆️

    A post shared by RED HOT (@redhot100) on

    There are three versions of this calendar in 2019 the truly naked one and the more SFW one, which features butts and the American boys! Shot by Red Hot photographer Thomas Knights and art director Elliott James Frieze, the calendar raises money for the Movember Foundation’s Testicular Cancer Awareness. Available for £20.00

     

    The Dreamboys

    Bring the world-famous Dreamboys in your home with this stunning calendar. This year’s offering features the incredibly hot Jake Quickenden. Available from Amazon

    Naked Sword

    There really isn’t anything hotter out there. Well maybe the sexy naked firemen, but Naked Sword is offering up hunks and twinks in equal measures. Brace yourself for a sexy year with Kayden Gray, Ryan Rose, Francois Sagat, Roman Todd, and eight more horny hunks. Available on Amazon from £16.79

    Dieux du Stade

    Our second Rugby player calendar of the year, who could not fall for these ridiculously hot guys in the world famous, Calendrier Dieux du stade. Available on Amazon from £19.04

    Meat Magazine

    Described as a f**k you to body shaming, the Meat Calendar promises to deliver page after page of guys of all shapes and sizes. Unfortunately it’s completely sold out, but hopefully, they’ll restock!

    Les Pompiers

    Is there anything hotter than French firemen? Not really. Available from Amazon £17.44

     

  • The Naked Rugby Players are up for a prestigious Calies award

    The Naked Rugby Players are up for a prestigious Calies award

    The Naked Rugby Players 2019 have been well studied to become a finalist in The Calies – UK Calendar Awards. Oh, and they’ve released some new pictures to celebrate!

    © The Naked Rugby Players + Monty McKinnen Photography

    Having fought off hundreds of entries from major brands the guys are now up against four other calendars to win the title of Best Charity Calendar 2019.

    The prestigious awards are judged by major high street brands including John Lewis, Waterstone, HMV and Calendar Club to find the best in 2019 Calendars. Winners will be announced during an awards ceremony in central London on the 28th November.

    © The Naked Rugby Players / Monty McKinnen Photography

    © The Naked Rugby Players + Monty McKinnen Photography

    Calendar Creative Director, Jake Hook, said, “To be nominated for this award alone was fantastic news, to make the final has been incredible and I’m so proud of each and every one of the seventy-one players who gave up their time, and clothes, to help support their teams and Balls To Cancer. The 2019 Calendar sold out in just three weeks this year meaning we had to re-print. This is fantastic news for the charity and for encouraging more guys to regularly check themselves for signs of cancer, which tragically takes many lives each year.”

    The Naked Rugby Players returned earlier this month with a Renaissance themed calendar following the success of their first calendar.

    © The Naked Rugby Players + Monty McKinnen Photography

    © The Naked Rugby Players + Monty McKinnen Photography

    The six inclusive rugby clubs from around Britain stripped off to raise awareness for both inclusive rugby and to help shine a light on the importance for guys to check their tackle for lumps and bumps regularly, in partnership with the Balls To Cancer charity.

    200,000 men are diagnosed with cancer every year. 80,000 of those will die from their cancer.

    As with the first calendar, a proportion of the money raised through the sales of the calendar goes to Balls To Charity and to the inclusive rugby clubs involved.

    © The Naked Rugby Players + Monty McKinnen Photography

    The Naked Rugby Players can be purchased from TheNakedRugbyPlayers.com, Amazon and TheGayShop.co.uk

  • Facebook bans body positive Naked Rugby Calendar Photographer

    Facebook bans body positive Naked Rugby Calendar Photographer

    The photographer of The Naked Rugby Players calendar has been booted off Facebook for posting a promo picture from the calendar.

    The world’s largest social network Facebook has kicked off the photographer of the Naked Rugby Players charity calendar, despite no genitalia being shown. The calendar, which celebrates inclusive rugby, body positivity and raises money for cancer charity, Balls To Cancer, is due for official launch towards the end of September.

    The calendar which is now on sale features six inclusive rugby teams across the UK and includes 71 gay, bi, straight and trans men from all over the UK, who took their kit off to raise money and awareness for male cancers and inclusive rugby.

    However, after sharing one of the promo pictures, the calendar’s very own photographer Monty McKinnen was booted off the Facebook platform for seven days.

    The ban comes just a few weeks after another body positive magazine found itself falling foul of Facebook-owned Instagram’s “puritanical” community guidelines.

    Taking to Twitter the official account for the Naked Rugby Players wrote, “Our photographer @MontyMcKinnen has been booted from #Facebook AGAIN for showing off some of The #NakedRugby Players assets whilst promoting #BodyPositivity and supporting @Ballstocancer – Best to follow him and us here to keep up to date on our picture releases!”

     

    To view the “offending” image CLICK HERE (NSFW)