The world renowned Warwick Rowers are back in the buff with a very special tenth anniversary edition of their cheeky male nude charity calendar.
The boys’ naked devotion to LGBT rights and gender equality over the last 10 years has seen them win seven National Calendar Awards in London, make live appearances in the US, Italy and Australia, and feature regularly in global media such as BUZZFEED, HUFFINGTON POST, THE TIMES.
Most significantly, their long-running success has enabled the plucky university athletes to set up and fund Sport Allies a registered charity devoted to promoting LGBT rights and gender equality through sport. Among other achievements, Sport Allies is currently working with London Film School and SKY Sports, the UK’s biggest sports TV platform, to create viral messaging aimed at highlighting the importance of inclusion in sport.
The rowers are particularly honored to welcome special guest star Robbie Mansonto the calendar. A two-time Olympic athlete from New Zealand, Robbie holds the world record for men’s single sculling, making him officially the fastest rower on the planet. Robbie, who came out as gay in 2014, commented:
“As an LGBT athlete, I value the straight ally message of the Warwick Rowers. They prove you don’t have to be a gay or female athlete to believe passionately that sport should be for everyone, and that sport can show leadership in promoting equality. So when the guys invited me to join them in their tenth anniversary calendar, I got on a plane!”
Tenth anniversary products include their fourth coffee table book, autographed calendars and subscriptions that will bring video and images of the boys to lucky supporters throughout the whole of 2019.
The Warwick Rowers project is a gay/straight alliance that dates back to 2009, when their debut calendar was launched to raise funds for the University of Warwick Boat Club. Producer Angus Malcolm and generations of Warwick Rowers have since achieved global recognition through a fundraising initiative and public awareness campaign that delivers a range of products to around 80 countries every year and reaches more than 140 countries through its viral messaging.
Initially a fundraising calendar for one university boat club, the Warwick Rowers has grown into a major campaign for social equality and better male mental health, particularly in relation to gender and sexuality. The calendar operates as a not for profit social enterprise, with Sport Allies as the main beneficiary of funds. From the original calendar, their range has expanded to offer behind-the-scenes film subscriptions, luxurious coffee table books (that weigh in at 2.5kg or nearly six pounds!), 100+ new images every month, and packages that combine the best of everything.
The team has been recognized with a significant number of awards for excellence, innovation and social impact, including twice being voted the UK Charity Calendar of the Year. Their aims are to promote positive, inclusive and respectful attitudes around sexuality and gender through the content that they create, and to fund Sport Allies, a registered charitable foundation with a mission to promote sport, and particularly team sport, as an inclusive and supportive route to personal growth for everyone of all genders and sexual orientations.
