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Airdate: The Rugby Player

ABC2 broadcasts a doco ahead of the world cup of gay rugby in Sydney, named in honour of a 9/ 11 hero.

2014-08-14_2020ABC2 is broadcasting a doco ahead of The Bingham Cup – the world cup of gay rugby – which is being held in Sydney this year and is named in honour of Mark Bingham, who died as a hero in the September 11 tragedy.

The Rugby Player is a moving doco, including with an Australian element, about a remarkable young man and his equally remarkable mother. Highly recommended.

Multi-award winning documentary The Rugby Player screens in a TV premiere on ABC2 – Wednesday, August 20 at 8.30pm. The story of a mother, a son, and what it takes to be a hero, The Rugby Player explores the lives of Mark Bingham, one of the passengers of United Flight 93 on September 11, 2001, and his remarkable mother Alice Hoagland.

Moving, stereotype-shattering and often uplifting, The Rugby Player utilises footage filmed by Bingham himself – a decade of his life from his teenage years until the weeks before he died. Capturing daring, hilarious and intimate moments of his life, his transition from gawky teenager into a self-assured leader, his passion for rugby, and his courage in coming out as a gay man to his family and friends in his 20s.

The Rugby Player also follows Alice’s journey to rebuild her life in the aftermath of 9/11. Devastated by her loss but inspired by the memory of her son, Alice pours her efforts into becoming a nationally known speaker and researcher on the issues of aviation security, petitioning the federal government and the airlines to commit to even higher safety standards. Alice also advocates frequently in the national media for LGBT rights, including the right of same-sex couples to marry.

By weaving together Mark’s and Alice’s stories, The Rugby Player creates an intimate portrait of how a son’s heroism can inspire a nation, and how a mother’s love can turn profound loss into unshakable resolve.

8:30pm Wednesday, 20 August ABC2.

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