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(Rugby) Balls Out for Charity

Shanghai Hairy Crabs Nude Rugby Calendar Launch - By Morgan, Oct 25, 07



Tonight at MAO, for one night only, the adorations of female patrons (and, to be sure, a few male patrons as well) will be redirected away from those hunky bartenders towards the strapping lads of the Shanghai Hairy Crabs Rugby Club, as they finally unveil their much-anticipated charity nude calendar. An effort to raise money for XinXing A.S.K. (a charity supporting street children), the calendar features the members of the club stark raving nude, save for a few creatively-placed rugby balls gingerly concealing the business.

So tonight, a 200rmb cover buys entry, a calendar, a viewing of the calendar photos in an exhibition, open bar access from 8pm until midnight, and the opportunity to bid on the players as they are auctioned off. Yes, the studs of the Shanghai Hairy Crabs are once again availing themselves to the Xinxing charity, offering themselves up on the block and providing "VIP access" for the highest bidders.

SmartShanghai caught up with Shane Benis -- calendar cover-boy / Shanghai Hairy Crab / calendar organizer - - to find out more details...

So "Hairy Crabs" is kind of an unfortunate name for an all-male nude calendar. Are you worried this could negatively impact the sales and money raised?


That's the name of the rugby club! Hairy Crab is a Shanghai delicacy... The founders of the club chose the name because it's culturally significant, different, and of course tasty! Did you think the name had some sort of other devious connotation!?


After even a brief flip-through of the calendar, one cannot help but be startled by the range of artistic expression conveyed by the models. Previous to the project, were you aware that your team mates had such an impressive aesthetic range of communication at their disposal?


I knew all of the boys in the calendar had a fair bit of muscle, and some of the guys had exceptional physique... step into the shower room after games and anyone can see that!! Honestly though, without Scott Wright behind the camera placing the boys in poses that complimented their physiques, the pictures just wouldn't have come out so well. He's awesome!

Upon whose walls do you see yours and your team mates' nudity ultimately gracing? Who do you think will buy the calendar?


Men and Women all over Shanghai should have access to these calendars! We'd like them to reach people further then Shanghai! I hope everyone can see them and recognize that the reason this calendar exists... is for Xinxing A.S.K.

Was it difficult to convince your team mates to participate in the project? Any stories from the picture shoot worth retelling?


All of the boys were more then happy to get naked, getting naked for a charity just makes it extra special. Stories... Scott Wright should be a drill sergeant - every shoot consisted of a fitness session first! He wanted the boys pumped before ''gracing the camera''. Evil man.

So at tonight's Calendar Launch party, the players will again be called up for duty to be auctioned off. Winning bidders will then "have access to VIP with the players." Let hear more about this VIP access then...


Ha! Well the main point of the auction is to generate more funds for the charity! So primarily we'd like bidders to think of it as a charitable donation... the benefit of which is you will have a ''calendar boy'' entertaining you for the rest of the evening! You get access to VIP with the players, where vodka will be served all night NOT finishing at 2 like the rest of the club. With the player you also get the blow up image that we are using in the exhibition outside to keep. Some of the guys are married - so hands off!!! But the single boys... use and abuse!

Can you talk a little more about the charity which will be receiving proceeds?


Baoji XinXing Aid for Street kids (XinXing ASK) is a 24-hour open center for the street children who find their way to Baoji, Shaanxi Province. It began providing medical care and social support for street children in 1999. It was initially established by Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF). In 2006 MSF handed over the project to the national team and it is now the first registered Non Profit, Private Organization (NGO) for children.

The general objective of the project was to develop a medical-social assistance program for "precarious" children in the centre of Baoji. Some children in the Center have minor physical or mental disabilities.

The children stay at the center and the team works towards the rehabilitating the street children using a multidisciplinary approach providing psychological and medical care and support. The children are able to share their traumas, restore links with their families and restore their self-confidence the children are taught how to interact with each other and develop their social skills to prepare them for a proper return to society.

Whilst supported by the government, XinXing ASK is not government funded. It relies on donations to operate. XinXing's current expenses are 40,000 RMB per month. To continue to grow the project to assist more children in need, XinXing requires funding of RMB 902,000 per annum. Xinxing also needs assistance in the form of educational materials, art supplies, and daily necessities such as clothes, shoes, and toiletries. Funds to cover medical costs (both hospital and in the center's clinic) or the children's education when they return home often to regions experiencing extreme poverty are scarce.

Where can people buy the calendar and how much are they?


They can be bought at Big Bamboo, Eric Paris Hair Salon's, At the rugby club, and on our Hotline 021 62107977 - or alternatively order one by email from calendar@rugbyshanghai.com. 100rmb a calendar!

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