Members of London's gay rugby club, the King's Cross Steelers, are preparing to celebrate their chairman's role as an Olympic torch bearer on Sunday (22 July).

Tim Sullivan, who led the East London-based Steelers to become the European champions in gay and inclusive rugby last year, will carry the iconic flame through the streets of Havering Borough.

The 51-year-old from Billericay was chosen because of his work with the West Ham club, which entered three teams in the Bingham Cup world championships, coming third in the senior-level competition and winning the mid-level competition.

‘I couldn’t be prouder to be representing the Steelers in the last few relays towards the Olympic park,' said Mr Sullivan.

'It’s been a great privilege to see the boys work so hard and I’m delighted their efforts have paid off with a good haul of international trophies in the last couple of years. I hope team GB can show the same grit, courage and determination I’ve seen time after time from the Steelers.’

Mr Sullivan has been a member of the club for 10 years and took over as chairman in 2009.

He will carry the torch along Airfield Way in Hornchurch on Sunday (22 July) at 2.30pm.

The King’s Cross Steelers are currently training for the 2012-13 Essex Rugby Football Union season, which kicks off on 8 September. The team has over 100 players and 65 registered supporters and fields three teams in Essex RFU’s leagues.

The Steelers accept men of all ages, sexual orientations and levels of experience who want to learn and play rugby, and offers professional training and opportunities for international travel. For more information visit their website here.

Meanwhile former Olympians are encouraging LGBT sports clubs to sign up to the Join In Local Sport weekend on 18 and 19 August.

Silver medalist for the four by 400m relay Iwan Thomas and former triple Olympian and world record holder at 5,000m David Moorcroft, are among a dozen athletes promoting the event to the LGBT community.

According to the initiative's website, it is an opportunity for clubs and community groups to attract new members, helpers and supporters in celebration of the Olympics.