Bill Hooper

CRFU partners with Fanbase for Online Ticket access

January 16, 2025 by Bill Hooper

We are delighted to announce our new partnership with Fanbase as we look to enhance the
experience of our valued supporters.

By linking to Fanbase, supporters can now enjoy a brand-new digital experience that offers
content, ticketing, and more across web, mobile and tablet platforms.
When it comes to ticketing, fans can purchase tickets in seconds and conveniently store them in their Apple or Google Wallet, allowing for easy access on match day.

Fanbase also provides us with easy access to detailed fan profiles, offering us the potential
to make data-driven decisions to improve fan engagement.
Fanbase also offers the CRFU new revenue-generating opportunities through both the
potential increase in ticket sales and new sponsorship opportunities available within the
newsfeed and match centre functions, giving sponsors access to our engaged audience.

Kevin Russell, Fanbase Business Development Manager commented. “We are delighted to
partner with the Cornwall RFU moving forward. It has been a real pleasure to work with
Ashley on this and we are all looking forward to seeing the benefits of our partnership for the
supporters of Rugby in Cornwall and also the CRFU organisation both for this season’s
fixtures and into the future.”

Ashley Shopland of the Cornwall RFU said “we needed to modernise the way we interact
with our supporters, while retaining more traditional methods. Fanbase offers us a simple to
use, yet very effective platform from which to offer tickets to County matches, but also other
commercial opportunities. ”

Fans looking to access Fanbase can do so through your chosen internet browser at
app.fanbaseclub.com and download directly onto your device through the Apple/Android
store.
With our U20s team starting their warm-up campaign v Camborne School of Mines on the
evening of Wednesday, January 29th (7.30pm kick-off at Hayle RFC) included below is a link
to the Fanbase platform to allow any interested supporters to sign-up and buy tickets :

https://app.fanbaseclub.com/Fan/Tickets/SelectType?fixtureId=9149

Community Game Update January 25

January 15, 2025 by Bill Hooper

RFU Honda Volunteer Awards 2025

January 13, 2025 by Bill Hooper

Nominations for the 24/25 awards are now open and will close on Friday 14 February at 17:00.

Nominations can be submitted for either an individual or a group of volunteers who have gone above and beyond over the year.

Nominees are recognised at a local level, before finalists will be selected by a national panel and invited to a national awards event.

To relive the excitement of last year’s Honda Volunteer of the Year Awards, watch the video below.

link to post

An Open Letter from Sir Bill Beaumont

January 13, 2025 by Bill Hooper

Dear Members,

Today the RFU Council ratified my appointment as Interim Chair of the RFU Board; it is a great honour to be taking on this role and I thank Council for their support.

I’ve had a busy few weeks engaging with the RFU Board and Council, and listening to players, volunteers, match officials and fans. From those conversations it is very clear the game wants and needs unity, and it is my priority to help to bring the game together.

Unity does not mean no challenge or debate. I hear and empathise with some of the concerns around the payment of a long-term incentive plan. I want to understand how decisions were taken, and it is right that an independent review of the process has been commissioned.  The review should be allowed to run its natural course, and I look forward to its outcomes.

This is a serious moment for the game of rugby in England. There have been demands for change without clarity on the real reasons why, or proposals for an alternative vision. There has been a call for a Special General Meeting (SGM) and we will respect the right of members to have their views heard.

Our sport has a long history of in-fighting and we sometimes lose sight of what is best for rugby as a whole. Whatever we do next, it needs to be for the good of the English game.

We need to listen and be supportive of one another. That is why I will be hitting the road on a nationwide tour of rugby clubs in January and February, so we can debate and agree a united way forward.

We also need to reflect on how hard the last few years have been. I can offer a wider context on that from my recent position as Chair of World Rugby. The impact Covid, inflation and a cost-of-living crisis has had on the game around the globe has been significant in terms of participation, confidence, and finances at every level. 

Objectively, we should ask whether English rugby, in the aftermath, was managed effectively. Having seen all countries wrangle the same problems, I can say with confidence in comparison to many other countries the RFU has come out of this period very well.

The RFU did not receive any government or World Rugby loans. It did, however, successfully negotiate support on behalf of community clubs, and facilitated professional clubs’ access to government loans, which ensured rugby received more financial support in England than any other sport.

There is much work needed to reset and come together as a united game, and I am committed to supporting that. In the short time I have been back in this role, I have also seen that rugby in England has lots of positives to build on.

The RFU has committed to an investment programme in the community game that will see more coaches, more resources for clubs, and accessible forms of rugby being taken into thousands of schools.

We are set to host the Women’s Rugby World Cup – a generational opportunity to get more women and girls playing rugby. Participation in the men’s game has also bounced back close to where it was pre-Covid.

When I’m on the road I will be listening to your feedback and input so do please sign up to join one of the sessions which will be announced in next week’s Community Game Update.

We all want winning men’s and women’s England teams, and this can’t happen without a thriving community game. I want us to have unity, and the stability required to deliver this. If we work together, we will succeed. If we work against each other, English rugby will not be the winner on or off the pitch.

England Rugby Mentor Award

January 9, 2025 by Bill Hooper

Are you a coach, referee, or volunteer passionate about growing the game? The England Rugby Mentoring Award is your chance to inspire others and make a real impact!

What You’ll Gain: – The skills to mentor and support others effectively. – Insights to help develop people across all roles in the game. – A nationally recognized qualification to advance your rugby journey.

Who’s It For? Anyone involved in rugby looking to share their knowledge and support the next generation of coaches, referees, or volunteers.

How to Register: https://gms.rfu.com/GMS/coursefinder Venues Exeter Athletic RFC 25/01/2025 or Redruth RFC 02/02/2025

Cornwall Under 18’s round up

January 7, 2025 by Bill Hooper

Cornwall U18 South West Tournament Round Up

Paul Howard, Team Manager

The U18 season for Cornwall is now complete. We had three very enjoyable games at Hartpury, but overall we have to look back and know we didn’t play to our full potential for long enough periods over the games. When it clicked in the 2^nd half of the first game, 1^st half on the 2^nd game and patches of the 3^rd game, we were the best side on display over all the counties, but at other times we may have been considered one of the worst. We scored some great team tries, were dogged when defending our own line, showed some real power in the scrums and were clinical in the line-out. There were plenty of positives for all the players to take from playing for Cornwall.

Thank you to all the boys and parents for their commitment to train and travel.

After our last game the SW selectors shortlisted players to move forward to SW trials at the end of Jan. Although we would have liked more, well done to the five below who were selected:

Archie Beetles

Ola Phillips

Oli Wells

Joe Horne

Will Geddes-Brown

Best of luck for the next stage.

Results

Game 1 v Dorset & Wilts

Final score 20-15

Try Scorers : Lewis, Murray, Bennett, Holland

Game 2 v Oxfordshire

Final score 20-25

Try Scorers : Dawson, Wells, Lewis, Jago

Game 3 v Somerset

Final score 20-20

Try Scorers : Collins, Holland, Penalty Try, Fletcher

Playing Squad: Archie Beetles, Ola Phillips, Leon Holland, Max Walker, Toby Collins, Dan Davey, Joe Horne, Oli Wells, Matt Walker, Pax McDowell, Will Pellow, Jake Shirlow, Will Geddes-Brown, Ben Dawson, Pete Fletcher, Jake Walker, Alfie Middlewood, Jacob Bennetts, Max Bennett, Jowan Kerry, Ethan Taylor, Tristan Jago, Jack Old, Cohan Wallace, Oshi Baker, Ewan Murray, Barney Lewis.

County Fixtures Update

January 5, 2025 by Bill Hooper

Please note the information above regarding venues.

New Year message from Steve Murley

January 3, 2025 by Bill Hooper

As our Cornish clubs prepare to return to league action and we all return to rugby following the festive season, the CRFU wants to pass on our thanks and best wishes to everyone involved in providing rugby throughout the Duchy

It takes a huge amount of time and effort, with literally hundreds of volunteers helping with Senior and Youth teams across the length and breadth of Cornwall.

In addition, games couldn’t take place without referees who do a fabulous job in keeping rugby going.

Whatever team you are involved with and in whatever role, many thanks for your efforts.

Have a Happy and Healthy 2025 !!!

Steve Murley

Cornwall U.18s side to play Somerset this Sunday

January 2, 2025 by Bill Hooper

Cornwall Under 18s play their Somerset counterparts this Sunday at Hartpury in their final South West county match.

Good luck to the team and best wishes for SW trials selection.

Cornwall to take on Chiefs

December 27, 2024 by Bill Hooper

As promised – we said there was to be some exciting news to impart with our supporters.

We are immensely grateful to Tony Rowe for inviting the CRFU Senior Men’s Team to play an Exeter Chiefs XV at Sandy Park on the 17th May 2025.

This exciting fixture will enable our players to measure themselves against Premiership opposition on the lead into our County Championship Campaign.

We will be announcing travel options and ticket availability in the New Year.

#cornwall, #rugby,

Jewson, St Austell Brewery, MSB Group Mechanical & Electrical Ltd, Ann’s Pasties, RG Kellow Ltd, Kelsall Steele Investment Services Ltd, SUEZ UK, Newells Travel, Trelawny’s Army, Paladin Sports