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Owen Barnes – R.I.P.

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The officers of the CRFU were saddened to learn of the passing of former county player Owen Barnes.

On behalf of the CRFU, President John Sumnall wishes to express the county’s sincerest condolences to Jean, family and many friends of Owen.

The following is published with the kind permission of Phil Westren at the Cornish Pirates;

The Pirates were sorry to hear that a former club captain, Owen Barnes, has passed away at the age of 84.

Of no surprise, the game of rugby was a focus for Owen from a very young age. His father Cedric ‘Ceddie’ Barnes, who had played for Newlyn, was Chairman of Penzance & Newlyn RFC (1949-55) and his brother Ian also played for the Pirates.

After progressing from the club’s Mount’s Bay under 18s team, full-back Owen played over 500 games for the Pirates. A gifted goalkicker, he captained the side in 1965-66, and represented Cornwall on three occasions (1958-60). In later years he was Chairman of the Pirates Mini-Junior Section.

A former Postman and then Removals Business owner, Owen passed away suddenly at his ‘Chygolder Cottage’ home in Tredavoe, where he was also born.

Condolences are expressed to Owen’s wife Jean and all family members, with it confirmed that his funeral will take place THIS Friday 10th September, 2pm at Paul Church. Following the service all are welcomed to the Wake to be held in the Kings Arms opposite the church.

New Season Message from John Sumnall

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Cornwall Rugby Football Union Limited

49, Rose Meadows

GoonhavernTR4 9LB

01872 572788

president@crfu.co.uk

01 September 2021

To all Clubs and Members in Cornwall,

At long last rugby has now returned the new season is upon us and we can enjoy old and new rivalries, old and new friends as well as wondering what this new season will bring to us all.

However, it is the past 18 months that I want to return to in that without much of the remarkable effort and dedication in this period by many of your members I just wonder where rugby in Cornwall would be without them. Their untiring work to ensure their Club was safe and secure for the future as well as keeping in touch with its members generated a camaraderie that saw you all through a most difficult period. Truly magnificent work.

The rugby family in Cornwall is a remarkable family and I must thank you all. Your success has not only seen you safely through the last 18 months it has also helped to secure rugby for the next generation. Thank you.

I am now looking forward to visiting as many Clubs as possible throughout the season and in the meantime may I wish that you all have an enjoyable and successful season.

Once again many thanks.

Yours,

John Sumnall

President.

Community Game Update 31 August

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Return to Rugby We hope you’re all looking forward to the new season, with all formats of rugby back after 18 months.

Best of luck to any club competing in their first league match this weekend and we hope all players, coaches, officials, volunteers and administrators enjoy being back together across the country.

Click below to take you to further detail on each story and please share content with your clubs, coaches, players and volunteers.

1. Rugby’s back! Pitch Up campaign video
New video coming this Wednesday on England Rugby’s social channels and a reminder of assets and activation guide to help clubs prepare for Pitch Up.
2. Covid-19 Management Guide
An update to what clubs will need heading into the new season with an updated guide and player welfare resources.
3. GMS TaskForce and Data Tidy up
A GMS TaskForce has been set up to focus on club feedback on GMS, resolving issues and looking at the user experience. Plus a reminder of the Data Tidy up postponement.
4. Electronic Match Cards and Team Management
An update has been made to the Team Management Module within the Game Management System (GMS) which will influence your club’s line-ups on Electronic Match Card (EMC).
5. Age Grade rugby returns
Age Grade rugby returns this weekend after a disrupted two seasons. A reminder of all the Age Grade Changes can be found here as well as Age Grade Affiliation.
6. Rugby Leader Network
We are looking for the Rugby Leaders of the future. A programme designed to connect, exchange ideas and develop clubs to be fit for the future.
7. News Round-Up: The Touch Union Facebook Group and Vaccination reminder
A new Facebook group for The Touch Union has been created to help members with questions and information on the new non-contact format. A reminder that all those over 16 can now get Covid vaccinations.
8. PDF Copy

Read More

James Murray gets his cap

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James Murray who plays his rugby at Redruth RFC was presented with his U20’s Cornwall cap recently at his home club.

James earned his tie on his first appearance for the U20’s back in February 2019 and was a regular squad member until the last game before Covid 19 struck in the away victory against Gloucestershire in March 2020.  Had it not been for the pandemic he would have potentially made several further appearances and had his cap presented at one of the games in front of his teammates!

James Murray proudly wearing his county under 20 cap

James is currently studying at Cardiff Met University. The CRFU President John Sumnall congratulated James on his achievement and wished him well in his future rugby career.

Congratulation to James on this well-deserved presentation.

Colin Hatch

CornwallU20 Team Manager

Cornwall Under 20 – Player Nomination Form Season 2021-22 – Cut off 5th Sept

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Deadline for clubs to make their nominations is fast approaching, Sunday 5th September, please get your nominated players in asap. Thank you to all clubs who have responded so far.

Details of how players can be nominated for this season’s squad have today been sent to all county club secretaries and club coaches. The completed pro-forma needs to be back with Colin Hatch (Under 20’s Team Manager) by the 5th September.

Please see the details in the link below;

Cornwall Under 20 letter & nomination form

Covid-19-RugbySafe Lead August update

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Sadly the effects and implications are never far away!. Discussions with RFU, other CB’s and clubs show that the odds on clubs not having enough players to fulfil a fixture are very high. Regulation 22 para 6 covers this with Para 7 outlining who has jurisdiction if a fixture cannot be fulfilled. Given the numbers of cancelled warm up fixtures around the county and the long layoff, the temptation to play a match with a weakened team or have players out of position to fulfil a fixture are understandably high. However the guidance from RFU and CRFU is that that regardless of the circumstances, player welfare MUST NOT be prejudiced.

The current guidelines remain in force for Covid and clubs should actively enforce the self – isolation guidelines and mandated obligations should any of their players/personnel either contract Covid or receive notification via the app. Sanitisation and cleaning guidelines for kit and equipment remain. It is in the interests of all Cornish clubs to go beyond mere compliance in their Covid practices, especially given the current high levels of Covid among the age group that comprise the majority of our players. For example, and in order to protect individuals whilst still seeking to fulfil the fixture, one clubs pragmatic approach has resulted them initiating the following process for its players after a limited close contact. This process is endorsed by CRFU RugbySafe and has also been recognised as an example of good practice by other counties.

  1. All players who attend training on both nights should be advised to take a Lateral Flow Test as soon as reasonably practical and then follow the COVID protocol associated with their result.
  2. Additionally, all players who are selected to play on Saturday must provide evidence as to a clear LFT on Saturday on arrival at the Club. 
  3. Opposition teams are to be made aware of the process and advised of the team Covid status on the day of the match

If there are any questions or concerns regarding COVID or any other matter please don’t hesitate to contact rugbysafe@crfu.co.uk

First Aid Risk Assessments, Courses and Proactive App

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This season all clubs should have a First Aid risk assessment in place and next season the requirement for first aid provision increases markedly along with the requirement for an emergency action plan. A well written First Aid RA should include an Emergency action plan so getting it right now will save hassle later. If anyone needs assistance or guidance in getting this essential support tool in place contact rugbysafe@crfu.co.uk. As part of the Risk assessment there should be reference to injury reporting and CRFU have secured 15 licences of the excellent Proactive Injury Reporting App at cheap rate (£30) for Cornish clubs to buy. This is a valuable tool and will make enforcement of the mandated first aid risk assessment much easier for clubs. Again, any questions or requests for a demonstration to rugbysafe@crfu.co.uk

CRFU will be running a series of the well-received First Aid courses over the season. The following dates have limited spaces available : 10th October at St Austell & 17th October at Bodmin. CRFU are always looking to stage more courses so any clubs wishing to take advantage of this excellent course please contact rugbysafe@crfu.co.uk

Bodmin Colt’s Festival – Cancelled

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Due to the increase in positive covid tests, our colt’s festival, due to be held at
Bodmin RFU this Sunday, has been cancelled.

We still have the use of Bodmin RFC on Sunday 12 September and further
information on the format of this day will follow.

Lee Maher

Tony Knightsbridge

Coaching opportunity on County Skills Program

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Cornwall RFU in partnership with the Exeter Chiefs are recruiting coaches for the
Cornwall Skills Programme. This is a development programme for players between
the ages of 14-16 and run at 4 satellite centres throughout Cornwall. A vacancy for a
qualified coach has arisen at our Callywith Centre, Bodmin. The sessions at Callywith are
held weekly on a Monday evening from 1800-2000hrs and remuneration will be £25
per session plus CPD opportunities with the Exeter Chiefs.
Please email Rich Phillips to express interest. Richardphillips@exeterchiefs.co.uk

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