News

New Cornwall shirt unveiled

December 18, 2024 by Bill Hooper

Proud to announce the unveiling of our official playing shirt and introducing our new provider and kit sponsor Paladin Sports.

Not only do we have this stunning design but sublimated in the numbers on the back of the shirt are all the clubs affiliated to the CRFU.

A nod to the the clubs that provide the talent and the support to allow us to represent Cornwall in this iconic shirt.

In the coming weeks we will be highlighting each of our sponsors, to whom we must say a massive thank you for joining us for this season and next.

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

RFU Community Game Update December

December 11, 2024 by Bill Hooper

Redruth to host Tamar Cup match

December 6, 2024 by Bill Hooper

Venue Announcement

Tamar Cup

Cornwall V Devon – KO 14:30
Easter Saturday 19th April 2025

Venue: Redruth RFC.

The CRFU are delighted to help Redruth RFC celebrate their 150th Anniversary at this iconic venue.
Historically a mid-week game, the CRFU hope this Saturday fixture will allow more supporters, and their
families, to come along to the Redruth RFC and cheer on our players.

Cornwall make great start to Hartpury games

December 5, 2024 by Bill Hooper

Cornwall U18 v Dorset & Wilts U18

Report by Paul Howard Team Manager

Sunday was our first game in this year’s U18 SW tournament. Drawn against Dorset & Wilts, we made the long trip to Hartpury College expecting a tough game, after losing to the same side as U17’s earlier in the year.

Cornwall were very slow to get going and for the first 15mins they struggled to get out of their own half, losing the ball in contact or exit poorly. On the positive side, the scrum was dominant, the boys put their bodies on the line and defended heroically holding the ball up over the line 3 times. However, Dorset & Wilts managed to cross the whitewash for 2 well deserved tries.

With the vocal travelling crowd fearing the worst, Cornwall’s nerves settled. The ball handling and decision making improved, and they started to play themselves back into the game. Now on the front foot and in the opposition half, they applied pressure to the opposition defence with the forwards continuing to dominate at scrum time and backs stating to interchange with fluidity, leading to our first try just before half time.

In the 2^nd half, the players confidence grew, and Cornwall had Dorset & Wilts constantly under pressure, with destructive carries from the forwards and the backs slicing through the gain line regularly. Having had the majority of possession, they also found the cutting edge with some defence splitting passes allowing Cornwall to score three more team tries, after strong build up play.

Dorset & Wilts came back with thrilling try right on the final whistle by which time it was too late, and the Cornish contingent celebrated the win with gusto all the way back to the Duchy.

Final score 20-15

Team : Archie Beetles (Capt), Max Walker, Toby Collins, Joe Horne, Oli Wells, Will Pellow, Jake Shirlow, Will Geddes-Brown, Jake Walker, Jacob Bennetts, Max Bennett, Jowan Kerry, Ethan Taylor, Jack Old, Barney Lewis, Leon Holland, Ola Phillips, Peter Fletcher, Tristan Jago, Alfie Middlewood, Cohan Wallace, Ewan Murray, Matt Wright

Try Scorers : Lewis, Murray, Bennett, Holland

Our next game is on the 15^th Dec @ Hartpury v Berkshire. 14:00 KO.

Tamar Cup date announced

November 22, 2024 by Bill Hooper

Tamar Cup 2024/25

Cornwall RFU are pleased to announce that this seasons Tamar Cup will be played on Easter Saturday 19th April 2025 KO 1400 Venue TBC. This is a departure from the traditional mid week fixture and is being played much closer to the start of the County Championship campaign.

We hope that this new approach will enable and encourage Cornish supporters to get right behind the team over the Easter break. We hope to confirm the venue in the next couple of weeks.

CRFU Appoint new Senior XV Backs Coach

November 21, 2024 by Bill Hooper

CRFU President Andy Reed and CRFU Chairman Steve Murley welcome Mal Roberts into his new role as Mens Senior XV Backs coach.

Cornwall Head Coach Graham Dawe said “I’m delighted that Mal has agreed to join our coaching team; our main focus continues to be the County Championship and I’m looking forward to working with Mal as we start to plan ahead of the Championship campaign”

Malcolm Roberts – New Senior Backs Coach welcomed by Andy Reed, Cornwall RFU President and Steve Murley, Cornwall RFU Chairman. – Photo mandatory by-line: ©Simon Bryant/Iktis Photo – 23/10/24, Cornwall, CRFU, County Championship, Sport, Rugby Union, Recreation Ground, Camborne Cornwall.

Mal started his rugby career at Illogan Park, his playing journey took him to Truro, Newbury, Cornish All Blacks and Weston Super Mare. From a Representative Rugby perspective Mal played for Cornwall, England Counties, Barbarians, British Army and Combined Services.

He has coached at a number of Clubs in addition to holding a number of roles with the British Army and Combined Services. Mal was appointed as the British Army Head Coach in 2020.

County Championship Fixtures Released

November 18, 2024 by Bill Hooper

The RFU have recently released County Championship fixtures for our
Men, Women and U20 Teams. There are some mouth watering clashes there
with both our Men and Women playing double Championship winners in
their respective groups. We are working hard behind the scenes to
arrange additional games with potentially some exciting fixtures. As
soon as we have confirmations will be releasing further details

Our mens team kick off their campaign with a home game against
reigning champions Kent who will no doubt be determined to win their
third consecutive title. Cornwall and Kent have won the past 4 County
Championships so this promises to be a titanic encounter. Our final
group game is at Hampshire who will be keen to avenge the defeat at
Redruth last season.

Our Women, semi-finalists last season in their County Championship
Division 2, begin with an away game against reigning two-times County
Champions Hampshire.They then have two home games, the first against
Gloucestershire while the final group game is a fantastic contest
against our friends from the other side of the Tamar, Devon.

Our U20s begin their games at the end of March at home against
Gloucestershire before travelling to play Devon and completing their
group stage with a home game against Somerset.

We will post details of where matches are played as soon as we can, so
you can come along and support your Cornish teams.

Steve Murley

Chairman Cornwall RFU

Bill Beaumont Cup Division 1

Sat 24th May, Cornwall v Kent

Sat 31st May, Hampshire v Cornwall

Gill Burns Cup Division 2

Sun 18th May, Hampshire Women v Cornwall Women

Sun 25th May, Cornwall Women v Gloucestershire Women

Sun 1st Jun, Cornwall Women v Devon Women

Jason Leonard Cup Under 20s County Championship (dates tbc)

29th Mar, Cornwall Under 20 v Gloucestershire Under 20

26th Apr, Devon Under 20 v Cornwall Under 20 (Brunel Cup)

10th May, Cornwall Under 20 v Somerset Under 20

Sun 25th May, Divisional Finals

Note. Finals weekend at Twickenham is the 21/22 June.

Proposed County Deaf XV

November 17, 2024 by Bill Hooper

For further information please contact Daubroy Delahunty.

Cornwall Under 18’s Girls Squad

November 14, 2024 by Bill Hooper

Congratulations to all the girls selected for this season’s Under 18’s squad. You have all come through a tough selection process. To those girls who didn’t make it, commiserations, along with best wishes on your rugby journey.

The squad can now look forward to their programme of matches against Devon, Gloucestershire and Somerset.

Simon Ferguson takes up Diversity and Inclusion role

November 6, 2024 by Bill Hooper

Introduction to New Diversity & Inclusivity Lead

In Simons words:

Simon Ferguson is a broken-down Tighthead, who still occasionally get his boots on for
Redruth Albany, for which he also has the honour of being club president. He moved to
the Duchy eight years ago from Gloucestershire, where his daughter still lives.
He had the good fortune to meet a Cornish maid, who he married in Newquay as one of
the first marriages in the Duchy coming out of Covid. It was to the benefit of both bride
and guests that he was required to wear a mask during much of the ceremony!

Simon is an Army Veteran who also served for a time with the Police, before moving into
social care, via some time with Royal Mail. During his time in the third sector, he
developed an appreciation of the importance of diversity and inclusion. In recognising
that the skills and experiences of people from different backgrounds add to the strength
and richness of our society, Simon took up the opportunity to advocate for some of the
most vulnerable and became an apprentice Social Worker with the local authority. He
was recently awarded a BA (Hons) in Social Work, gaining it a mere 30 years after he
first thought about going to university!

Welcome to the CRFU Management Board Simon, we look forward to working and supporting you in your new role.

Paladin new kit provider for the CRFU

October 28, 2024 by Bill Hooper

Cornwall RFU Unveil New Kit Provider

Tanya Thomas, responsible for Commercial Development for the CRFU met Lewis Dennett, UK Manager for Paladin Sports to sign off on a 4 year contract at a recent meeting at the Penventon Park Hotel. Tanya commented “We are working closely with the Paladin’s designers and our sponsors to create a brand new kit for our representative teams for this coming season”.

Steve Murley, Chairman of the CRFU said “We are looking forward to working with Paladin as our kit supplier. Whilst relatively unknown in the UK. Paladin’s reputation across Australia, New Zealand and the USA is well known”.

Keep following CRFU to see the unveiling of the new kit.

Thank you to Tanya for the hard work in securing this new deal with Paladin Sports.

Club Development & Volunteers Role

September 26, 2024 by Bill Hooper

Club Development & Volunteers

We have a vacancy within the CRFU for a Club Development & Volunteers Lead.

This position is an important part of the Management Board structure, which administers rugby union within the county.

To register your interest, please submit your details by the 11^th October and include the qualities and experience that you would bring to the particular role:

Jane Bell, Hon Secretary, Email: janebellcornishrugby@gmail.com

Club Development & Volunteers Role Description

Courses at risk of not being held

September 18, 2024 by Bill Hooper

The following courses are at risk of being cancelled due to lack of numbers.

First Contact Helston 23/9/25

ERCA Launceston RC 1/12/24 & 29/6/25

Tag Rugby Saltash 30/9/24

Tag Rugby St Austell 30/9/24

If you have anyone at your clubs who need to complete these courses please ask them to book in via their GMS account.

Remember, for these courses the CRFU will refund 100% of any course costing £30 or less. For those +£30, the CRFU will refund 50% of the total cost.

Cornwall Under 20 training squad 2025

September 5, 2024 by Bill Hooper

Cornwall Rugby Football Union Ltd

Cornwall Rugby Football Union Ltd is a Registered Society under The Co-operative and Community
Benefit Societies Act 2014. Register Number 30748R

Colin Hatch
CRFU Under 20 Team Manager (Temporary)
hatch0348@btinternet.com
07967725368
03 September 2024

Dear Club Secretary / Coach,

Cornwall Under 20 – Training Squads 2025

I am writing as the temporary CRFU Under 20 Team Manager to ask for your assistance with
the coming season. Cornwall U20’s enters the Jason Leonard Cup, the County Championship
for that age group. Last season we had representation from over 14 different Cornish clubs
which is a fantastic achievement. We are looking to start training in January 2025, depending on
confirmation of the fixtures from the RFU.

The squad will be coached by Rich Kevern who also acts as a link for these young players into
the full County squad. We will be holding training sessions commencing in January 2025 on
Sunday mornings at Truro college between 1000 -1200 with the aim of building a squad for the
Jason Leonard Cup U20 County Championship.
We would like you to nominate players that you feel have the skill / knowledge and potential to
represent your club at County Under 20 level.

The requirements are nominated players must be under 20 years of age on 1 st September
2024, however, they must also be over the age of 18 before they can train as it is classed as
adult rugby and registered as an adult player with your club.
If you wish to discuss any potential players, then please do not hesitate to contact myself in the
first instance on the details above or in the county handbook. I thank you in anticipation of your
support. Please complete and return the pro forma (link below) by 05 October 2024 to me or the assistant
team manager Terry Williams, by email or over the phone.
Yours sincerely,

Colin Hatch
Under 20 Team Manager (Temporary)
07967725368

Cornwall Rugby Football Union Ltd

Link to letter and nomination of player form

Courses in Cornwall 24/25 season

August 28, 2024 by Bill Hooper

Please see above for details and booking instructions.

Please note 6th October Development Day.

Under 16 Rugby Tournament in Quimper, Brittany

July 19, 2024 by Bill Hooper

We have just ended the great tournament in the East of Paris (2 Belgian sides have won it against 2 Irish sides, U14, U16) and Quimper Rugby Club.

For the 20th anniversary of the U16 tournament next year will love to get many teams over from Cornwall

If some of the clubs you know wish to come over next year at Easter in Brittany, they can come to the great event held in Quimper, we can help them in doing so or they can go direct if they know the place….

FRIDAY 18TH APRIL TO MONDAY 21ST APRIL 2025

Here is below/attached a sample of itinerary / program for next year;

Players born in 2009-2010 (U16, U15) (note that in France, U16 age group gathers both U16 & U15 players).

A local Breton contact if you prefer to speak with them first. Jean-Herve Lacroix email: jeanhervelacroix29@orange.fr , mobile 00 33 682083313

Launceston Under 16s have participated in this tournament for the last 2 years and have enjoyed the experience with our Breton friends. Clubs may wish to approach them for their feedback on the tournament, which sees clubs from all over France, Belgium and other countries compete.

For more information contact https://www.comeonsport.com/packages/rugby-tour-to-brittany/

Upcoming courses in Cornwall

July 4, 2024 by Bill Hooper

Here is a list of the upcoming RFU courses in Cornwall.

These can be booked now via your GMS account.

How to book on a course – https://help.rfu.com/support/solutions/articles/103000064039-how-do-i-book-a-course-

Cornwall RFU will consider assisting either yourself or your Club with the cost of the course. After completion of an education course (ERCA, ERRA, First Aid) a course reimbursement form can be forwarded onto the Game development committee via Daubroy Delahunty – gamedevelopment@CRFU.co.uk.

Kids First Tag Course 24/25
Saltash	Monday 30^th September	https://tinyurl.com/24byy87y
St Austell	Monday 30th September	https://tinyurl.com/5yt3shbw

First Contact 24/25
Launceston	Monday 09^th September	Monday 23^rd September	https://tinyurl.com/mrxpfzay
Truro	Monday 02^nd September	Monday 16^th September	https://tinyurl.com/4wh2tf34
Helston	Monday 23^rd September	Monday 07^th October	https://tinyurl.com/3kuzu44x

Principles of Scrummaging Courses 24/25
St Austell	Sunday 06^th October (AM)	https://tinyurl.com/3xjs7p2z
St Austell	Sunday 06th October (PM)	https://tinyurl.com/yc369vks

Principles of Lineout Courses 24/25
St Austell	Sunday 06th October (AM)	https://tinyurl.com/3mvy39jv
St Austell	Sunday 06th October (PM)	https://tinyurl.com/4w32sstj

England Rugby Coaching Award (ERCA) and England Rugby Referee Award (ERRA) are also active on GMS to book

Webinars

Building your Volunteer Team	Wednesday 24th July 7pm-8pm	https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_3JBLULlZR6edLeM6Hy2-UQ#/registration
Effective Safeguarding: Preparing Your Club for the Season Ahead	Wednesday 14th August 7pm-8pm	https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_7AUpejt6Qxe9wmwf5ltg4Q#/registration

Training Courses 24/25 Season

June 25, 2024 by Bill Hooper

What Training Course is Right for Me

Please click on the attached link where you will be directed to the England Rugby
Course Booklet. Here you will find all the information required to ensure the course you
choose is correct for your needs. The CRFU will, on receipt of a successful completion
shown on your GMS profile, refund the full amount of any course up to the value of
£30.00, and 50% above that amount.

Training Courses Booklet 24/25

Developing England Players (U14-U18 Skill Development Programme)

April 26, 2024 by Bill Hooper

This course is for Coaches of U14-U18 Players and focuses on the development of high quality coaching of catch and pass skills. The course explores how we use the game zone/skill zone model to introduce, develop, and stretch players ability to catch and pass under pressure.

These courses are FREE, book via GMS.

Time 18:30 – 20:30

Pre-requisite – Coaches must be at least 16 years old on event start date

3rd June at Saltash RFC https://tinyurl.com/5t33a33m

5th June at Launceston RC https://tinyurl.com/3vy7meve

17th June at St. Austell RFC https://tinyurl.com/4j9kxpvv

10th July at Redruth RFC https://tinyurl.com/3xu94nxd

Sponsor Spotlight – MSB Helston

February 26, 2024 by Bill Hooper

Cornwall Rugby Football Union are proud to unveil yet another primary sponsor MSB Group Mechanical & Electrical LTD

MSB Group Mechanical & Electrical LTD are an experienced and professional team of mechanical and electrical engineers.

They specialise in all aspects of electrical and mechanical applications including gas, appliance repair, install and maintenance for large commercial operators.

They are based in Helston, Cornwall and their team of industry experts are able to operate anywhere in the UK.

Their professional and extensive services are also available for domestic customers.

Home – MSB Group

Facebook

Sponsor Spotlight

February 25, 2024 by Bill Hooper

CRFU are delighted to introduce another new sponsor for this season. Lusty Glaze. This privately owned cove has been crowned Britain’s Best Beach by the Sunday Times and named Cornwall’s most Instagrammable Wedding Venue.

Lusty Glaze is purely a slice of Cornish Heaven.

Check out 129 Restaurant – www.onetwentynine.co.uk for an unforgettable eatery experience with view defying description.

Sponsor’s Spotlight

February 22, 2024 by Bill Hooper

Today we turn the spotlight on Ann’s Pasties

The CRFU are delighted to welcome back Ann’s Pasties as one of our valued sponsors for 2024.

Here is a little background information on our pasty provider;

About Ann

All of the women in my mother’s Cornish family traditionally made pasties.

I learned to make pasties in an emergency, I was summoned by my mother, Hettie Merrick, a professional pasty-maker, to a Breton agricultural fair, where demand was dramatically and unexpectedly outstripping supply at a stall mother had set up. At the end of a day of pasty-making, I could crimp them as fast as my mother, which was the perfect confidence boost and eye opener into the fact that there was a business to be had producing a good Cornish pasty.

Soon afterwards I began making pasties for my neighbours, who’d bring gifts of fresh fish they’d caught or vegetables they’d grown, and who treated my living room like a waiting room, sitting around gossiping over cups of tea if the pasties hadn’t come out of the oven yet.

Inspired by the response, mother and I started selling our wares from a stall at the nearby market town of Helston. We soon found business good enough to graduate to a shop in Porthleven. But when juggling family and pasty shop became too much, my husband transformed the garage of our house at the Lizard into a pasty kitchen, where I was able to crimp with one eye on the family.

The business has since flourished, so much so that my son Fergus has stepped in to help keep up with the demand! The family recipe lives on through Fergus who makes a pasty so good even mother approves!

Link to online pasty shop

Match Official Abuse from 1st January 2024

January 6, 2024 by Bill Hooper

The RFU Head of Judiciary has issued new guidelines in respect of Match Official Abuse cases as and from 1st January 2024.

The CRFU policy of adding 1 week aggravation to proven cases has now been replaced by a national aggravation policy, which CRFU Disciplinary will be implementing immediately. The aggravation sanctions are now much more severe!

These new regulations DO NOT apply to Age Grade rugby. Therefore the CRFU 1 week aggravation for cases of Match Official Abuse will continue to be applied in any Age Grade cases.

Please read and take note of the new guidance in the link

Bill Hooper

CRFU Discipline Secretary