Notice is hearby given for the CRFU Finance Annual General Meeting to be held at Bodmin RFC on Wednesday 14th October, 7 pm.
We look forward to seeing our clubs attendance.
CRFU
All Club Coaches
We are pleased to let you know that the Exeter Chiefs Academy Coach Development Officer
will be delivering a practical training session at Truro College on Monday 19th October 18.00-
20.00. This workshop will focus on effective coaching methods and enjoyable, player centred
training techniques designed to help young athletes grow in a positive, supportive
environment. It’s a great opportunity to pick up fresh ideas and strengthen the way we
develop our players across the county.
Please copy and paste link bellow to register your interest.
Cornwall County Boys U17/18 Coaches
Coaches Required
Cornwall U17/U18 County Boys Programme. This is a volunteer position
Cornwall RFU is seeking committed, development focused coaches to join the U17/U18 Boys
County Programme for the 2026/27 season. This is a key representative pathway supporting
talented players progressing toward senior county rugby and national opportunities.
We are looking for coaches who:
Have experience working with colts or age grade performance groups
Can deliver high quality, safe, and engaging sessions Understand player development, growth mindset coaching, and the RFU age grade framework
Work well within a multidisciplinary coaching team.
Role includes:
Leading and assisting training blocks
Contributing to player assessment and selecti
Supporting matchday preparation and performance
Providing positive, respectful role-modelling for young athletes
If you are passionate about developing Cornwall’s emerging talent, please get in touch to
express interest.
Please contact Tony Knightsbridge in the first instance for an informal chat 07944 731625
Cornwall Girls Under 18s – Parental Consent
As we prepare for the 2026/27 representative season, we’re inviting nominations for U18 Girls ready to progress to Cornwall County Trials from Coaches and PE Teachers along with the submission of a Consent to Participate from a Parent or Guardian. Please see link to parental consent form below.
Please ensure this form is completed and submitted by close of business Friday 9th October 2026 as without this, the player will be ineligible to trial.
Tribute CRFU Super Cup Final Launceston winners
Saturday 5th September sees the Super Cup final played as a round robin competition between, Launceston, Wadebridge Camels and Penzance & Newlyn.
The tournament will be held at Polson Bridge, Launceston RC.
Entry for spectators will be £5, with Under 16s free entry.
The format will be 40 minute matches played over 2 halves of 20 minutes.
Programme of matches is as follows;
Launceston v Penzance & Newlyn, kick-off 2:30 pm
Wadebridge Camels v Launceston kick-off 3:30 pm
Wadebridge Camels v Penzance & Newlyn, kick-off 4:30 pm
Presentation of cup and medals will then follow.
UPDATE
Congratulations to Launceston RC on winning the Super Cup with Penzance & Newlyn RFC runners-up.
SEASON DELAY GUIDANCE
| SEASON DELAY GUIDANCE Following the announcement last week that the start of the competitive community rugby season has been delayed by two weeks, please find further guidance below to help guide CBs, referee societies, clubs, schools, colleges, universities, coaches, referees and volunteers through the upcoming weeks. As you know, RFU community rugby competitions below the men’s national league and the women’s PWR have been delayed until the week commencing 21 Sep. CBs, schools, colleges and universities are responsible for when non-RFU league and cup competitions will start. The additional RFU guidance includes information on evaluating the safety of pitches, returning players to game fitness in the build-up to the start of the competitive season, guidance on age grade rugby and more. Please share this information widely within your organisations. |
| VIEW GUIDANCE > |
STATEMENT ON START OF THE COMPETITIVE COMMUNITY RUGBY SEASON
| STATEMENT ON START OF THE COMPETITIVE COMMUNITY RUGBY SEASON After careful consideration and extensive consultation with clubs across England, we have decided to delay the start of the competitive community game season until the week commencing Monday 21 September. We appreciate this will be disappointing news to clubs, players and volunteers who have been getting ready for and looking forward to the new season but there are a range of factors we’ve considered carefully before making this decision. Executive summary – what this means for rugby • National League Rugby (NLR) can make a decision subject to RFU oversight on RFU Men’s League matches at National League 1 & 2 to take place before 21 September. • No competitive matches in RFU Men’s leagues at Regional 1 and below or RFU Women’s Leagues below PWR level will take place before 21 September. • Merit leagues are governed by Constituent Bodies (CB). Fixtures due to take place before 21 September are subject to any CB decision, considering any RFU guidance at the time. • Age grade matches in RFU competitions due to take place before 21 September have been postponed with details below of alternative dates. • Friendly matches, where possible due to local conditions, player readiness and safety, may go ahead in order to help prepare players for the competitive season. • Training can continue but it is important pitch safety is assessed before every session and RFU guidance is followed on modifying contact activity on hard grounds. • All rugby activity, including that taking place outside of RFU league matches is subject to continual review and the RFU expects to issue further guidance to clubs, CBs, schools, colleges and universities in the coming weeks or when new information is available. Why we’re making this call now As outlined in our recent guidance on managing pitches and training in drought conditions, prolonged dry weather has left many grounds across the country hard and unsuitable for safe full-contact activity. With no meaningful or lengthy spells of rain currently forecast, these ground conditions are not expected to improve significantly in the short term. With this in mind, we have taken the decision to delay and to give everyone certainty now. We understand a delayed start has real practical implications – travel bookings, catering and food orders, volunteer planning and more – and we know volunteers always value as much time as possible to plan around a confirmed date rather than a moving target. This decision has been made on three grounds: • Player welfare – hard, dry pitches increase the risk of injury, particularly in the opening weeks of the season when players are returning to full contact. We recognise that many clubs have had to limit contact training in pre-season training due to the pitch conditions. We want players to return to competition safely and adequately prepared. • Competition integrity – starting the season on pitches that aren’t fit for purpose risks uneven conditions and disruption across fixtures as well as offering advantages for those clubs able to prepare players during pre-season using Artificial Grass Pitches (AGP) – undermining fair competition from the outset. • Planning – a clear, decisive two-week delay gives clubs, schools, colleges and universities the certainty needed to plan training, fixtures, travel and logistics with confidence. What this means for adult competitions • All fixtures in men’s leagues at Regional 1 level and below due to take place before 21 September should not go ahead as planned; these matches will instead be rearranged by Regional Organising Committees (ROC). It is expected that the November break remains in place. • All fixtures in women’s leagues below PWR currently scheduled to take place before 21 September should not go ahead as planned; these matches will instead be rearranged by RFU Competitions. • Local merit leagues and merit tables are governed and administered by Constituent Bodies under the overarching authority and general regulations of the RFU. CBs, competition organisers and clubs playing in these leagues will be provided with the suggested guidance from the RFU in regard to the start to the season. • Training can continue in the meantime, but it is important pitch safety is assessed before every session and continue to follow our guidance on modifying contact activity on hard grounds – including greater use of ACTIVATE, avoiding repeated practices that take players to ground, and considering Rugby 365 AGP hire where available. What this means for age grade competitions • RFU Continental Tyres Schools Cups – U18s will now start from the round two date of 28 September, and U15s from 5 October, with an additional round added in January/February. Schools and Academies will work together to address player load. • AoC Sport College Leagues – will start from 28 September, with extra rounds added in spare weeks or January. • RFU ACE Boys League – will start from the week commencing 21 September, using reserve dates and working with teams to reschedule. • RFU ACE Girls League – will start from its round two date of the week commencing 21 September, with an additional round to be identified in January. • Local leagues, cups and competitions are governed and administered by Constituent Bodies under the overarching authority and general regulations of the RFU. CBs, competition organisers and teams playing in these leagues will be provided with this suggested guidance from the RFU in regard to the start to the season. • Training can continue in the meantime, but it is important pitch safety is assessed before every session and continue to follow our guidance on modifying contact activity on hard grounds – including greater use of ACTIVATE, avoiding repeated practices that take players to ground, and considering Rugby 365 AGP hire where available. The following competitions are unaffected due to planned start dates/availability of AGPs and will maintain their existing calendar positions: • RFU Clubs U18 Boys & Girls Cups and U16 Girls Cup • RFU/PREM Academy League • BUCS Super Rugby Men’s League • BUCS Super Rugby Women’s League • BUCS Leagues This doesn’t mean staying away from rugby clubs A delayed start to contact fixtures doesn’t mean a delayed start for your club as a whole. We’d encourage adult and age grade players, coaches and volunteers alike to keep getting down to the club over the coming weeks. T1 Rugby and non-contact formats remain a great way to get members to your clubhouse and keep them active – subject to the usual pitch risk assessment – while also giving squads valuable time to properly prepare for the return to contact when the season begins. Looking ahead: the Rugby Competition Landscape Review This decision also feeds into a wider conversation the game needs to have. The RFU’s ongoing review of the Rugby Competition Landscape is examining, among other things, how a changing climate may affect the structure and length of the domestic season going forward. As dry spells and unpredictable weather become more frequent, we recognise the traditional season shape may need to evolve to protect player welfare, pitch quality and competition integrity in future years. We’ll share more on the findings and recommendations of this review in due course, with opportunities for clubs to feed in as it progresses. We understand the decision to delay the start of the season will be disappointing but hope it helps minimise disruption and impact on volunteers. We haven’t taken the decision lightly. Thank you for your patience and understanding, and for continuing to prioritise player safety and pitch care during this period. |
| MORE INFO AND Q&A > |
RugbySafe & Player Welfare role
Applications are invited for the role of RugbySafe Lead & Player Welfare
For an informal discussion contact Steve Murley – CRFU Chair on 07802 647052.
Applicants should send a CV and brief covering letter to CRFU Secretary Jane Bell at
janebellcornishrugby@gmail.com.
Closing Date for Applications: 22nd August 2026
CRFU Hon. Treasurer role
The role description can be found in the link.
For an informal discussion contact Steve Murley – Chair CRFU on 07802 647052
Applicants should send a CV and brief covering letter to CRFU Secretary Jane Bell at
janebellcornishrugby@gmail.com.
Closing Date for Applications: 22nd August 2026
Vice President’s Subscriptions
Annual CRFU Vice President Subscriptions – thank you to all those who paid on July 1st for the coming year. A number of people are however still paying the old fee of £25 (changed w.e.f. July 1st 2025 to £35). Would any of those to whom this is applicable please remit the balance and look to amend any standing orders / direct debits for next time.
Upcoming Development Opportunities
We’ve got a big summer of coach development ahead, with several opportunities designed to support the continuous growth of your coaches — because when we invest in coaches, we invest in players.
These sessions are real opportunities to strengthen your club’s future, so please make the most of them.
XV Aside Coaching Performance Day – Saturday 11 July Featuring guest coaches Ricky Pellow & Joe Walsh. A high‑quality practical day for coaches at all levels. 
Book here: https://www.coachcentered.com/shop/p/saturday-11th-july-cornwall-xv-aside-coaching-performance-day
Recruiting, Deploying & Developing Coaches Workshop – Monday 3 August, 7pm (St Austell) Our first workshop in Cornwall focused on building and sustaining a strong coaching workforce.
England Rugby Learning – RFU Transition Briefings The RFU are transitioning to the new England Rugby Learning platform this summer. This will change how coaches, referees and volunteers access learning.
Please share these briefing sessions with your teams:
• 06 July – 7pm
• 07 July – 6pm
• 08 July – 7pm
• 13 July – 7pm
• 14 July – 12:30pm
• 15 July – 12:30pm
• 15 July – 6:30pm
All session links are available via the RFU Teams events pages.
Let’s continue building strong, confident and well supported coaches across Cornwall. Please share with your club coaching teams.
Daubroy Delahunty
CRFU Game Development
CRFU Commercial Lead – Vacancy
Commercial Development Lead
The CRFU is seeking a dynamic and relationship-driven volunteer as its Commercial
Development Lead to support the growth and sustainability of rugby across the Duchy.
This voluntary role covers all Senior Men’s, Senior Women’s, and U20s teams, with
close links into the wider age-grade pathway.
It offers the chance to champion Cornish rugby, strengthen our commercial foundations,
and deepen our connection with one of the most passionate rugby communities in England.
What the role involves: Click on link to read further.
No Ref, No Game: Keeping Respect at the Heart of Our Sport
Please take note and apply the following.
Rugby is more than just a sport; it’s a community built on Integrity, Discipline, and Respect. At the center of every match is the referee—the person who makes the game possible. Whether we win or lose, how we treat the official defines who we are as a club.
The Cost of Dissent
When players shout, coaches vent, or supporters jeer from the sidelines, the damage goes deeper than a simple penalty:
- For the Referees: Constant criticism leads to burnout and mental fatigue. Many officials, especially at the grassroots level, are walking away from the game because the environment has become too hostile.
- For the Game: If we lose our referees, we lose our fixtures. It’s that simple. A lack of respect tarnishes rugby’s unique reputation and creates a toxic atmosphere for everyone involved.
- For the Players: A team focused on arguing with or abusing the ref is a team that has lost its focus on the match. Poor discipline on the sidelines leads to poor discipline on the pitch, resulting in cards and lost points.
The Power of Respect
When we champion the referee, the game thrives. An official who feels respected is more confident, making for a fairer, faster, and more enjoyable match. By showing respect, we teach our younger players the true meaning of sportsmanship and ensure that our club remains a welcoming place for everyone.
Our Commitment
We are calling on every player, coach, and supporter to lead by example. Make sure your club is known for its passion on the pitch and its class on the sidelines. Challenge negative behavior when you see it and remember: the referee is a human being doing their best for the sport we love.
We don’t need a committee meeting or a new season to change the culture. We need to hold ourselves to a higher standard every time we pull on the jersey or stand on the touchline.
This should start now.
NB. Regretably this season a team has had to be excluded from an Age Grade competition due to match official abuse towards a referee. We will not hesitate to repeat if further cases take place at any level of the game.
CRFU Handbook 25/26 season
The current handbook can be accessed here.
Match Official Abuse from 1st January 2024
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
Reggie Gough steps down as CRFU RugbySafe and Player Welfare Lead
CRFU announces that Reggie Gough will be stepping down from his role as RugbySafe and
Player Welfare Lead due to increased work commitments.
Designated a “Golden Role” by the RFU as because of its importance in protecting player
welfare and supporting the safe delivery of the game, Reggie provided vital oversight,
guidance and assurance to our clubs so they could meet required standards and promote a
proactive culture of safety and care. In August 2024, at Reggie’s suggestion, the RugbySafe
role was expanded to include Player Welfare, recognising the need to support wider
wellbeing such as mental health.
Reggie has been excellent at pro-actively supporting club RugbySafe leads, themselves
recognised as holding important “Golden Roles” within their clubs. He has provided advice,
guidance and practical support to help them understand their responsibilities, strengthen
local processes, access training and resources, and manage incident reporting.
He has led improvements to the procurement, management and updating of emergency medical equipment for CRFU representative rugby, including procuring casualty shelters to
protect injured players and medical staff while further assistance is awaited.
Reggie helped improve first aid training for Cornish clubs by identifying a preferred local
provider and establishing a simple booking process for the 2025/2026 season onwards, with
courses available at club premises or the provider’s training centre.
For representative rugby, Reggie helped ensure appropriately qualified medical cover was in
place for critical training events and matches, from age-grade rugby through to our Senior
teams.
He contributed to the review and rewriting of concussion and wider player welfare policies
and procedures, providing a stronger foundation for clubs and representative rugby activity.
As part of the wider CRFU Rugby Camp Committee, Reggie also helped improve processes
to ensure rugby camps and associated activities are managed consistently and safely across
the county.
CRFU is grateful to Reggie for the innovation, commitment, expertise and energy he has
brought to this important area of work. His contribution has raised the profile of RugbySafe
and Player Welfare across Cornwall, strengthened support for club RugbySafe leads, and
provided a platform on which the County can continue to build.
Reggie is able to continue in his post for a short period to help his successor to become
accustomed to the requirements of the role. This will be advertised on the CRFU website
and other social media in the next few days.
We thank Reggie sincerely for his service and wish him well for the future.
CRFU management Board
