Cornwall at Twickenham 2014
Cornwall Rugby Football Union (CRFU) confirmed this week the management structure for the senior representative rugby teams for the 2014-2015 season.
Senior Men’s XV
Coach – Graham Dawe
Coach – Ian Morgan
Strength & Condition Coach – James Earp
Team Manager – Ewart White
Assistant Team Manager – Trevor Spargo
Under 20 XV
Coach – Mike Rawlings
Coach – Brynn Jenkins
Coach – Tom Rawlings
Coach – Ian Morgan
Team Manager – Chris Lea
Assistant Team Manager – Colin Hatch
Senior Women’s XV
Coach – Paul Woodhead assisted by Andy Demaine,
Niall Devenish, David Roberts and Martin Rodea
Team Manager – Amy Collins
Assistant Team Manager – Maggie Notman
Cornwall Clubs’ XV
Coach / Team Manager – Stuart Hood & Robin Johns
County Selectors
Terry Carter, Graham Still, Alan Milliner, Trevor Spargo & Julian Wilce
CRFU President John Grindle said, “I am delighted that the CRFU have made an early decision on these very important appointments. This will enable the individuals to get on with the planning stage for the coming season. I am also delighted that there has been little change in the structure and this bodes well to enable them to build on the good work that has been put in over the past couple of years.”
The first representative game for Cornwall is in the County Championship Under 20 competition where Cornwall will be home to Gloucestershire on Sunday 30 November. Letters have been sent to all clubs within the County asking coaches to put forward names of suitable players by the 15 September to the manager Chris Lea or Colin Hatch. Preparation is already under way for training and selection sessions and to build a squad for the season. Eligible player must be under 20 by the first day of September 2014, and at least 17 years of age on the day of the match.
Team Manager Chris Lea said, “I am pleased that we have kept together the same management set up as last season and hope to build on the progress we made. We only lost a few players on age grounds but during the off season Tyler Gendall, Locryn Williams and Brad Howe have all joined the Cornish Pirates Player Development Squad. This is a loss to us but we offer them our congratulations and wish them every success in their aim of becoming professional rugby players. We are looking for new talent to join the section of Cornish rugby and I would urge all club’s to come forward and nominate suitable players for us to consider.”
Pic Simon Bryant Iktis photo – Tyler Gendall in action for the Cornish Pirates against Aberavon
The three players mentioned above plus Jack Innard from this season join Under 20 players from the previous season who entered the ranks of professional rugby, Max Bodilly, Tom Hendrickson, Matt Bolwell, Kyle Moyle, and Mike Roach. Having Ian Morgan assisting with the coaching also allows players to have a pathway into the Senior Men’s XV, last season Tyler Gendall and Neil Stanleick were both selected as travelling reserves in County Championship fixtures.
Cornwall Clubs’ XV give players in Cornwall 1 and 2 leagues the opportunity of pulling on the famous black and gold shirt. Stuart and Robin will be talking to those clubs and observing players at that level for selection. It is hoped that this season we will play a game against similar league level from Devon for the first time. If it is a success it could well become an annual event in the Club’s calendar.
The Senior Women’s XV compete in their own County Championship competition, players are drawn mainly from Liskeard Leopards, Newquay and Penryn. New players are always welcome and anyone interested in joining as a player or assisting should contact Ann Demaine in the first instance.
The RFU launched a new Women and Girls (WAG) strategy document on the September 3 at the Houses of Parliament which aims to bring rugby to an additional 100,000 women and girls on the back of the England Women’s World Cup success.
Cornwall Senior Women’s team manager Amy Collins said, “England already has the largest Women and Girls player base of 180,000 and in Cornwall we aim to do our bit at all levels to raise the numbers even further.”
The Senior Men’s XV have retained the services of Graham Dawe, Ian Morgan and James Earp, with Julian Wilce joining the team of selectors. Julian represented Cornwall on 17 occasions whilst playing for Launceston and Wadebridge Camels.
CRFU Chair Denis Preece said, “It’s good news that we retained these people to build on the work they started last season. I know we were all disappointed to lose a second Twickenham final but that is now history and we start the build up to the 2014 / 2015 season. I am also delighted to welcome Julian as one of our selectors; he brings with him experience both at club and county level.”
Pic Simon Bryant Iktis photo – Greg Goodfellow Cornwall’s scrum-half celebrating a try
Cornwall Coach Graham Dawe said, “I am pleased to have been asked to continue in my role as coach of Cornwall and work alongside Ian and Earpy again. We all saw the passion that rugby generates in the County, that’s with the players, back room staff and of course the supporters in fact everybody who is involved. We have held a debrief meeting and want to build on the good points but also improve on the areas where we were not quite as strong. The coaching staff and selectors have been out before the official season kicks off looking at existing and new players that come to our attention.”
The senior XV dates and fixtures for the coming season have been released:
Saturday 9 May away to Gloucestershire
Saturday 16 May away to Kent – Gravesend RFC
Saturday 23 May home to Hertfordshire
Finals day Sunday 31 May @ Twickenham
