Despite strong feelings of community and satisfaction with quality of life from local residents, Redruth Rugby is situated in one of the most deprived areas of the country, adding an extra hurdle against the academic achievements and employment prospects of local young people. The recent economic recession has only made a bad situation worse, making the prospect of find work more remote for many of the area’s young people.

Redruth Rugby has always offered youngsters a great pathway to confidence and discipline, whilst building important teamwork skills, through it’s Mini-Junior rugby programme. Kids can participate in the scheme from the age of 7 upwards, finding friends for life whilst playing a great sport, and the process is continued into our country-leading Colts teams.

The Academy system is the natural extension of Redruth Rugby’s devotion to youth development. In partnership with Redruth School, the Academy encourages 16-18 year olds to stay at college and continue their academic development whilst pursuing their potential sporting careers.

However, playing rugby is not to everyone’s tastes, and Redruth Rugby is now offering a range of alternative support schemes to help young people bolster their knowledge and CVs to make them more competitive in the Cornwall and national jobs market.

Firstly, Redruth Rugby is run almost entirely by volunteers, and there is always plenty of projects – both traditional and cutting-edge -  which need fresh volunteers to help with. Volunteering always looks great on any CV, and can often be the distinguishing factor between similar candidates. The club is able to offer a range of volunteering opportunities to suit any skill set: visit our Volunteering Opportunities page to find out what’s available.

Secondly, the club is launching a set of modern journalism courses. The Redruth Rugby Sports Reporter courses will be aimed at anyone between the ages of 8-18, and will aim to provide skills not just relevant to budding journos but for anyone working in front of a computer in any capacity… so pretty much anyone! The short courses will focus on 5 key themes:

• Research – using the Internet to find out more about your subject
• Audiences – who are you trying to talk to, what will interest them, and what do you want them to do?
• Images – using free software to manipulate images
• Writing – formatting options and linking for online content
• Promotion – how to bring your audience to your content

The starter courses will start with the basic concepts, and later courses will expand into more technical areas. Participants completing the courses will receive a pass certificate, and a graduation day will be planned towards the end of the season. For more information, contact Ross at

Address:
Redruth RFC Ltd,
The Recreation Ground,
Redruth,
Cornwall,
TR15 1SY.

Clubhouse Telephone: 01209 215520

General Email Enquiries: info@redruthrugby.com
Match Photos: photos@redruthrugby.com

Club Contacts

Club President – Derek Collins : President@redruthrugby.com

Executive Chairman & Director of Rugby – David Penberthy : 07966 532404, DirectorOfRugby@redruthrugby.com

Club Secretary – Roger Watson : 01872 530687, Secretary@redruthrugby.com

General Manager – Gerald Reilly : GeneralManager@redruthrugby.com

Mini-Juniors – Nigel Eathorne: 01209 718154, mini-juniors@redruthrugby.com

Assistant Club Treasurer & Membership Secretary – Alan Nettle : 01209 313990, Treasurer@redruthrugby.com

Clubhouse Manager – Chris Allen : 01209 215520, 07788 563083, Clubhouse@redruthrugby.com

Commercial Manager – Jeff Knuckey : 01736 850039, CommercialManager@redruthrugby.com

Retail Manager – Katie Bawden-Tucknott : Shop@redruthrugby.com

Fixture Secretary – Peter Flack : 01209 213171 Day, 01209 218405 Eve, FixtureSecretary@redruthrugby.com

Webmaster – Ross Tucknott : @RossiT (Twitter), LinkedIn, Webmaster@redruthrugby.com

Programme Editor – Nick Serpell : 07811 433134, MatchProgramme@RedruthRugby.com

In September 2009 the club decided to “adopt” Marshall Janson and elect him Honorary Junior Vice President. This is why…

Marshall Janson, from Carharrack, near Redruth, celebrated his first birthday on 22 December 2008. On Boxing Day, Marshall was rushed into hospital following an attack of Meningococcal Meningitis. Meningitis is a brutal and unforgiving disease.

Dr Thys De Beer, Head of Intensive Care at Treliske Hospital stated, “Marshall is the sickest child I have ever seen. His survival is almost a miracle.”

While Marshall escaped brain damage, he had to have both his hands and both his legs amputated.

Marshall now faces a lifetime of rehabilitation while adapting to the use of prosthetic limbs. Because he is so young Marshall will continually require new prosthetic limbs as he grows. To put this in perspective, Marshall will require at least one pair of hands and one pair of legs, at least once a year, every year until he is 18. His first pair of hands will cost £14,172 – EACH. His first pair of legs will cost £9,727 – EACH. Over the next 16 years it is estimated, therefore, that the costs involved will be between £850,000-£950,000.

Obviously, the cost of providing Marshall with a decent quality of life is quite breathtaking – and considerably beyond the resources of Marshall’s family or, indeed, most families. It is because of the huge cost involved that the family launched HANDSTAND – The Appeal for Marshall Janson.

The HANDSTAND Appeal was launched on 05 March 2009 and the response has been astonishing. In July of this year the HANDSTAND Appeal reached £200,000. “To have raised this amount of money in 15 months is amazing”, said Moss Janson, Marshall’s dad. “Marshall’s plight seems to have brought out the best in people. The Cornish are renowned for looking after their own and that is certainly the case with Marshall. So many people have ‘adopted’ him, taken him to their hearts, and done extraordinary things to raise funds on his behalf. We are grateful beyond words for their support and kindness.”

Marshall, now two-years-old, despite everything he has been through, remains a very happy little boy but his struggles seem endless and daunting. As recently as May he had to undergo further surgery, during which surgeons had to trim the bone on his right leg, causing Marshall terrible pain and discomfort. Doctors have not ruled out further surgery.

“We just have to soldier on and do our best for him”, said mum Stephanie. “What sustains us is that we are not alone, though. So many people have done so much for Marshall. He has a long, hard road ahead of him and we still have a financial mountain to climb but we have more hope now than we did a year ago. And, of course, we still have Marshall. We came very close to losing him, so every day is a blessing.”

HANDSTAND RUGBY

A crucial part of the fundraising effort for Marshall is HANDSTAND Rugby. HANDSTAND Rugby was born by the creation of the HANDSTAND Harlequins – a Rugby team set up to play charity games and raise funds for the Appeal. The initiative received the immediate endorsement of Phil Vickery, the Wasps, England and British & Irish Lions prop forward. The former England captain said, “As a Dad, Meningitis is every parent’s worst nightmare. I hope that the HANDSTAND Appeal raises a lot of much needed funds to help baby Marshall in his life.”

Phil’s clothing company, Raging Bull, provided the playing kit for the HANDSTAND Harlequins’ first appearance – at the Penryn Easter Rugby Sevens Tournament in April 2009. In June, the HANDSTAND Harlequins organised a fundraising lunch at the Royal Duchy Hotel in Falmouth. The principal guest was the Welsh & Lions’ legend Mervyn Davies.

THE HANDSTAND APPEAL & REDRUTH RUGBY

In September 2009, Redruth Rugby announced that they were ‘adopting’ Marshall, and he was subsequently elected Honorary Junior Vice President of the Club and the HANDSTAND logo was incorporated onto the first team’s playing shirt. The Club have committed to a number of fundraising initiatives over the coming months and years to support the Appeal, not least in sharing the proceeds from ‘An Evening With Rick Stein’. The black tie dinner, held at the Royal Cornwall Showground on 17 March 2010, raised almost £20,000 for Youth Development at the Club and the HANDSTAND Appeal.

Said Dave Penberthy, Director of Rugby at Redruth Rugby, “As a Club, and as a group of players and coaches, we are delighted to support the Appeal for Marshall. If anything was needed to give the team inspiration for the forthcoming season, it is the courage of this little boy, and the strength and dedication of his family and friends. We have many people at the Club who are parents and we cannot even begin to imagine the agony and anguish that his parents and family have endured. We are determined to do everything we can to help.”

Marshall and his Mum and Dad, Stephanie and Moss, are regular visitors to the Club, attending most home games, and Marshall always receives an enthusiastic and warm welcome. Commented Stephanie, “We are treated like royalty. We are so grateful to the Club for their kindness and generosity. What they are doing for us is amazing.”

THE HANDSTAND RUGBY SHIRT

The HANDSTAND Appeal launched its own Rugby Shirt in January. Skinner’s, Cornwall’s leading independent brewery, agreed to be the lead sponsor – and to produce a limited edition beer every year for the next three years. The first of these, HANDSTAND Hooch, went on sale just before Christmas.

The HANDSTAND Rugby Shirt has been designed by Hudson Armstrong Design (who designed the HANDSTAND Appeal logo). It is being manufactured by Raging Bull and distributed by Lovell Rugby. Lovell Rugby immediately agreed to buy the first 100 shirts – and increased the order to 230 when they saw the design. The Appeal is proud to have incorporated the logo of Redruth Rugby into the design.

If you would like to make a donation to Marshall’s HANDSTAND Appeal, contributions can be made at any branch of Lloyds TSB. Account Number 01782765. Sort Code 30 97 00.

Alternatively, cheques made payable to HANDSTAND, can be sent to: HANDSTAND – The Appeal for Marshall Janson, PO Box 15, St Columb TR9 6WE. For further information please visit www.handstand.org.uk or contact Gerry Reilly at:

The Club has a long tradition of supporting charities and good causes. Wherever possible we try to support local charities.

Hence our decision last year to ‘adopt’ little Marshall Janson and his HANDSTAND Appeal. Marshall, from Carharrack, faces a lifetime of struggle following a devastating attack of meningitis, resulting in the loss of all four of his limbs.

The Club is committed to supporting other charities too, none more so than Pedley’s People. After illness and surgery for breast cancer in 2000, Brenda Pedley set up a fundraising team of family and friends to raise money for cancer treatment and research. Brenda, wife of Colts’ chairman Alan, has raised a staggering £70,000. Brenda is always on the lookout for extra volunteers and helpers so if you feel you would like to help or wish to make a donation to Pedley’s People don’t hesitate to phone Brenda on 01209 211975

The Club is also proud that our efforts have helped Precious Lives, Cancer Research, Help for Heroes and Lonely Paws. Last season’s half time bucket collections raised over £5,000 and, in addition to the charities already mentioned, other beneficiaries included Redruth Charitable Trust, Cornwall Air Ambulance and Redruth Town Band.

Any applications for fund-raising activities and publicity will be considered, and should be directed to the club’s secretary by emailing

Contents:

1. Child Protection and Safety
2. The Good Coach’s Code
3. The Good Parent’s Code
4. The Good Player’s Code
5. The Good Spectator’s Code
6. The Good Match Official’s Code

Child Protection and Safety

Redruth RFC is committed to putting the safety of the children within the mini junior section as our number one priority. Below is list of some of the steps we take to ensure that we make Redruth RFC a safe environment for children to develop their rugby skills.

• All coaches and volunteers are CRB (Criminal Records Bureau) checked
• Pitches are checked before training sessions and matches.
• All players must have footwear with aluminium studs carrying the IRB kite mark. Scrum hats, body armour, gloves etc, can also be worn at the player’s discretion provided that they carry the IRB kite mark.
• All players must wear a gum shield when either playing or training in contact rugby (age 9 upwards). It is also strongly recommended for tag rugby.
• No player can wear any form of jewellery during training sessions or matches.
• Boots and gum shields may be checked by referees before matches and if not present or not carrying the kite mark will lead to the player being excluded from the match/training session

The Good Coaches Code

Coaches of players should:

• Recognise the importance of fun and enjoyment when coaching players.
• Understand that most learning is achieved through doing.
• Appreciate the needs of the players before the needs of the sport.
• Be a positive role model – think what this implies.
• Keep winning and losing in perspective – encourage players to behave with dignity in all circumstances.
• Respect all referees and the decisions they make, even if they appear to make a mistake, (remember it could be you refereeing next week) and ensure that the players recognise that they must do the same.
• Provide positive verbal feedback in a constructive and encouraging manner to all players, both during coaching sessions and matches.
• Provide rugby experience which is matched to the players’ ages and abilities, as well as their physical and behavioural development.
• Ensure all players are coached in a safe environment, with adequate first aid readily to hand.
• Avoid the overplaying of the best players by using a squad system which gives everybody a satisfactory amount of playing time.
• Never allow a player to train or play when injured.
• Ensure good supervision of players, both on and off the field.
• Recognise that players should never be exposed to extremes of heat, cold or unacceptable risk of injury.
• Develop an awareness of nutrition as part of an overall education in lifestyle management.
• Recognise that it is illegal for players under 18 to drink alcohol and those under 16 to smoke., Coaches should actively discourage both.
• Ensure that their knowledge and coaching strategies are up to date and in line with RFU philosophy.
• Be aware of, and abide by, the RFU recommended procedures for taking young people on residential tours at home and abroad.
• Be aware of and abide by the policies and procedures outlined in the Policy and Procedures for the Welfare of Young People in Rugby Union.
• Coach to the rules laid down in the Rugby Continuum and keep themselves updated on rule changes.

The Good Parent’s Code

Parents should:

• Be familiar with the coaching and training programme in order that they can ensure their child is fully involved and the coaches are aware of their availability.
• Be familiar with the teaching and coaching methods used by observing the coaching and training sessions in which their child participates.
• Be aware that the Club has a duty of care to ensure the safety of players and therefore, where appropriate, assist coaches with the supervision of the players, particularly where numbers are large and there is a need to transport players to away games.
• Be involved with Club activities and share their expertise.
• Share concerns, if they have them, with Club officials.
• Be familiar with the Good Coaches’ Code contained in the Rugby Continuum. In particular be aware that:
  1. coaches should recognise the importance of fun and enjoyment when coaching players; and
  2. coaches should keep winning and losing in perspective, encouraging players to behave with dignity in all circumstances.
• Support coaches in instilling these virtues.
• Remember that young people play rugby for their own enjoyment not that of their parents.
• Encourage young people to play – do not force them.
• Focus on the players’ efforts, rather than winning or losing.
• Be realistic about the players’ abilities; do not push them towards a level that they are not capable of achieving.
• Provide positive verbal feedback both in training and during the game.
• Remember that persistent, negative messages will adversely affect the players’ and referee’s performance and attitude.
• Always support the Club in their efforts to eradicate loud, coarse and abusive behaviour from the game.
• Remember young people learn much by example.
• Always show appreciation of good play by all players both from their own Club and the opposition.
• Respect decisions made by the match officials, even if they appear to make a mistake, and encourage the players to do likewise.

The Good Player’s Code

Players should be encouraged to:

• Recognise and appreciate the efforts made by coaches, parents, match officials and administrators in providing the opportunity to play the game and enjoy the rugby environment.
• Understand the values of loyalty and commitment to adults and team mates.
• Recognise that every player has a right to expect their involvement in rugby to be safe and free from all types of abuse.
• Understand that if an individual or group of players feel they are not being treated in a manner that is acceptable, then they should tell an adult either at the Club or outside of the game.
• Play because they want to do so, not to please coaches or parents.
• Remember that skill development, fun and enjoyment are the most important parts of the game.
• Be attentive at all training and coaching sessions.
• Work equally hard for themselves and their team – both will then benefit.
• Recognise good play by all players on their team and by their opponents.
• Be a sportsman – win with dignity, lose with grace.
• Play to the IRB Laws of the Game and accept, without question, all referees’ decisions even if they appear to make a mistake.
• Control their emotions. Verbal or physical abuse of team mates, opponents, coaches, match officials or spectators is not acceptable.
• Treat all players, as they would like to be treated themselves. Do not interfere with, bully or take advantage of any player.

The Good Spectator’s Code

Spectators should:

• Act as positive role models to all players.
• Be familiar with, and abide by, the RFU Child Protection Guidance in relation to verbal and emotional abuse.
• Respect guidance from the Club or School with regard to spectator behaviour.
• Remember children play sport primarily for their own enjoyment, not for that of the spectators.
• Acknowledge good individual and team performance from all players irrespective of the team in which they play.
• Respect match officials’ decisions, even if they appear to make a mistake – remember, they are volunteers providing an opportunity for players to play rugby.
• Never verbally abuse players, coaches, match officials or fellow spectators: such behaviour can create a negative environment for players and their behaviour will often reflect this.
• Acknowledge effort and good performance rather than ‘to win at all costs’.
• Verbally encourage all players in a positive manner, shouting ‘for’, not ‘at’, the players.
• Encourage all players irrespective of their ability – never ridicule any individual player, regardless of the team in which they play.

The Good Match Officials Code

Match Officials should:

• Recognise the importance of fun and enjoyment when officiating players.
• Provide positive verbal feedback in a constructive and encouraging manner during games.
• Emphasise the spirit of the game.
• Appreciate the needs of the players before the needs of the sport.
• Understand the physical and behavioural development of players.
• Be a positive role model. Set an example, and as such, comments should be positive and supportive.
• Look to self-improvement e.g. participation in training courses.
• Recognise that the safety of players is paramount.
• Explain decisions – all players are still learning and parents will understand the game better.
• Always penalise foul play.
• Play advantage whenever possible in order to let the game flow.
• Show empathy for the age and ability of players.
• Be consistent and objective.
• Be familiar with the Good Spectators Code and ensure that verbal abuse from players, coaches or spectators is not tolerated and is dealt with by club officials immediately.
• Be aware of, and abide by, the RFU Child Protection Guidance policies and procedures.
• Officiate to the rules laid down in the Rugby Continuum and keep themselves updated on rule changes.
• Check that the home Club or School has provided a qualified first aider, ambulance access has not been obstructed and that appropriate equipment is available along with someone trained in its use before starting play.
• Before training sessions and matches check that studs and other clothing are in accordance with the IRB Laws of the Game.

The club is very aware of its responsibilities towards the younger people within the club, especially among the members of the junior teams and colts. It has a nil tolerance towards drugs. As far as alcohol is concerned, rugby is a social sport, and having a pint after a game with your friends and opponents is part of the social aspect of the game. Where members are of a legal age, drinking in moderation is acceptable, but alcohol abuse is never condoned.

In order to obtain the best possible guidance for our young players, the club is working with the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Drug and Alcohol Action Team who will commission two specialist drug and alcohol trainers to develop an information and education programme appropriate for use with young people in sports settings. The programme will be appropriate to age and will cover the use of tobacco, alcohol and illegal drugs. It is proposed to pilot the programme with Redruth Rugby club during the coming season, with the intention of rolling out the programme in the future to sports clubs across the county.

The club stands for equal opportunities for all its members, employees and supporters and is totally averse to any form of discrimination either on gender, age, religion or race.

In what many perceive to be a male oriented sport, women make a massive contribution to the success of the club, managing the club’s catering facilities as well as filling important strategic positions in the supporters club and on the Sponsorship and Fund Raising teams. Girls are always welcome in the mini and junior sections and there will be girls teams in the Rugby Academy run in partnership with Redruth School.

People suffering from disability are particularly welcome at the club. There are several reserved parking spaces at the club adjacent to the clubhouse and enclosure in front of the grandstand, and we have wheelchair access to the main bar and disabled toilet facilities.

The club has a nil tolerance policy as far as racial discrimination or abuse is concerned and any member or supporter not adhering to this policy will be banned from the club sine die.

Please be aware of and abide by the following areas of club policy:

• Accessibility and Equality
• Drugs and Alcohol Abuse
• Mini-Junior Policies

Redruth Rugby’s Corporate Partners are an integral part of the club’s fabric, and benefit both from extended exposure and from additional affection from the hundreds of fans and business owners who support the club.

Companies which exceed £2,750 of expenditure on business partnership deals with Redruth RFC are automatically upgraded to Corporate Partner status. In addition to the great benefits bestowed by the purchased sponsorship options, your Corporate status will also confer:

• Priority invitation to Sponsors Networking Lunch with free buffet on the first home league match of the season
• Inclusion on the Corporate Partners list on the front or back page of our quality Matchday Programme
• Name of your Company on the Corporate Partners Roll Of Honour Poster in the Clubhouse
• Framed photo of the first team for you to display on your premises
• Additional customized promotional opportunities available for your Matchday Partnership fixture
• Complimentary premium listing on the Cornish Business Directory
• Direct access to the Club’s Corporate Coordinator
• Invitation to end of season party with players in the Clubhouse
• Invitation to special Corporate Events
• Opportunity to purchase 2 International Tickets per season through the Club
• Option of additional season tickets (depending on sponsorship packages)

Redruth Rugby is pround to present it’s business partners and sponsors: the cream of local Cornish businesses. Whether you’re looking for a new house, a new car, legal advice or just a bite to eat, there’s likely to be a business right here for you.

Want to have your business featured here? You should click here for more information, and contact our sponsorship team today!