Cornwall Rugby Football Union

                                  Cornwall Successes at South West Divisional Trial

Trials for girls and ladies to progress to the SW Divisional squads took place on the 22^nd and 29^th January at Stothert & Pitt RFC, Bath. As a result, Cornwall has a spectacular number of people selected for the 2012 Divisional season. Congratulation to all of these girls and ladies – and thanks to the Club and County coaches who have had a hand in their development.

Playing Women & Girls County rugby in Cornwall and how to get there

Background:

Girls’ rugby in Cornwall was resurrected some 6 years ago with the development of The Liskeard Leopards U14s and U17s teams. Shortly after that Newquay Queen Bees started two teams; in the last 4 years the Leopards have formed their own all girls mobile rugby club taking in girls from Saltash, Liskeard, Callington, Looe, Bodmin and Fowey.  Ladies teams had existed for some time at Liskeard and Truro, but were very difficult to keep alive. 2011 is the year in which there are now 5 junior teams – at U13s,  U15s and U18s the Liskeard Leopards Womens RFC and Newquay Queen Bees (Newquay Hornets RFC) and at U15s and U18s Launceston RFC (who started up again last year).  Two new Clubs have started up girls’ rugby this season – Helston RFC with U15s and U18s and Redruth RFC at U13s and U15s. There are also now two Senior Ladies teams in the Duchy at Penryn RFC and St Austell RFC.

The first Junior County matches started back in 2004 and this year we are pleased to be able to field a Senior Ladies’ squad for the third year in a row. We are very pleased to have received the support of the Cornwall RFU over all these years. Girls are proud to wear the black and gold and this year hope to win back the Tamar Cup into the Duchy.

This year has also seen National success for a number of Cornish players:

England U20s Women:

	Lucy Demaine (Leopards/Cornwall/Devon/Exeter University/Bristol/SW Division)
	Charlie Notman (Newquay Queen Bees/Penryn/Cornwall/SW Division)

England U18s Talent Development Group (TDG):

	Lauren Chenoweth (Queen Bees/Cornwall/SW Division)
	Alice Stean (Queen Bees/Cornwall/SW Division)
	Alex Smith (Launceston/Cornwall/SW Division)

England U15s TDG:

	Emily Kneale (Leopards/Cornwall/SW Division)
	Robyn Green (Queen Bees/Cornwall/SW Division)

The first clash this year is in the Tamar Cup against Devon. The matches are to be held at North Tawton RFC on Sunday 16^th October. Ladies and U15s matches will kick off at 1300 whilst the U18s will start at 1430.

Girls and Ladies will be nominated from the County Programme for Divisional Trials which will take place in January 2012.

Ann Demaine

Chair, Women & Girls Group, Cornwall Rugby Football Union Ltd.

County Match Schedule: