Cornish Pirates

1st August 2008

As has been the case in recent years, the Pirates have continued to be busy in a variety of ways in the close season. Players, coaches and staff members have supported a wide range of events, with staff associated with the Cornish Pirates Learning Zone also playing their part.

Having a connection with the CPR (Camborne-Pool-Redruth) Regeneration Scheme, John Watson from the CPLZ, along with Laura and Cornish Pirates Community Coach Mike Crump, have undertaken a very useful project with pupils from Pool School which involved a visit to Camborne train station, their aim to develop a map to help rugby supporters arriving at the town who need to then find their way to the Recreation Ground.

Giving support elsewhere both John and Mike were also involved at Weeth CP School where they are pictured with pupil Jessica. The School, along with many others in the area have taken part in the Warburton's healthy eating programme, which encourages the children to undertake physical activities and to also have an increased and applied healthy eating awareness.

At another recent event Mike was present at Redruth School where he and Cornish Pirates player Peter Cook, who is the CPLZ's Reading Champion, coached pupils and also involved them in a Question & Answer Session.

Back at the Mennaye Field, Penzance, near the end of their school term pupils from Penair School, Truro, participated in rugby-related events during their summer activites week. The support from the Pirates to help train the youngsters was again greatly appreciated, with scrum-half Ed Fairhurst giving his time to provide specialist coaching.

At Crane Park, Camborne, Cornish Pirates' mascot Captain Benbow was a surprise guest in support of a mid-July fundraising event for the club's Mini-Junior Section, it once again giving people the opportunity to see the most photographed man in Cornwall!.

Pirates - Coach The Teachers Night

Last Thursday at Camborne CPR, the Cornish Pirates held a 'Coach the Teachers Night' for all of the Schools that took part in last season's EDF Energy National Schools Programme.

The evening included coaching from the Cornish Pirates Community Coach Mike Crump, meeting other teachers who had taken part in the Programme, and learning of new drills for those present to take back to their schools.

Refreshments were provided, and teachers were also given a pack which included a blank Cornish Pirates session and evaluation plan, this to take their knowledge of tag rugby to the next level and to help evaluate their coaching sessions.

Everyone present had a good time and the feedback was very positive, those present saying that had found it really worthwhile attending the evening.