There are bilingual posters in the match day programmes and members receive a welcome pack that includes a dual language membership card, badge and other goodies.

There is even a special code word in Cornish that Bagas Benbow members can use when they meet any of the Pirates players.

Luke Collins takes over from last season's captain, Adryan Winnan, as leader of Bagas Benbow, and is no stranger to the Cornish language:

“In 2001 I came across a CD Rom that helps you learn the basics of Cornish. Since then I have always tried to know at least how to say hello in Cornish!  It is a great honour for me to take over as the leader of Bagas Benbow.”

Luke's Cornish language tutor is Rod Lyon, a devoted Pirates' supporter and ex Grand Bard of the Cornish Gorsedh who sits on the Cornish Language Partnership as the Gorsedh's representative.

He sees Bagas Benbow as helping to move Cornish away from the academic world to more every day usage:

"I'm always delighted to teach Cornish to anyone like Luke.

The majority of people who have learnt the language with me over the years have been somewhat academic, but to work with ordinary people - in particular someone who plays my favourite sport - is even better. To my mind, if we want to see our language succeed we must try to get ordinary people to learn it and to speak it in their every day lives."

If you would like to join Bagas Benbow, pick up an application form in a Pirates matchday programme or send an e-mail to rudi.grenfell@cornish-pirates.com stating your name, date of birth, address and telephone number.

Membership is free to supporters of the Pirates who are 16 or under.

If you would like to find out more about Cornish visit www.magakernow.org.uk