Cornish Rugby

CORNISH RUGBY - THE WAY FORWARD David ‘Benji’ Thomas - Coach Penryn RFC & Managager CRFU’s Schools of Rugby Winner Lifetime Achievement Award for Coaching Excellence 2012 - RFU In 2007 the CRFU (Cornwall Rugby Football Union) handed me a blank sheet of paper with the remit of developing young rugby players in the County. Having been in teaching for many years and being involved at club and County level, this was a great opportunity. The initial thrust was aimed at 13, 14 and 15 year olds. Four centres were established and these basically covered the County, being based at Launceston RFC, New- quay Tretherras all-weather pitch, Penryn RFC and Pool School. Players were given the opportunity to sign for a particular centre and these ran from September to March. There was a small charge to cover administra- tive costs and each centre was headed up by a Level 3 Coach with volunteer coaches assisting. There was an excellent response to the programme and from feedback it was apparent that there was a huge reservoir of talent County wide. To complement the Monday sessions half term holidays were used for com- plete days of rugby in the same age groups. Truro College allowed us to be based on their site and to use their superb facilities. In a 10am to 4pm day so much can be covered, as opposed to the one and a half hour sessions on a Monday. In 2008 the RFU launched an initiative called Schools of Rugby (SOR) and these were attached to premier- ship rugby clubs. Cornwall and Devon did not have any clubs at that level (at that time) and it was awarded to Exeter RFC. The SOR were the very best players in the 13-16 age groups who had the potential to develop into top class players. This group were selected by the Coaches from the Monday night satellites as well as the days of rugby. At the age of 15 and 16 years the very elite from these joined the Exeter Elite Player development Group and many have progressed from there into the Exeter Academy. From these developments in 2007/8 we have really moved on, with an additional satellite centre at Penwith College covering the West Cornwall area. Truro College has become the centre for both under 15 and 16 De- velopment evenings and the take-up has been excellent. Cornwall Schools run A and B XV (fifteens) fixtures in these two age groups and there is a real burning desire to put on the black and gold shirt of the County. What better in the future than they represent their County at the Stadium for Cornwall…. Our days of rugby now commence in August and players in Year 6 of Junior Schools and under 12 players, first years in Secondary Schools, are catered for. This early start focusses the players on the opportunities that are available through the age groups. An important part of the overall programme is the Diet, Nutrition and Fitness lectures. Eating sensibly is an important aspect in building energy and the fitness concentrates on core strength. All our activities are on the CRFU website under player development. Training at Truro College and seeing the Cornish stadium nearby would be a massive incentive to represent Cornwall. David ‘Benji’ Thomas - biography The RFU Coaching Awards provides an opportunity to recognise coaching achievements and value the role that coaching makes to the sport of rugby union. David ‘Benji’ Thomas from Cornwall deservedly scooped the honour of receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award for Coaching Excellence. ‘Benji’ has spent 40 plus years in teaching and in turn coaching rugby most days in the winter terms. He has also coached players of all ages and levels for the likes of Falmouth, St Ives, Cornwall Colts, Cornwall, includ- ing coaching Cornwall to three Twickenham County finals, and the South and South West Division. He has also been responsible for training coaches and has held roles such as Chairman of the Cornwall RFU Coaching Association (CRFU), RFU Coaching Tutor, Cornwall Coaching Co-ordinator covering all junior rugby in the county as well as identifying and organising all of the Schools of Rugby in Cornwall. ‘Benji’ cur- rently coaches Penryn RFC and is also the Manager of the CRFU’s Schools of Rugby. David Martin, CRFU’s President, said: “Benji was an outstanding player, but was always destined to be an even better coach. He has devoted 50 years of his life to coaching and the well-being of those interested in Rugby Union; his enthusiasm is beyond bounds and is infectious! Without his input rugby in Cornwall would begin to wither and die! What greater legacy could one man leave?” Source: RFU.com 2012.

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