Latest news with #Penryn-based
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Cornwall RLFC demise 'heartbreaking' says head coach
Cornwall RLFC head coach Mike Abbott says his players were keen to fulfil their fixtures before the League One side folded. Cornwall went out of business on Wednesday after new owner Kenny Stone was unable to bring in new investment to the Penryn-based club. But Abbott, who has been part of the coaching team since the club was founded in late 2021 and head coach since the 2023 season, says his players would have fulfilled Sunday's fixture at North Wales Crusaders. "The players were still very much for the club," he told BBC Sport. "They were willing to travel to Wales at the weekend and play and then sort of go about it then on a week to week basis to keep the club going and see if backers could come in, because phone calls were happening in the background. "They were fully engaged on North Wales away this weekend and then we'll see from there." Cornwall RLFC fold because of finance issues Cornwall RLFC taken over by new owners Abbott, like most of the team, had a full-time job as well as his rugby league commitments. He only found out about Cornwall's demise when a colleague at the school where he is a deputy headteacher told him about the news after reading it online. "I'm just concerned about the boys," added an emotional Abbott, who was keen to pay tribute to Sam Wickets, Ben Gregor, Sam Gilder and John Beach who had worked behind the scenes to keep the club going. "Some of them have moved from Australia to play for the county and the commitment and effort they've put in, it's just gutting that that's not been matched by certain people at the club. "The amount of work that goes on in the background week to week to get a rugby club to function and to get into the next game and get them ready after that game to the next one it's non-stop. "They've all got full-time jobs as well, it's heartbreaking for them." Abbott hopes the sport can be resurrected in some way in the county. Despite being more known as a rugby union hotbed, the rugby league side had been well-received both locally and among Abbott's contemporaries in the 13-man code. "There's a home for rugby league in Cornwall, and I know it comes with challenges for travelling and everything else like that, but it's untapped," he said. "It just needs someone to come in and do it the right way. "Myself and John Beach have been screaming for a foundation to be set up, let's get it playing in schools, let's do all these really solid foundations that give you a conveyor belt of players - really focus the money underneath it to make it secure. "There's a place for rugby league in Cornwall, it's untouched, no one's been into it and done it properly to try and make it work. "I hope it carries on, I hope there's someone out there who thinks we can go about this the right way, whether that's with me or someone else I'm not bothered, just come and do it properly and make it work." Cornwall RLFC
Yahoo
09-02-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Rainbow Run returns to Cornwall for 11th year
A popular charity fun run is set to return this summer. Taking place at RAF St Mawgan, Newquay, the Rainbow Run Cornwall on June 21 is in aid of Children's Hospice South West (CHSW). The event, now in its 11th year, has collaborated with Penryn-based business Kernow Coatings, which is the new main sponsor. Participants aged five and over can join the 5km run, walking or running through eight different paint stations. Last year, the event saw more than 1,500 participants raise a record-breaking £114,000 for CHSW's Little Harbour children's hospice in St Austell. CHSW event fundraiser Kiley Pearce said: "It is incredible that Rainbow Run is still attracting so many participants of all ages after 11 years. "Alongside families making memories with their children, we see fitness groups and clubs taking part together, businesses using the day as a team-builder, and friends using it as an opportunity for a fun day out. "What is so special is that the event continues to grow in terms of the sponsorship raised, which is down to the dedication and commitment of those taking part, who understand that by participating, they're supporting their local children's hospice. "We thank RAF St Mawgan for allowing us to return each year to use the venue as the home of Rainbow Run." Tickets are now on sale, with a 30 per cent early-bird discount for a limited time. Participants are encouraged to raise £25 in sponsorship individually, or £70 as a family, and every finisher will receive a Rainbow Run medal. Super-duper early-bird tickets are £14 for adults and £7 for children and are available until April 2. Little Harbour supports more than 130 families from across Cornwall and Plymouth through day visits, resilience stays at the hospice, home visits, and virtual support. It costs around £3 million a year to run Little Harbour, which relies almost entirely on voluntary donations.
