Truro where teamwork is securing the future
How one Cornish club is rebuilding.
Earlier this year Truro Rugby Football Club was hit by serious vandalism to their changing rooms. With refurbishment work in progress, teenagers broke in, smashed up basins, threw paint over the new floor and even damaged the ceiling.
This featured on Radio Cornwall, alongside details of the club’s crowdfunding, and the setback failed to destroy the positivity surrounding the club upgrade which included finishing a stand to be dedicated to the chairman, Carl Price, who died before seeing the project completed.
The stand will be a lasting legacy in his honour, says the new chairman Andrew Matthews, who having played at the club since the age of 15 and for Devon & Cornwall Police, has coached his son and is now coaching his grandchildren at Truro.
One of the oldest rugby union clubs in Cornwall, having been founded in 1885, Truro is a family club which offers a huge welcome to all and will soon be better equipped to grow and continue to serve its community. A big upgrade to changing facilities specifically for female participation is happening thanks to an RFU grant in the first round of RWC 25 funding.
The club runs women's and girls’ rugby, two senior men’s teams, touch rugby and has a strong and vibrant youth section. All will benefit from the old, tired facilities being upgraded. They will also upgrade their kitchen and social area and a longer-term aim is to create a new multi-purpose meeting and entertainment space, which will substantially improve the match day experience and generate increased revenue throughout the year. Truro is also fortunate to have support from local companies, including Rhos Construction .
Based in the UK’s southernmost city and near to stunning beaches, the rugby club operates at the heart of the community.
Head coach, Lewis Vinnicombe, says there’s plenty to look forward to in the new season and integrating new and existing players will bring fresh energy, with the younger players coming up through the age grades pushing the club in the right direction.
A newly-appointed coaching co-ordinator, Richard Tucker led a pre-season development session for 34 coaches from the junior section, girls and colts squads when they were thanked for the vital role they play in shaping young players’ future and developing the club. The session helped to create a community of coaches who can support each other and provide the best experience for players.
There was plenty to enjoy over the summer too, with the club holding a rugby skills challenge at Archbishop Benson School's summer fete, a touch rugby tournament with bar, BBQ and camping, and an open day at the start of September before which volunteers turned out for a general tidy up.
