Falmouth Rugby Club

Falmouth Rugby Club is preparing for the new season with fresh leadership, a growing women’s section and a renewed determination to strengthen its place at the heart of the local community.

New chair Julia Rowe took over in June and admits her first few months have involved a steep learning curve, with a significant change of officials and volunteers behind the scenes.

“We’ve had a huge turnover in roles within the club,” she said. “A lot of people have stepped down and a lot have taken up those roles. There has been a huge amount of work behind the scenes to get us where we wanted to be for the start of the season.”

Rowe, whose two sons have played at Falmouth, initially rejected the suggestion that she should become chair because of what she describes as her limited knowledge of the game.

However, those who approached her were more interested in her experience of running businesses and her willingness to find new ways of tackling the challenges faced by grassroots sport.

“We don’t look at problems; we try to find solutions,” she said. “The main priority is to get as much rugby played by as many people as possible, from adults down to the academy.

“We want to become even more of a community place and embrace more families. We want to be a big family club.”

That ambition is already reflected in the development of the women’s section, which has made impressive progress since being established three years ago.

Women’s captain Lydia Hawkins said the team began in August 2022 with only four players but had grown to around 25 to 30 by last season.

“There were several months when there were just four of us turning up to training, so you had to really dig in,” she said. “But we’ve seen a massive increase and a really upward trend.”

The section is currently recruiting following the departure of several players who graduated or moved away from the area, but Hawkins believes the profile of women’s rugby and the success of major international tournaments are encouraging more people to try the sport.

Hawkins also serves as the club’s grounds person and has faced a particularly difficult summer following the prolonged spell of hot, dry weather.

“The summer has been tough on the pitch,” she said. “We’ve got three senior teams and a whole host of minis and juniors who all play and train on this one pitch, so it’s important that we look after it.

“We put in the work over the winter, and I spend a lot of time chasing people off different parts of the pitch. The teams might get frustrated with me, but it does pay off.”

Director of rugby Tom Spiller said protecting the players had to take priority.

“It is a physical game and we need to make sure the safety of our players is paramount,” he said.

Spiller has been associated with Falmouth for more than three decades, having first played mini rugby at the age of eight. His aim is to create a clear pathway from the club’s academy into its senior sides — and, where possible, help talented players progress further.

“Our strategy is to make this a community club that players want to come and play their rugby at and to be at the heart of the town,” he said.

“We want to build our academy and provide a pathway into senior rugby and beyond if players want it. We also have Josh King from the Cornish Pirates coaching the senior team, providing a great source of knowledge from the professional game.”

Away from the playing side, Rowe acknowledges that the club’s ambitions depend heavily upon the continued support of local businesses and volunteers.

“Rugby doesn’t pay for itself anymore,” she said. “We couldn’t do a lot of this without our sponsors, and we really value them. Alternative income streams are essential, and sponsorship is a massive one for grassroots rugby.”

The club is also keen to hear from potential volunteers, whether they can help with catering, cleaning, maintenance or simply give a few hours when circumstances allow.

“Whatever your skill set is, we will embrace you,” Rowe added. “There is nothing too big or too small, and you don’t have to come every day or every week. People can give whatever their lives allow.”

Hawkins believes becoming involved can also create opportunities to gain experience in areas such as safeguarding, first aid, injury treatment and grounds maintenance.

For senior player Cam Bullock, however, the enduring appeal of the club remains much simpler.

“They’re not just your teammates; they’re your mates and your best friends,” he said. “You start together in the minis and juniors and build a bond. It becomes like a little brotherhood. It’s playing rugby with your mates, and it’s fun.”

Rowe believes preserving that sense of friendship and belonging may ultimately provide the club’s greatest measure of success.

“We’re not looking at massive, great things,” she said. “We’re looking at keeping rugby open and continuing grassroots rugby from five-year-olds right through to seniors.

“It’s not always about winning. It’s about participation, your teammates and all those friendships you build for life.”