Who are we?
Kernow Piskies RFC are Cornwall's first inclusive rugby club. Formed in June 2024 with the aim of introducing individuals to the sport who may otherwise not have the opportunity or confidence to try out rugby.
Check out our website for more infomation About Us.
We are proud to welcome players of all levels of skill and sexual orientation.
Rugby is a sport for everyone and we are committed to our slogan that Rugby Is For Onen Hag Oll - 'One And All'
How are we different to any other rugby club in Cornwall?
Although most rugby clubs are welcoming of all people and would likely consider themselves "inclusive" already, we are different than the rest. The Kernow Piskies recognised that Cornwall lacks a rugby club that exists for the sole purpose of enhancing its sport offering for LGBTQ+ people and Allies. Engaging in regular campaigns that support and enhances our community.
Our immediate priority is to create a Mixed Touch Rugby team. We hope creating a team like this will allow people who might be excluded from the RFUs gender participation policy (which came into place in 2022) to take part in the sport.
We hope to register with the IGF to compete against other Inclusive LGBTQ+ Mixed Touch Rugby teams in the IGF SW League and take part in national tournments too, such as the annual Touch My Brum event. We hope to host a Touch Competition in the future too. We have big dreams and info about this is on our website.
In the future, we also plan to create a Gay Mens Rugby Union team to compete in the IGF South League.
Why are we crowdfunding?
We are a brand new club who are just getting started on this exciting journey, making history and creating Cornwall's first LGBTQ+ inclusive rugby club.
Although we hope to acquire club sponsors in the future to develop what we offer, it is expensive to create the relevant equipment and promote ourselves online and in person.
Though our team is in no way exclusive to LGBTQ+ people, LGBT people often face unique challenges, including isolation, discrimination, and a lack of safe spaces to express themselves authentically or participate in sport.
Joining a team like ours can provide a transformative experience, offering a supportive environment where people can connect with others who share similar experiences. In these teams, people can build confidence, improve their physical and mental health, and develop valuable skills like teamwork and resilience.
Beyond the game itself, they gain a sense of belonging and the opportunity to forge lifelong friendships, helping to combat feelings of exclusion and fostering pride in their identity.
Sports teams like the Kernow Piskies are more than just sports groups—they’re a vital source of empowerment and joy, enabling people who perhaps thought sport 'wasn't for them' to see that it is.
We plan to use donations to cover costs for marketing materials and to cover the fees for pitch hire for our training sessions and a coach to make sure that our sessions are ran safely.
How we’ll spend the money raised
The Kernow Piskies have already entered discussions with kit vendors to enable us to provide a new set of kits for the team to cover the next two years minimum. Commercial sponsors will be able to help fund this, have their logos appear on the kit and discuss further opportunities for marketing and social opportunities.
As we are a new club, we will need to buy new training bib sets, rugby balls, rugby bag - to carry the balls, cones etc.
A key part of creating our team to include a full union team will be training people in a safe environment. To that end, we will use funds to provide tackle pads, hit shields, accessibility-equipment and other materials to ensure that - ahead of the start of the next union season in late-2025 - we have a team that is properly, safely trained.
Any additional funds beyond the above projects will be used to secure the long-term position of the club through pitch hire costs, tournament participation costs and the continued provision of an access fund and discounted dues for members who are students, unwaged or otherwise experiencing financial hardship.
We would hope to subsidise the costs of training wear for new players, who might not have any sportswear - given as we are hoping to reach new audiences of the game.
Examples of current costs incurred:
Online Promotion Costs
Annual Website costs (kernowpiskies.com) - £300 Domain name and monthly website fees (email etc)
Social media Linktree annual fee - £50. Giving potential prospects infomation in one location on our social media accounts.
Physical Promotional Costs
These marketing assets will be used at local Pride events over the summer and for promoting the club during pop-up "Turn up and TRY" sessions. E.g. Teardrop flags, Custom Pride Flags.
Full Team Kit Costs
20 x Playing Tops, Playing Shorts, Playing Socks = £1152. To be owned by the club, so players do not have to buy their own Playing kit to wear at matches.
20 x Player Training Kit for players, including polo shirts, training tee, tracksuit bottoms and shorts = £1716
Other anticipated costs include:
A Touch Rugby Coach to deliver beginner training sessions = £25ph (6 x 1.5hr sessions) = £225.
Team Registration fees with National Governing Bodies and Tournaments = £500.
Other Equipment = £500
TOTAL = £4443.
Community impact
Cornwall has an incredibly rich history and association with rugby, which is why we felt we needed to put the counties stamp into the world of Inclusive Rugby.
We are committed to bringing one of the world’s most popular games to new players who may not otherwise have considered playing.
Kernow Piskies wants to pioneer the path for inclusive rugby and champion LGBTQ+ participation in sport within Cornwall. Our grassroots club aims to be more than a team, we want to be a diverse family pushing the boundaries of inclusivity on and off the pitch.
We take pride in the diverse backgrounds of our players, welcoming gay, straight, queer, and players of all identities. As an inclusive community sports club, our mission is to create a safe and welcoming space where players can be themselves, make friends, and enjoy rugby. We understand that some may not feel comfortable expressing their true selves in other local or university-based teams, and that’s where we come in offering a space that is both fun and competitive.
With your help, we can:
- Deliver Weekly Grassroots Development Sessions: These sessions are designed to be inclusive, supportive, and empowering, allowing each individual to develop their physical skills, social connections, and self-confidence.
- Build a Sense of Belonging: Through sports, participants can connect with others facing similar challenges, reducing the isolation that many in the LGBTQ+ community experience.
- Boost Wellbeing: Regular physical activity is proven to enhance mental and emotional wellbeing. Our goal is to help every participant feel healthier, happier, and more resilient.