welcome to the home of kernow piskies rfc

Though our team is in no way exclusive to LGBTQ+ people, LGBTQ+ 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.

The Piskies were created based on our individual experiences within the realm of rugby and the sense of isolation often encountered by transgender and gender non-conforming (trans/GNC) players amidst predominantly cisgender counterparts. 

 As an LGBTQ+ rugby team, our ethos and values of inclusion, safety, well-being, community, and social responsibility are central to our mission of empowerment. 

 The Kernow Piskies are all about into the following:

Inclusion – inclusion means creating a space where trans and gender non-conforming individuals and others feel welcome and valued. By embracing diversity and creating a team environment that celebrates differences, you ensure that everyone has the opportunity to participate in rugby without fear of discrimination or exclusion.

Safety – Safety is paramount, both on and off the field. The team prioritises creating an environment where members feel emotionally safe, supported, and respected, free from harassment or prejudice.

Well-being -The well-being of members is a top priority. Beyond physical health, the Kernow Piskies recognise the importance of mental and emotional well-being and prioritise creating a space where the Piskies feel comfortable being themselves.

Community – The club serves as more than just a sports team; it’s a community where members come together to form bonds, share experiences, and support one another.

Social Responsibility – As advocates for LGBTQ+ rights and equality, the club recognises its role in promoting social change and challenging systemic barriers. Through activism, education, and engagement with the broader community, they strive to raise awareness about LGBT+ issues, combat discrimination, and advocate for greater inclusivity and acceptance in sports and society as a whole. 

Inclusive rugby teams exist to provide a safe and inclusive space for individuals to play rugby, where they can feel comfortable and accepted without facing homophobia/transphobia, which can be prevalent in traditional rugby environments.

Our teams aim to combat stigma and promote inclusivity within the sport by creating a welcoming community for all players regardless of sexual orientation. 

Key points about "gay rugby teams":

• Combating homophobia/transphobia:
  Rugby culture can sometimes be associated with traditional masculinity, which can make LGBTQ+ players feel unwelcome, so inclusive rugby teams offer a space free from this pressure. 

• Social support:
  Beyond just playing the game, these teams provide a social network for LGBTQ+ individuals who may not have a large community of openly gay athletes in their area. 

• International organization:
  "International Gay Rugby" (IGR) exists to connect and support various gay rugby clubs worldwide, facilitating competitions and promoting inclusivity. We hope to join this network.
• Our affiliation with International Gay Rugby (IGR) would underline our commitment to these values, connecting us with a network of clubs worldwide who share our vision of breaking down barriers in sport and promoting equality.

• Positive impact:
  By creating a welcoming environment, gay rugby teams can encourage more LGBTQ+ individuals to participate in the sport and challenge negative stereotypes. 

Both codes of rugby (Rugby Union and Touch Rugby) fall under different National Governing Body Policies and Laws (Rules).  Each have different criteria for participation which could affect transgender and gender non-conforming (GNC) people - so please check their policies below.  

This is why we are focussing on developing a Mixed Touch Rugby Team in the first instance - so we can build the amount of participants we  have getting involved.

Touch Rugby - England Touch Association (ETA)- 

Transgender, Non-Binary and  Gender Diverse Policy

Rugby Union - IGR - under World Rugby.

Rugby Guide to Trans Inclusion

Below are some basic comparisons between the 2 sports, please check out the ETA or RFU website for the full proper details of the rules.  Our coaches will also explain these things during training sessions.

Touch Rugby

This is a limited-contact version of rugby, where the game is played with minimal force.  The main difference being in how you would "Tackle" the opposition.  Players do not tackle each other to the ground but instead touch their opponents with their hands on any part of the body, clothing or ball.  

Touch rugby does not require scrums, lineouts or mauls. 

Played in two 20minute halves with a 5 minute half tine, with 6 players on each team.  Substitutes can roll-on/roll-off and have unlimited interchanges during the match.

Touch rugby is often played as a training activity for Rugby Union and Rugby League.  It can also be played as a social sport or as a safer alternative to rugby in schools and junior clubs.

Rugby Union

Rugby Union is played with physical contact, where defenders physically tackle the attacking  ball carrier to the ground.  Scrums, Mauls and Line-outs are also held in Rugby Union which are also very physical and scrums are contested (players push against each other to gain advantage).

Played in two 40minutes halves with a 10 minute rest period in between.  Each team has 15 players and can make a maximum of 8 substitutions.  

The club welcomes adults of all gender-identities, sexualities, ages, background and rugby or sporting experience (or lack of) to become a member of the Piskies. 

Please ensure you complete an Contact form before you turn up to your first training session.

At your first session, we’ll introduce you to the coaches and other players and you’ll make friends very quickly.  

You’re encouraged to ask questions no matter how stupid they may feel to ask.

You can also ask our volunteers questions online via FB/Instagram Messenger or email.

We’re always looking for support on the sidelines too and invite people to join us as supporters if they cannot play.

Please immediately check your email spam for an automated response from the club once you have completed your application form (below).  Please also look for a second email immediately following and click to subscribe to our emails and newsletters. This is important so that our players and coaches can reach you easily before your first training session to confirm the date, time and location of your welcome.

For your first session, if you aren’t experienced and have no existing rugby kit, please wear layers of casual sports clothing to your first session.  

To start with you will need suitable boots for training and clothes to run around in that you won’t mind getting dirty (especially in the wet winter months).

We recommend wearing a tee-shirt, tracksuit training top or hoodie, shorts and tracksuit bottoms or joggers, sports socks and trainers or, if you have them, plastic studded rugby boots. 

“Mouldie” (plastic studded) boots can be worn on the grass and also on 4G artificial surfaces so may be best for Inclusive Touch or beginners.

Club-branded merchandise will also available to buy in the future whenever you want some.

Check the weather forecast before you come and dress appropriately for the weather. If it it's raining, bring some warm dry clothes to change in after.

Please bring your own water bottle to stay hydrated.

No, not at all! Kernow Piskies is inclusive; we are proudly open to anyone and everyone who wants to enjoy rugby. Our team allows people of many different backgrounds to play together. The team is a space that aspires to be warm, safe and exciting for everyone. 

 Experience is not a requirement to start your rugby journey.  Almost everyone is a beginner at the start, and experienced players support those who are learning. We will train you to know everything you could possibly need to know. 

Training and playing are voluntary: it is entirely up to you how much time you want to commit to the team. That said, the more you train, the faster you will learn, the better you will play and the more you will get out of being in the experience! 

“Why Kernow Piskies?"

A Cornish Piskie is a mischevious fairy or sprite from the folklore of Cornwall. They are known for playing tricks and causing chaos. Piskies are childlike and can be helpful or mischevious depending on how they are treated.

Unfortunately, the term "Fairy" has sometimes been said in a derogatory slur to some in the LGBT+ community (usually gay men). We want to empower our members, reclaiming the identity of Piskies/Fairies in a positive way, which shows strength, power and unity. 

We believe the Cornish community is a friendly, welcoming and diverse bunch of individuals and we hope that people can find their Tribe by joining our club and taking part in our activities.

The final logo created depicts the Progress Pride & Intersex colours, which surrounds the Kernow Piskies crest.