Supporter information for Hartpury

Important Information for Supporters!

With reference to Boxing Day’s league encounter against Hartpury – kick-off at 5pm – the following information is hopefully of use for supporters.

Tickets:   Tickets for the fixture will be available at the gates on the day (open 3pm), whilst in the meantime they can also be purchased on-line. For further information please visit: www.cornish-pirates.com/tickets

Note that tickets will be on pre-sale until 10am on Boxing Day and will then be available on the gate at a cost of £15 for adults, £1 for children.

Covid Awareness for Match Days:   In light of the recent new variant and change in Government guidelines, we have made the decision to make it mandatory that masks are to be worn when entering or moving around in the marquee, other than when seated for hospitality. Please social distance where possible, use hand sanitiser (available at the main entry points), and endeavour to keep physical contact to an absolute minimum. Handshakes and hugging should be avoided.

The Cornish Pirates are very much enjoying having supporters back at The Mennaye, however, ‘One & All’ will also appreciate that with at present a substantial increase in the number of positive cases of COVID-19 within the general population, there is little scope for relaxation.

We must continue to protect training and playing environments as best can, with practical controls on match days still a necessity. By doing this we help protect the health of everyone and at the same time reduce the risk of games being cancelled and there any disruption to training.

Last season’s Red Zone principles and protocols will remain for the time being, including reinforcing the need for a clear 2 metre gap between spectators and occupants of the Red Zone (Players, Coaches, Match Officials, and certain other personnel).  Red Zone areas include such as the playing field, changing rooms, and certain reserved area in the stands.

Supporters should be aware that Stewards will monitor movements of everyone inside the ground. Their usual presence, however, is naturally to help and give advice where needed, so please show them the respect they deserve.

It is advised that supporters may wish to take a voluntary lateral flow test within 48 hours of attending the event. Tests are free and can be ordered through this link:

https://www.gov.uk/order-coronavirus-rapid-lateral-flow-tests

With reference to post match, it is especially important to note that unfortunately no interaction will be allowed between players and supporters until they have left the red zones for the day, this includes entering the hospitality area after the game.

Hospitality:   Hospitality numbers are very encouraging at present. For those interested in booking hospitality, and for future games,

please email: [email protected]

The Pirates Shop:   It has been a busy time for the Pirates Shop. Items are available for sale from the on-ground shop on match days, but please note that purchases can be made by CARD ONLY – No cash.

At other times merchandise can be purchased via the online shop link:

https://cornish-pirates.com/shop/

Live Streaming Match Coverage:   For ‘exiles’ and others who can’t make the game in person at the Mennaye Field on Sunday, who are keen not to miss any of the action, it can still be watched live. ‘Tickets’ for the match, priced at £7, can be purchased via:

https://www.247.tv/champsrugby

Finally, as previously announced, in the warm up for the game the Cornish Pirates players will be wearing a special one-off designed rugby shirt that has been made possible by Whirlwind Sports to mark the 40-year anniversary of the RNLI Penlee Lifeboat Disaster, that so sadly occurred on Saturday the 19^th December 1981.

A photograph displayed is of Cornish Pirates players wearing the shirts, plus four members of the present RNLI Penlee Lifeboat’s crew, three of whom, namely Coxswain Patrick Harvey, Adrian Bick and David Pascoe, are former Pirates. Also pictured is the founder of Whirlwind Sports, Paul Billing, and Neil Brockman. A son of Nigel Brockman, who was one of the eight Penlee lifeboatmen aboard the RNLB “Solomon Browne” who lost their lives at the time of the disaster, Neil was aged 17 when he reported for duty back in1981, only to be turned down for the trip by coxswain Trevelyan Richards, who was reluctant on such a night to take out two members of the same family. Neil was in later years a Penlee lifeboat coxswain himself.

During pre-match hospitality at the Hartpury game, there will be a Silent Auction for two of the shirts, both signed by Neil, whilst the remaining shirts will afterwards be available to bid for via the Whirlwind Sports website – https://www.whirlwindsports.com/

It has rightly been said many times, with added importance in this anniversary year, that the crew of the “Solomon Browne” will never be forgotten.