THE Cornish Pirates have announced the signings of six promising young players as part of the club’s recently-formed Player Development Foundation (PDF).
Three of the players are from Cornwall, confirming the club’s desire to keep hold of and develop promising young Cornish players, with two from Devon and another, from Guernsey.
Forming the Cornish trio are props Tyler Gendall and Jay Tyack, along with hooker Locryn Williams, while utility lock/back-row Marcus Garratt and back-rower Todd Lowry both hail from Devon.
The young Guernsey islander is back-row player George Collenette, who follows in the footsteps of wing Luke Jones and is similarly supported by the Guernsey Sports Commission.
Cornish Pirates Director of Rugby Ian Davies said: “These young lads are obviously highly talented and want to have a future in professional rugby.
“We are giving them a chance to experience a professional environment and I have no doubt they will add to the quality of the squad we have recruited for this season.”
The Pirates have also confirmed that another Cornishman, back-rower Jake Parker, has re-signed for the club, who are expected to announce the names of several talented players who will be added to the squad on a dual-registration agreement with Exeter Chiefs tomorrow (Friday).
Anyone requiring more details about the Player Development Foundation should contact tom.magill@cornish-pirates.com
George Collenette (back row)
DoB: 3rd March 1996; Birthplace: Guernsey; Height: 6′ 2″ (1.88m); Weight: 15st 2lbs (96kg); Honours: Guernsey Schools U16s
After being introduced to rugby by his uncle, Lawrence Bird, a former coach with the Bermuda national team, George turned out for La Mare de Carteret Secondary School.
He progressed to captain the school team before playing at the Guernsey Rugby Academy where his passion grew further. Indeed, he also captained the island sides through his age groups from year 7, and in 2009 he was Guernsey Rugby Academy player of the year.
When George arrived at year 11, sponsorship from various Guernsey companies and charities enabled him to study and develop his skills at Llandovery College, where he played for the 1st XV in the Welsh Schools Colleges League.
Away from rugby George has competed in the Wales Indoor Rowing Championships and was a member of the Guernsey Gaels Gaelic Football team who were Pan-European champions in 2012.
Marcus Garratt (lock/back row)
DoB: Nov 9 1994; Birthplace Dorchester; Height: 6’5″ (1.96m); Weight: 18st 8lbs (118kg); Honours: Devon U16/U17/U18s.
Marcus took up rugby at the age of four, when his dad took him along to Exeter Saracens.
Educated first at Whimple Primary School and Clyst Vale Community College, after playing for Exeter Saracens up to U15 level Marcus spent two years at Okehampton.
After attending Ivybridge College, where he studied for a Level 3 BTEC in Sports Coaching, a next move was to Bicton College which also has strong links with Exeter Chiefs Academy.
Marcus has also appreciated the backing of a number of great coaches, including Paul Burgan at Exeter Saracens.
Tyler Gendall (prop)
DoB: Sept 15 1994; Birthplace: Truro Height: 5′ 11″ (1.8m); Weight: 16st 12lbs (107kg); Honours: Cornwall U15s-U20s.
Educated at St Hilary School and Mounts Bay Academy, Tyler also attended Truro College where he was also a member of the college’s rugby academy team.
Tyler had played cricket and football up to the age of 13, but had his rugby interest kindled while at Mounts Bay Academy and then with the Pirates junior teams.
An enjoyable spell with St Ives followed, first with their Colts team and then in the senior side for whom he made his debut in February, 2013. Also, before joining the Cornish Pirates, Tyler received invaluable coaching from Rob Elloway and Tom Riley who coached at St Ives.
Rugby honours for Tyler include playing for Cornwall from U15 to U20s level, and the South West England U20s squad. He has also played for Exeter Chiefs Academy and while at Truro College played in Dubai and Japan.
Tyler played for Cornwall’s youth cricket teams from the age of 10 to 14, during which he enjoyed a tour with the U13s to South Africa.
Todd Lowry (back row)
DoB: Feb 18 1995; Birthplace: Torquay; Height: 1.93m (6’4″) Weight: 16st 12lbs (107kg); Honours: Devon U16s.
Devonian Todd first started playing rugby at Paignton, when he was aged about seven. A member there up to U16s level, he then moved to Brixham RFC where he played for the U16s and the Colts.
Todd moved on to Ivybridge College, which has an association with Exeter Chiefs Academy and in his second year Ivybridge reached the semi-finals of the AASE league, where they lost to the strong Saracens Oaklands Academy side.
Todd then moved to Bicton College where he played in his first men’s league match for Exmouth who competed last season in National Two South and were winners of the Devon Cup.
Todd participated in an England U19s internal game and was also selected to play against England U20s in the warm-up game ahead of their IRB 2014 Junior World Championship campaign in New Zealand.
Jay Tyack (prop)
DoB: June 7 1996 Birthplace: Truro Height: 6′ 1″ (1.86m) Weight: 19st 7lbs (124 kg); Honours: Cornwall U16/U18s, South West U16/U18s, England U16s; Elite Squad (2 caps), England U18s Clubs Schools (2 caps).
Having first started playing rugby in Year 7 at Penair School, Jay was encouraged to join Truro RFC, where he played up to U16s level.
During his time at Penair School he had visited the Pirates along with fellow pupils during their annual Rugby Enrichment Week, and he had also received specialist coaching from prop Alan Paver.
Jay was selected for Cornwall U16s, and for the South West U16s and England U16s Elite squad. He was capped for his country playing against Italy U17s and Wales U16s.
He was awarded a scholarship to attend Bryanston School in Dorset, but played again for Cornwall, this time for the U18s team, before progressing to the England Clubs and Schools U18s.
Locryn Williams (hooker)
DoB: Oct 20 1995; Birthplace: Truro; Height: 5′ 10″ (1.78m); Weight: 14st (89kg); Honours: Cornwall U15s to 20s, South South West U18s, England Clubs Schools U18s.
Locryn started his rugby playing for Redruth where he was introduced to the game by his dad, Mark, who was his coach, and he stayed with the Reds until he joined the Pirates at U12s level.
Educated at Truro School, Locryn was vice-captain when the school’s U15s team played in the Daily Mail Cup Final at Twickenham.
He later captained the U18s team in a season when he also skippered both the Cornwall and the South South West U18s.
‘Loccy’ is a former U14s National Independent Schools Judo Champion who aged 16, was runner-up in his first British Judo Council men’s open.
While working on his family’s Presingoll Farm at St Agnes, Locryn enjoys paddle boarding and kayaking around St Michael’s Mount.
Providing another form of less strenuous relaxation, he likes to read and write poetry.
A good number of people have influenced Locryn’s sporting development and he is grateful to all. Included among them are respected former Cornwall Coach Phil Angove and Truro School staff member Graham Whitmore, whose favourite phrase directed to Locryn was: “If you are good enough, you’ll find a way.”
Article source: http://www.dailystar.co.uk/rugby-league/386541/Jodie-Broughton-has-no-regrets-over-Salford-departure
Rugby: Cornish Pirates add six new faces as talent search gathers pace
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