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Cornwall RLFC are delighted to announce the signing of winger Henry Symons for the 2022 Betfred League One campaign.

The 21-year-old flyer also becomes our first Cornish signing for next term with Symons hailing from Perranporth. His capture duly demonstrates Cornwall RLFC’s long-term commitment to build a team and squad using locally born or raised players.

Symons is currently studying at the University of Gloucestershire and he has been playing rugby league regularly for their British University and College Sport (BUCS) team.

A number of impressive showings have seen Symons catch the eye and he recently represented the South West of England in University competition. Those representative honours come just three years after Symons first took up the sport of rugby league. Growing up in Cornwall, he played rugby union as a youngster, but before starting University, he was a talented boxer. Now he is firmly focused on a career in rugby league and says that signing for Cornwall is ‘surreal’.

“Cornwall is known for classic sports, but moving into a mainly northern sport like league will give us southern lads a chance to show what we can do on the pitch,” Symons began.

“Having competed in BUCS, there are some decent players down here. A pro team gives young players a chance to progress under some big names such as the coach (Neil Kelly).

“It’s nice because I grew up here in Cornwall and although I have moved away for University, it feels surreal and I am looking forward to it.

“It also feels sentimental because rugby union has always been the big one in Cornwall. Union was the only option if you wanted to play and keep fit other than going to the gym, but I am looking forward to playing and I am sure it will good.

“It’s crazy because I have just been used to little local Cornish (rugby union) clubs and now we have a team playing a professional game now. Hearing the names that are being chucked around, to be involved with coaches and players like that, it’s absolutely crazy.”

Symons also revealed that this move into Cornwall newest professional sporting entity will give him the chance to further his rugby league education, while quietly predicting a positive first season for the club.

“Any new club has to set their standards high and there is no reason why we should be looking at the bottom half of the table,” he added. “Players will play well through coaching. We have a big name so that should not be an issue.

“Personally, I want to play as much rugby as I can and get as much experience out of it as I can. This gives me the opportunity to develop myself as a player.”

Meanwhile, Cornwall RLFC general manager Gareth Reid added that Symons’ capture aptly reiterates the club’s desire to give opportunities to the best Cornish players.

He said: “We’ve made a commitment at the club to give local Cornish athletes an opportunity to make the squad and represent their home county and with this in mind, I am delighted to have made history by signing our first Cornish born player, Henry Symons.

“Henry is precisely the kind of local talent we aim to attract to the club. He’s a talented young athlete with a hunger to develop his game and play at the highest level possible. He’s already represented the South West England Universities regional team with gusto and we are confident that, under the guidance of Ned Kelly, Henry will go from strength to strength and represent the club and county well.”