CSM Rugby Players Raise Funds for Mental Health Charity Ahead of Bottle Match

Students from the Camborne School of Mines Rugby team are turning heads ahead of this Saturday’s Bottle Match, raising thousands of pounds for mental health charity Sport in Mind in the process.

From bold buzz cuts to unconventional designs, every player making their Bottle Match debut commits to a distinctive haircut before the annual varsity clash against the Royal School of Mines at Imperial College London.

But the brave new looks are about more than tradition. The team has already raised £7,879 towards a £10,000 target, with all funds going to support Sport in Mind, a national charity that delivers free sport and physical activity sessions to improve the lives of people experiencing mental health challenges. Last year alone, the team raised more than £10,000 for charity.

A Tradition With History

Founded in 1902, the Bottle Match is the second oldest varsity match in the world and is now in its 124th year. What began as a single rugby fixture has grown into a full weekend of competitive sport, including tennis, squash, hockey, football, netball and badminton.

Each February, the two historic mining schools compete for the honour of lifting the Bottle Match trophy, a three-foot-tall tin beer bottle. Royal School of Mines claimed the Bottle last year, and with the event returning to Cornwall this month, Camborne School of Mines is determined to bring the historic trophy back home.

This year’s Bottle Match takes place on Saturday 21st February at 2pm at Penryn Rugby Club. Entry is £2 and students, alumni and the local community are invited to attend.

Supporting Mental Health Through Sport

CSM Rugby Club is one of more than 150 student-led sports clubs and societies managed by Falmouth and Exeter Students’ Union. The Students’ Union works alongside these groups to support student wellbeing, build community and create inclusive spaces where students can thrive.

Angela Novell, CEO of Falmouth and Exeter Students’ Union, said:

“This is such a brilliant fundraising challenge for mental health, demonstrating the power of sport to change lives. We are incredibly proud to support our rugby team bringing together students from both universities in this historic sporting fixture and look forward to a great Bottle Match.”

Reflecting on the importance of the fixture, CSM Rugby Captain Charlie Brice said:

“Ever since I joined CSM as a fresher, the Bottle Match was drilled into me as something hugely important. Looking back, I didn’t really quite realise the weight that it carries, both historically and in the present day. For example, we have alumni travelling from as far as Australia to watch our game on the 21st.

I think that our freshers this year, with the help of the committee, have really got to grips with the pride and honour that it is to be selected in the match day squad. Even the haircuts have become part of that badge of honour. It’s a brilliant tradition. The older boys have all been through the haircuts themselves, and every year we raise thousands of pounds for Sport in Mind who we have built a great relationship with.

We also work closely with The Town Barbers in Falmouth who kindly donate their time to complete the looks. Myself and the team are very excited for our game on the 21st of February. It’s gonna be a gooden.”

To support the team’s fundraising efforts, donations can be made via their JustGiving page: https://www.justgiving.com/team/csmbottle

📷CSM Rugby players sporting their new haircuts