Penzance & Newlyn RFC
Annual General Meeting Report 2008 A former
Mayor of Marazion, Sidney Thomas, who is a Penwith District and Marazion Town
Councillor, was appointed as the new Chairman of Penzance & Newlyn RFC at
its Annual General Meeting held at the 'Westholme' clubhouse last Thursday. 
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was filling a void which followed former Chairman Robin Turner resigning from
office earlier in the year, after it had been announced that the then club's President,
Dicky Evans, had stood down from the office. Robin
was elected as the club's new President at an EGM held at St. John's Hall, Penzance,
in February, him stating in his opening speech last Thursday, that when Dicky
Evans had resigned it "gave us all a shock!" |
He stressed the huge input given by his predecessor, who made sure the club was solvent enough to carry on providing rugby for all ages at the Mennaye, besides at the same time striving to create a side that could hold its head above water in the top 20 clubs in England.
Club Administrator,
Terry Drew, echoed Robin's comments by thanking Dicky Evans for his enormous contribution
and enthusiasm, mentioning that although no longer the club's President, he still
provides huge support and is passionately keen for the club to maintain its progress.
Terry also mentioned in his report that although the club failed to match the
achievements of the previous season, it still finished a creditable fifth in National
One. He congratulated Ed Fairhurst (Canada), Brian Tuohy (Ireland 'A' and 7s)
and Rhodri McAtee (Wales 7s) for having represented their country at international
level during this close season.
After well presented reports
were adopted from various sections during the evening, each of which highlighted
a great deal of excellent work undertaken by so many committed people, a motion
to approve a 'Club Constitution' was supported, as were amendments to to certain
bye-laws. Officers and committee members duly approved on
the night were as follows:- President - Robin Turner, Chairman
- Sidney Thomas, Club Administrator - Terry Drew, Treasurer - Geoff Read, Committee
Members - Nicky Brooks and Scott Dugdale Two stalwarts,
Graham Paul and Dave Trembath, were also nominated to join a prestigious list
of Vice Presidents who have given outstanding service to the club, with it no
surprise that both were given unanimous support. Graham
Paul first played for the club as a Colt back in the late 1940s, as a 14 years
old scrum-half, in the days long before a Mini-Junior Section. He was one of the
best players the club has produced, who also excelled as a try-scoring winger
when he played rugby league for Hull Kingston Rovers.
From the time regulations
permitted him to return to the rugby union fold, he has contributed many, many
hours for the club's cause, firstly coaching the Juniors and then helping with
the upkeep of the Mennaye ground.
Dave Trembath also started
his involvement with the Pirates when first playing for our Colts back in the
1960. In later years he became an active committee member and an official, and
as the club developed into the professional era, played an increasingly important
role as the club's Safety Officer, positively using his organising and communication
skills for benefit. Also, during the evening, club members
present appreciated CEO Rod Coward giving his appraisal of the past season, and
hopes for the future He outlined the current situation in relation to the RFU
proposals for Elite Rugby and how the Cornish Pirates were supportive of those
proposals, but that not all FDR Clubs were in agreement. Much would depend upon
the outcome of the ongoing discussions. Agreements had
been concluded whereby the Cornish Pirates will play at Camborne until at least
the end of April, 2010, with it also confirmed that Mounts Bay will play at the
Mennaye Field for the next two seasons.
With reference to 'Westholme', he advised
that negotiations were continuing with Molwin Homes, with there every chance of
positive progress being made with regard to the proposed new clubhouse. In conclusion,
he reiterated that Dicky Evans was at the heart of all we do, and is fully supportive
of everything we strive to achieve.
On the playing side,
Coach Mark Hewitt similarly reflected on the past season, and also looked forward
to the forthcoming campaign with a squad that has more strength in depth. His
view was that the the club had recruited wisely, with new coaching assistants
Brett Davey and Phil Angove also clearly having much to offer.
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