Falmouth Rugby Club in Cornwall elects new president at EGM

Members of Falmouth Rugby Club gathered at its clubhouse on Dracaena Avenue for a ‘state of the nation’ address from chairman John Bullock in order to elect a new president and help members understand where they are as a club, where they need people’s support and what the challenges ahead are.

Before voting in the next president, John Bullock explained the role to members, saying: “As you’re probably aware, the previous president stood down last year for personal reasons.

“The role of president is an honorary position, it’s for two years where the president can do as much or as little as they want.”

Paul Radmore was elected president of Falmouth Rugby Club (Image: Falmouth Rugby Club)

Paul Radmore, who has previously worked as the club’s treasurer among other roles, was nominated for the role by Vice Chairman James Instance and was subsequently voted in by club members at the meeting.

Paul gave a short speech accepting his role in which he said: “I’m really looking forward to the next couple of years.

“I’m really looking forward to seeing the improvement.”

John Bullock told The Packet: “Paul’s been at the heart of the club for a number of years. He came down here in 1980 as a school teacher, played his rugby here, and then did various committee jobs.

“His heart is in the club and I think he’ll do a great job.”

After the new president’s election, the meeting’s attention turned to the running of the club and the challenges it faced, particularly regarding volunteers at the club.

With a number of club volunteers standing down, the club explained the roles that needed filling in areas such as grounds and facilities; comms and marketing; governance; and community and future.

John continued: “Last night we filled somewhere in the region of eight or nine vacancies, there were a lot of people who came and spoke to me after the event and volunteered for various jobs, so I think in terms of recruitment of people with a passion for the club, it was really successful.

After the new president’s election, the meeting’s attention turned to the running of the club and the challenges it faced (Image: Falmouth Rugby Club)

“People are willing to give up their spare time and aid us moving forward, so I think it was very successful.”

When asked whether the meeting made him confident the club could continue on for another 150 years and forge a legacy, John replied: “Absolutely, definitely.

“The club has got a long history and the thing that really stands out in my mind is that this club has done 150 years of continuous rugby, it didn’t close down during the wars, and we kept playing as much as we could through the pandemic.

“That rugby family in Falmouth is very very strong, and last night brought it home to me that actually, as a club, we’ve re-gathered our history, we’re creating legacy, and I think the club will go from strength to strength.

“Some of the things we spoke about last night, the touch rugby, the academy, the bedrock of a women’s team, just says to me that we’ll continue to move forward.”