A well attended, Covid compliant, CRFU AGM was held at Camborne RFC on the 30th June.
President John Sumnall welcomed the attendees and congratulated them and their clubs for all the hard work under difficult circumstances this past season.
John felt that the rugby community in Cornwall had come together during a troubled year and shown true Cornish spirit in adversity.
The President also made a plea to the clubs to help the CRFU deliver it’s role via the committees, as ever willing volunteers are sought to come on to these committees to help formulate the game in the duchy. (See below for the full President’s address).
CRFU Chairman, David Saunter informed the meeting that John Sumnall’s tenure as President had been extend by one year as a result of the covid affected season. He also informed the meeting that Andy Reed, (Bodmin, Camborne, Bath, Wasps, Scotland and the British Lions) had been appointed President Elect, assuming the role in season 23/24 for the three year term.
Honorary Secretary Terry Williams and CRFU Clubs Representative to the RFU, Alan Milliner were both re-elected unopposed to serve a further three year term.
The President then went on to make the following presentations;
Honorary Vice President: Paul Hurrell (Hayle RFC), held over from 2020.
Honorary Vice President: Paul Cottle (Bude RFC)
Honorary Vice President: Alan Truscott (Camborne RFC
The President also paid tribute to past President Dave Martin who has completed 40 years service with the CRFU covering many different roles.
Following the AGM there was an open forum with several topics being discussed.
President’s address;
CRFU AGM 30 June 2021
President’s Report
As we reflect on the activities of this strange season in its closure there are many positive conclusions to be drawn but the one that stands out is the simple fact that the rugby family in Cornwall is in particularly good health.
It has been most rewarding working with the Clubs and being reminded of the dedication of their volunteers and how, without them, some Clubs may be severely struggling. Finance was made available for the Clubs from various sources, including the CRFU, but it required the volunteers within the Clubs to ensure that this finance reached the required areas within the Club to find maximum benefit. We should congratulate those volunteers as they have ensured that the next generation can enjoy our great game within our great family in Cornwall.
Throughout the season the CRFU Management Board has worked tirelessly to support the game in Cornwall and, as described above, the Clubs have responded for the benefit of everyone with the response from the Clubs further motivating the Board and so recommencing the cycle. All the Board Members must be thanked for the unselfish manner in which they have freely given their time for the betterment of Rugby in Cornwall and I would be failing if I did not mention the outstanding work of our Chair “Saunts”. He has been an inspirational leader never too busy to discuss ideas and problems, unafraid to act when something must be corrected and always found time to praise when appropriate.
However, the present Board will not last for ever and it is vital that Club Members volunteer their services to one of the CRFU Committees as we are interdependent on one another. It is not a great commitment with many Committees meeting perhaps only four or five times a year and often virtual.
Everything of course was not always positive as we all felt the brunt of the wholesale changes by the Rugby Football Union necessitated but not solely by the effect of the covid pandemic on its income. Not only have we lost our RFU Community Rugby Department members in Cornwall but there have been massive changes to personnel in the RFU itself and I feel sure that it will take several more years to bed down to the level, if ever, that it was before the pandemic. One concern is the future of the County Championship and I can assure everyone that the CRFU is doing everything possible to retain this great event that gives a player the chance to play at Twickenham in a Cornwall shirt.
Finally, I consider it a great honour to be asked to add a further year to my tenure as President and I promise to continue my theme of “communication”.
Thank you.
John Sumnall.
17 June 2021.
