‘Meet the Players’ Again Proves Popular

‘Meet the Players’ Again Proves Popular

With Good News & Singing an Added Bonus!

The well attended ‘Meet the Players’ event held by the Cornish Pirates at the Mennaye Field on Friday evening once again proved popular.

Following the opportunity for everyone present to watch a training session, PA announcer Phil Westren firstly officially welcomed supporters and sponsors before introducing new players to the crowd. He also commended last season’s squad, highlighting finishing third in the Championship, and staying unbeaten at home in the league for the first time ever, besides making it to the semi-final stage of the Championship Cup.

Next, as a bonus, members of the always popular Cadgwith Singers joined the whole squad on the field as together they sang the popular Cornish song ‘Little Eyes’. It went down a real treat, as did the hog roast enjoyed on the night.

Chairman Paul Durkin next addressed the gathering, providing a general update reference the RFU and the Championship. He said the subject of minimum criteria intimated that it could be reduced from 10,000 to 5,000 capacity, whilst he also stressed that the Stadium for Cornwall project is still very much alive. Work could now begin sooner than many might have expected, and although smaller than originally envisaged it would have the potential to in time expand.

Finally, joint head coach Alan Paver spoke passionately of how well pre-season has gone and how pleased the coaches were by the efforts and potential shown by the squad.

Overall, the evening’s event had been very well received. Indeed, as one supporter commented:

“It was a brilliant ‘Meet the Players’ evening. The singing was an added bonus and thank you to all of the Pirates staff for your continued hard work. I’m looking forward to this season!”

(The new players announced on the night had included a few who had featured briefly for the Cornish Pirates last season but were attending their first ‘Meet the Players’ event. They were Olly Adkins, Steele Barker, Morgan Nelson, and Rusiata ‘Rus’ Tuima. As for the names of the complete newcomers yet to wear the Pirates shirt the list comprised Harvey Beaton, Will Britton, Will Crane, Alex Everett, James Fender, Seb Nagle-Taylor, Garyn Smith, Will Trewin, Olly White, Josh Williams, Max Norey, Matt Johnson, and Arthur Relton. Also, two players present and introduced on the evening who have been training with the squadand have played for the Royal Navy, but have not yet officially signed, were Jarrard Hayler and Jesse Lowe)