Restructure confirmed

Application made by the Pirates to the Rugby Football Union for an important demerger to take place has been approved by the RFU.

This follows separate Annual General Meetings having been held by the Cornish Pirates, the Pirates Amateurs, and Penzance & Newlyn RFC, for  a demerger which will now see Penzance & Newlyn RFC separate from Cornish Pirates and merge with the Pirates Amateurs who in the process will take on the name of Penzance & Newlyn RFC and become its 1^st XV, due to play this coming season in Regional 2 South West.

Cornish Pirates would become an independent voting member club of the RFU, and a new member of Cornwall RFU, while retaining their Championship status – now rebranded ‘The Champ’.

The actual wording from the RFU’s Governance Committee advises that they were content to approve the following:

The Material Reorganisation of Cornish Pirates, Penzance & Newlyn RFC and Pirates Amateurs as set out below:

The transfer of the league position of Pirates Amateurs to Penzance & Newlyn RFC (with Pirates Amateurs becoming Penzance & Newlyn RFC’s 1^st XV).

The de-merger of Kernow Sport Ltd (t/a Cornish Pirates) from Penzance & Newlyn RFC, to operate as a standalone Club and entity moving forward, and the application from Cornish Pirates for voting membership of the RFU.

Speaking on behalf of Penzance & Newlyn RFC, the club’s Chairman, Peter Whyte, has said:

“We look forward to the next chapter and to the continued success of both clubs. This restructure creates a clear identity for each organisation and opens the door to new opportunities – particularly around funding and access to grants – which will benefit rugby across our community.

“I’d like to thank everyone involved in making this possible, including the RFU, Cornwall RFU, and the leadership teams at all three clubs.

“Also, I want to acknowledge the incredible work done by Jack Nicholas, Scott Dugdale, and the Pirates Amateurs committee, who have built a fantastic team rooted in the local community, and it will now be very exciting to see Penzance & Newlyn’s First and Second XVs take the field in the club’s 80th year.”

“Finally, I wish Sally, Gav, Paves, the new ownership group, and the Cornish Pirates every success moving forward.”

On behalf of the Cornish Pirates, CEO Sally Pettipher commented:

“It’s a bittersweet moment separating from our founder, but each club knows the benefits this will bring. My thanks to everyone involved in making this happen. We are still together in many ways and have exciting plans to make both clubs stronger.”