With Josh Lewsey’s term as acting CEO almost up it was anticipated that an announcement would be made as to his future role.
So yesterday’s announcement from Chairman Dicky Evans came as no surprise.
The statement read. “It was announced back in March that British Lion and World Cup winner Josh Lewsey had been appointed as Acting CEO/Performance Director at the Cornish Pirates for a six month period.
“Everyone will be aware that since Josh’s arrival it has been a very busy and productive time for the club, and with September fast approaching there is welcome news that his commitment to the club is for the longer term, staying on as an advisor to the board. As from October Josh will be working elsewhere but has agreed to help the club continue it’s new approach and hopefully achieve the long term aim of becoming a Premiership club.
“From October Rebecca Daniell is upgrading her role from Business and Finance Controller to Acting CEO until the New Year. At that time we will have a much clearer idea of the impact on finances of the change to Friday night floodlit rugby, the new marketing initiatives and the impact of Josh’s input on the team performances. We will then regroup again to look at the 2014-2015 horizons.
“On behalf of the Board I would formally like to express our appreciation for his huge impact on our Club and rugby in the Cornwall republic generally. It has been massive and from 4000 miles away like riding a Tiger by the Tail. He has always had the financial constraints of any player recruitment in his thinking processes and is well aware of the financial constraints surrounding a club in the Far West that doesn’t have the facilities or catchment area to generate funding for bigger squads/better facilities.
“Obviously those who have met him will know he is a driven man and a modern day Pied Piper.
“Let us hope all his hard work in the last six months results in top class rugby at a packed exciting venue. Josh certainly deserves this.
“I also feel sure he will be equally successful and innovative in his new role and we wish him the very best for the future.
Photo – Josh Lewsey along with Dave Martin Cornwall rep to the RFU and Cornwall Clubs XV Players Ben Taylor (St. Ives), Harry Martin (Falmouth), Nathan Chapman (Roseland), who will skipper the side on the night and Daryl Harding (St. Agnes).
Speaking at Redruth R.F.C. last night at the conclusion of the third of the Cornish Pirates’ Road shows around the county Lewsey was confident that the structures he had put in place over the summer would progress the Cornish Pirates.
“I don’t think today’s announcement is going to make a huge change, my tenure was for six months on a consultancy basis, we’ve made some big changes in the time and my commitment, not just to the club but also rugby in the county, is for the longer term.
“I am delighted to be asked to maintain commitment there and I hope to do so for the long term.
“It’s been a big challenge to put in place the framework within the six months, but this isn’t about me it’s about the club and the whole county. This is very much a long game in putting in place these structures.
Photo by Simon Bryant – Josh Lewsey, Nathan Chapman (Roseland) and Captain of Cornwall Clubs XV & Kenny Plummer President Cornwall RFU
“Friday’s match (vs. Cornwall Clubs XV KO 7-30 pm) is symbolic of our new beginning of working with the Cornwall RFU and ALL the clubs in the county, this evening the Pirates are here training at Redruth RFC one of the most iconic club grounds in Cornwall. Hopefully we will see the fruits of our hard work with people coming to see professional rugby on a Friday night when our League campaign gets under way.
“Cornwall is very much my home now, but as I have said from the outset the only people who will give Cornwall the chance of having a side competing at the top level of rugby are the Cornish people themselves.
Josh has taken a keen interest in how the squad has been shaping up over the summer. “I feel that the squad are physically very well prepared and I feel that they are very well focused on the tasks ahead.
“There is a greater emphasis now on individual performance and progression along Premiership lines.
“We’ve recruited a lot of young guys, many with connections to Cornwall, and just as off the field we have put long term plans in place, likewise on the field. This side is not going to win the Championship this season, but it will develop and be ready when the club is in a position to make that push. Hopefully the style of rugby we are going to endeavour to play will please the crowd, it’s about a progressive path for the longer term.
