AGM Calling Notice
To all voting members of Topsham Rugby Football Club
You are hereby invited to the 2025 AGM which will be held on Thursday 24th July at Topsham Rugby Football Club at 19:00. The clubhouse bar will be open. If you are unable to attend in person there will be a provision for joining via a Microsoft Teams meeting using the following reference:
Meeting ID: 340 897 327 739 0
Passcode: ph9wL9z4

For the AGM to complete its business it is essential that we have at least 10% of our voting
membership in attendance in person or electronically, this means at least 62 people.
The purpose of the AGM is:
• To approve the minutes of the previous AGM
• To receive and adopt the Trustees annual report and statement of accounts,
• To appoint the club’s Independent Examiner,
• To announce the election of the Club’s Chairman, Vice Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer and
other Elected Trustees. Details of the persons standing for election or re-election are
attached to this notice.
• To elect the management committee or officers thereof
• To vote on the proposed change to the constitution, which is detailed as below:
o Amendment to article 10.6.1 of paragraph (f)
o The trustees reserve the right to veto the appointment of any Club Committee
Member (e.g. Facilities Manager, Junior Chair, Coaching Co-ordinator etc) if they feel
that person would not be appropriate in that role. This needs a 2/3rd majority of
sitting trustees to be carried. They are under no obligation to explain their decision
• To deal with any resolutions to be moved at the meeting (none yet notified),
• And any other business as notified by members (these must be notified to the Secretary by17th July 2025).

PERSONS STANDING FOR ELECTION OR RE-ELECTION AT THE 2025 AGM
Seb Stewart: standing for re-election as Chairman, proposed by Hannah Cottle, seconded by Darren Oxland
I've been a member of Topsham RFC for nearly 25 years - firstly as a player - towards the end of my playing time! and then as a coach - starting as an u7 coach, working my way through the age group and most latterly coaching the Colts which I did for 6 years. Topsham RFC is thriving both on and off the pitch; I want to continue to support the development of all our teams across the club, ensure it remains a great place to be for our players, supporters and visitors to the club, and make sure we have stability and means to support these aims off the pitch.

Darren Oxland: standing for re-election as Vice-Chairman, proposed by Hannah Cottle, seconded by Seb Stewart
I’ve been involved with the club for 20years, as a coach and parent to a lot of young players, who have passed through our wonderful club and to see so many go on to further success not just at our club but also at others and with so many returning and staying to play for us gives me the most pleasure! Helping the club on and off the field is one of my goals and to leave the club in a great place for the future!

Hannah Cottle: standing for re-election as Secretary, proposed by Darren Oxland, seconded by SebStewart
I’ve been involved at the Club and on the management committee for a number of years, and took on the role of Secretary in 2024. It’s great to see the progression of the Club both on and off the field, and I’m really proud to play a small role in that. You’ll usually find me on the sidelines cheering on my husband Marcus in the 1st XV, along with our
son Henry & dog Norman!

Freyja Wilkinson: standing for re-election as Treasurer, proposed by Hannah Cottle, seconded by Seb Stewart
I was part of Topsham RFC, way back when the women formed a team. Sadly though I had to take a long hiatus due to family. I rejoined Topsham Ladies, now Tempests, in 2022 (six years later) then found myself taking over the treasury role in the Summer of 2023. Since taking on this committee role I have been heavily involved in getting Topsham RFC to where it is now along with other dedicated committee members.

Mark Dixie: standing for re-election as a Trustee, proposed by Hannah Cottle, seconded by Seb Stewart
I joined the club in 1984 ,after leaving school, when we played at King George Vth playing fields and clubhouse was The Globe. Helped in the building of the first clubhouse, captaining the 1st XV for two seasons. 15 years of playing,9 years coaching Juniors, sponsor from first days at Bonfire Field. 10 years as main shirt sponsor.

Ron Murray: standing for re-election as President, proposed by Hannah Cottle, seconded by Seb Stewart
As a former club Chairman and now President of the club I have a good understanding of the operation of the club and believe I have helped the trustees operate more effectively since I was appointed. If re-elected, I am happy to stand as a Trustee for one more year.

Katie Lunnon: standing for re-election as a Trustee, proposed by Hannah Cottle, seconded by Seb Stewart.
I've been a part of the club for over ten years now - I was one of the people involved in setting up our women's section in 2013-14, and was their club captain for five years in total, as well as playing a number of other roles on their committee over the years and sitting on the club management committee. Over the last few years I have been one of the junior team managers (currently under 7s soon to be under 8s). Outside of Topsham I was lead for women's rugby in Devon (development and county team manager) for nine years, after I was asked to re-establish the women's team in 2015. I stepped down from that role last year due to work commitments and also so I could focus my volunteer time more at Topsham. I have been involved in writing funding applications for the club for several years and more recently the crowdfunding campaign for the clubhouse renovations.

Nigel Deasy: standing for re-election as a Trustee, proposed by Hannah Cottle, seconded by Seb Stewart
I joined TRFC in 1983 straight after leaving school, back when the Globe Hotel was our club house and we played at King George V playing fields, Countess Wear. Training was jogging around the Goats Walk and, in the orchard, where the university sports ground now is. Topsham was a social club with likeminded members who enjoyed their rugby and mostly enjoyed their beer. In the early days we ran three sides, occasionally, & I became the second team captain, mainly because no one else wanted to do it, and much like today’s team we played an open expansive game, running most things from our own line, much to the annoyance of our forwards. A spell in the Royal Navy (Aircraft Handler) was followed by a career in the fire service both of which afforded good rugby opportunities for ship and service, but I always retained my connection with Topsham, retiring from the playing game I went into coaching the juniors throughout all age groups as my son grew up, finishing at U15’s. I became a Trustee 3 years ago and undertake the Fire Safety oversight of the club as well as actively supporting the club’s management committee. The club is so welcoming, to opposition teams and the community alike, I want to support and encourage further integration with our community, raising its profile and promoting its successes and to encourage wider membership and support for our club and our teams from the wider East Devon area.

Pete Hawley: standing for re-election as a Trustee, proposed by Hannah Cottle, seconded by Seb Stewart
I first came to TRFC as a parent of keen 6 and 8 year old boys in 2002. After a couple of years of enjoying watching the boys play, I decided that it was time to give back to the sport which I love. I did the coaching course in 2005 and followed my younger son’s team from Under 9’s through to Colts. Being a keen volunteer didn’t go unmissed, so I picked up a number of additional roles along the way. These included, Child Welfare Officer, Junior Section Registrations, Kit procurement with my wife Julie picking up the role of treasurer for a number of years. Along with a cast of others, we oversaw the junior section rising from 38 registered players to 310 over my time with the club. In June 2013, Julie and I were made Life and Honorary Member of TRFC for our contributions to Junior Rugby. I was honoured to be ask to become a trustee of Topsham RFC almost 3 years ago and hope to bring to good use some of the experience gained from my time with the club and from my experience gained as Families Engagement Officer with a military Charity.

Sadie Osborne: standing for re-election as a Trustee, proposed by Hannah Cottle, seconded by Seb Stewart
I have been involved with Topsham RFC for over 10 years, being part of many fundraising events and being former Hon. Secretary. I run a mortgage advisory business and am really happy to support such a fantastic Club, that is a key part of the local community of Topsham.