Once a pirate, always a pirate says new chairperson

Pirates Sports Club has a new chairperson but he is certainly no stranger.

Brad Guymer has been involved with the Greenside venue since he was six years old, and considered it a great privilege to take over the reins when he was elected chairperson at the October AGM.

“The club has attracted lots of new people since the lockdown and we are very excited about that,” he told Caxton Local Media in an interview.

“Pirates is 133 years old and we have a proud history we want to showcase to the community.”

Guymer was the vice-chairperson of the sports club for two years and chairperson of Pirates Rugby Club for seven years.

But his non-administrative role stretches back to when he would visit the sports club as a child after school to play sport.

Lately, he has enjoyed planning new projects for Pirates including the Christmas celebration, creating a new menu for the restaurant, setting up picturesque seating outside, adding cocktails to the menu and finding ways to make the club even more family-friendly.

The club also hosts a vegan market once per month and sets up jumping castles for children every weekend.

When the British and Irish Lions tour South Africa next year, Guymer plans to turn the club into a big fan park on match days.

“The club received plenty of financial support when we were closed and we are grateful for the contributions from old boys and old girls from across the world. No staff lost their jobs and when we reopened we ensured all protocols were in place and the health department even visited and were happy.”

Everyone who contributed financially during this time was listed in the ‘Pirates rescue crew’ and their names are visible for all to see on the walls in the clubhouse.

Details: Pirates Sports Club info@piratesclub.co.za; 011 646 5025.