WEYMOUTH & Portland has, almost certainly, succeeded in making history by electing a woman as club chairman at its AGM.

When Fiona Goldsmith was elected to chair the club’s management committee at the AGM she became one of the first women in the country to fulfil this particular role in a rugby union club.

Goldsmith has been involved with the club for several years as a player and as chairman of the club’s women’s section.

The AGM, which was held at the Seahorses’ Monmouth Avenue clubhouse saw Ian Macmillan, who has been a member since 1985 and the club’s chairman for the past five years, announcing that he had decided to stand down along with Des Quick, who has been president since 2009.

Former RFU president Willie Wildash, who first joined the club in 1961, was elected president and he thanked Quick and Macmillan for their tremendous record of service as members and as officers of the club.

They had both joined the club as players and had made enormous contributions, on and off the field, ranging from coaching of young players to planning and fundraising.

Waldash then presented Quick with an engraved pewter salver and Macmillan with an engraved pewter tankard. He also said that he was very proud of the fact that the club was one of the very first in the country to have elected a woman as its chairman.

Finally, Waldash proposed that the AGM should elect Quick as an honorary life member in recognition of his 58 years of loyal service and this was carried with acclamation.

Speaking to Echosport regarding his tenure, Quick, a former player, coach and committee member, said rugby had “changed out of all recognition” in those 58 years.

He said: “I’ve met a lot of great people and I think I would have hesitated to step down if Willie had not expressed an interest in taking over.

“I’m really pleased he’s taking over. It’s been a time of great challenges.

“When I first started playing, rugby was so totally different to what it is now. It’s become a more free-flowing game and has changed out of all recognition.”

Quick also back the “capable” Goldsmith to succeed in her important new role at the club.

He said: “Fiona is going to be thrown in at the deep end. Willie’s been a past president of the RFU and will be able to advise Fiona – it’s quite a step up.

“She’s a pretty capable person, I’m sure she’ll do well.

“She’s conscientious as well.”