FRESH approaches are being brought into Falmouth Cricket Club as they look to develop the side into champions.

On Friday it was confirmed at the team’s Annual General Meeting they would be led by Sean Hooper on the field while David Painter is becoming chairman.

Along with the changes at the top, new ideas are being introduced at the club with an eye on working on future talent for the team and increasing the business output.

This includes the introduction of an academy to develop young players which will be headed by coach Callum Whitaker, who joins the club from Truro.

Off the field, the home ground will be known as the Hine Downing Oval after a sponsorship deal was agreed with the solicitors firm.

“It is not an overnight fix, but we hope to make great strides this coming season and make Falmouth the best cricket club possible,” Painter said.

“The new approach being set up has the emphasis of building a foundation based on player development from the Under 9s through to the senior teams.

“We also want a professional approach and have the best coaching set up possible with Sean Hooper, Callum Whitaker and Liam Hoban.”

Falmouth Packet:

David Painter with the pitch of the newly named Hine Downing Oval behind him.

Ambitions are being set high for the club by their new skipper, who was last in charge of the first team in 2007, with Hooper saying the aim is to win every game.

Speaking to the Packet, the 48-year-old added he was over the moon to be captain once again.

Hooper said: “In cricket, I expect to win everything I’m involved in and the best way of doing that is working as a team to get the result.

“Becoming captain again feels great and for me it is like a homecoming.

“It is amazing to be back here and I have always been proud of being Falmouth’s captain before and to get the chance to do it again at this stage in my life is wonderful.”

He went onto say the work with the academy has already started and Hooper believes this role for him will be just as important.

“Coaching is what I do and what I enjoy doing the most in cricket,” he said.

“The way I see things is I have two roles here, one as club captain which means I have to provide leadership on the pitch.

“My other job is to be a coach for the whole club and develop players of all ages playing here and show leadership off the field.

“It is an exciting time and I believe with Callum and Liam joining as coaches, we have a great set-up.”

Also at the AGM, Life memberships were given to former chairman Mike Toy, Sean Turner, Mike Hoban and Alan Martin.