Earlier this week, London Scottish President Paul Burnell was the guest speaker at the Caledonian Club for one of their Number 9 Society lunches.
The Caledonian Club, on Halkin Street in Belgravia, is a very prestigious club with plenty of successful members in many different occupations. Paul joins some illustrious company in people who have spoken for the Number 9 Society including famous sporting personalities, current cabinet members and ambassadors.
Paul gave a brilliant speech as he reflected on the London Scottish 1st XV season. He gave a positive appraisal of their fortunes this season in the Greene King IPA Championship highlighting some of the key successes and momentous wins. Burnell also looked at the wider club and how the ‘One Club’ philosophy is really building at London Scottish and spoke of the pride he takes in seeing the whole Club progress, not just the 1st XV. He eluded to the successes of the Girls in their Cup competition, the ever-growing Mini & Junior sections and the outstanding first season for the newly-formed London Scottish Lions. As well as this current rugby season, Paul gave the guests a brief insight into the vision of London Scottish over the coming years and reiterated how proud he was to be the President of such a famous Club.
Paul also recounted some marvellous stories from his own personal experiences as a professional rugby player. Right from his earliest days when he broke through at Leicester Tigers to his time in France and some of the characters he played both with and against, as well as speaking of his British and Irish Lion caps.
The Number 9 Society is a monthly lunch function put on at the private members club for its members to come and enjoy an insightful talk by people from all facets of life including the worlds of politics, media, business, music, academia and sport. Members are given the opportunity to meet the speaker beforehand at a drinks reception before enjoying a fabulous lunch followed by the speech from the guest speaker. Attendees are then offered the chance to ask questions in a Q&A.
Paul was incredibly well received by all the guests in attendance at the Caledonian Club with many laughing at his stories about previous teammates and time playing rugby.
