COVID-19 forces WRU EGM to be postponed as Council members confirmed

WRU

The EGM called upon by 34 member clubs of the WRU has been forced into postponement by COVID-19. The meeting was to determine the outcome of the audit system, the way in which clubs gain their funding. 

The WRU National Council members standing for the vacant slot have also been confirmed.

WRU forced to postpone EGM

The EGM, which was due later this month, has been suspended following governmental guidance over public gatherings.

The requisition, raised in February and signed by 34 clubs, triggered the EGM which was since called for 29th March.

The ’audit’ is a points-based system through which the WRU allocates £1.8m of the £2.8m direct funding received by clubs in Wales. The criteria are reviewed annually to ensure clubs are encouraged to embrace the WRU community game strategy and can lead to different funds being allocated to individual clubs year on year, although the total money issued across all clubs is ringfenced and cannot decrease.

WRU
Bridgend Ravens have signed the requisition. (Photo Credit : Mike Jones / Replay Images)

A letter to the clubs read;

“You will no doubt be aware of the recent change in Government advice regarding the Coronavirus situation and the guidance now to avoid any ‘non-essential’ contact.

“As such – and given that this is a rapidly changing exceptional situation – we have no alternative other than to postpone the Extraordinary General Meeting that was scheduled for 29 March 2020 until further notice.


“In light of the current Government advice, it would be inappropriate to hold a meeting with a large number of attendees at this time.”

National Council slot to be filled

Mark Taylor’s replacement is being lined up as one of former Wales internationals Ieuan Evans, Nigel Davies or and the Old Illtydians chairman John Manders.

Evans is the former Wales and British & Irish Lions and Scarlets wing who has 79 international caps, captained his country 28-times and has more recently worked as a television pundit for Sky, BBC and ITV whilst also holding Board positions with the likes of Welsh Tourist Board and VisitBritain.

Davies is also a former Wales and Scarlets player, with 29 caps, who went on to coach both the region and his country. He is currently chief executive at Merthyr and is a former head coach at Ebbw Vale but has also worked for the WRU’s rugby department and served as director of rugby at Gloucester.

Manders is a stalwart of Old Illtydians rugby club serving multiple roles including chairman and team manager who has been described as the “heartbeat of the club” and is a former sergeant with South Wales Police. After retiring from the Police service he has continued to work as an assessor, lectures in law at the University of South Wales, is also artistic director at Tickledom Theatrical Productions and a director of learning at Credwch Ltd.

Clubs will soon receive their ballot papers with voting closing on April 30.

 

“Main photo credit”

WRU
WRU have been forced into cancelling the EGM. Credit @Rreesrugby.