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Telegraph
a day ago
- Business
- Telegraph
English rugby braces for pivotal vote that will decide its future
On Saturday, the British and Irish Lions make their bow on Australian soil while England settle in Buenos Aires ahead of a Test series against Argentina that begins the following weekend. But back in Birmingham, away from the spotlight, is a potentially pivotal day for the future of rugby union in this country. There, at the Rugby Football Union's annual general meeting, members will vote on a set of proposals designed to address the unrest that resulted in a special general meeting three months ago. Bill Sweeney, the chief executive, survived a vote of no-confidence in March, but the same summit delivered a strong mandate to expedite governance reform. The Whole Game Union, a body spearheaded by Alistair Bow, from Nottingham RFC, and Paddy McAlpine, of Chichester RFC, has tabled 11 resolutions in an effort to secure meaningful change and requires 66 per cent approval for them to be passed. What changes are being proposed? The resolutions include a desire for the council to be able to approve the union's annual strategic plan, as well as its budget and business plan. The thorny issue of directors' pay, which sparked outrage across the game, would be addressed with the implementation of a published 'people and pay policy', which members could comment on and influence. As a whole, the Whole Game Union's mission statement is to 'put members back at the heart of major decisions' and 'restore strategic control' to an elected council. A letter to members, seen by Telegraph Sport, lists six reasons why reform has become essential, including the removal of development officers on the ground and reduced investment, in real terms, into the community game. What does it mean for the grass-roots game? At the heart of this campaign is the belief that the RFU executive and board have neglected amateur clubs in favour of a focus on the elite game. It is felt, for example, that £33 million per year was committed to Premiership clubs 'without meaningful consultation with members'. Jeff Blackett, who served as RFU president between 2020 and 2022, has been an adviser to the Whole Game Union and backs the proposals. 'The difficultly is that the game has been struggling to become professional since 1995 and the governance structure has not really caught up to where we are today,' he said this week. 'The professional game and the grass-roots game are two different beasts and it is very difficult to have one organisation in charge of all of it. Our concern is that the senior executive and the board have only concentrated on the elite game. The community game is dying on its feet, unfortunately; numbers are down, clubs are down and fixtures aren't fulfilled. 'It's a watershed moment and these proposals are meant to redress the balance, to put some of the power back into the council, acknowledging that the council has to be reformed itself to be more accountable to its membership, so that the big decisions can be scrutinised properly.' How could it affect the RFU council? The RFU council has been branded as bloated and archaic, with Blackett describing the 2016 Sport England governance code as a 'final nail in the coffin' that reduced its power. An independent review recently labelled it as 'dysfunctional' and advised that it should be scrapped entirely. However, the Whole Game Union argues that this consultation document 'lacks transparency and ambition' and would only create a system 'where members will have less ability to scrutinise the executive and the board'. 'One of the criticisms of the council is that too many of its members are people who have done great jobs for CBs [constituent boards] and are effectively given a reward of going up to Twickenham and having nice seats to enjoy their latter years in rugby,' Blackett added. 'There are people like that, but there are also many good people. The Whole Game Union would have council more accountable to the game. One of the resolutions is for the nominations committee to write a report on each council member that will go back to their constituents. They also want to make the council smaller, because it's difficult to have meaningful debate with 60-odd people in a room, and make it so members feel an attachment to those council members. 'What we're trying to do is to restore democracy. The friction comes because it is also a multimillion-pound business and the board also has to have the ability to run that. We've got to get the balance right.' Could this impact rugby's funding? The Whole Game Union has also addressed the RFU board's criticisms of the resolutions. It disputes, for instance, that reform would cause Sport England to remove funding from the RFU and decline to support the hosting of international tournaments such as World Cups. Blackett suggested that the image of the Whole Game Union as disruptive upstarts is grossly unfair. 'The RFU position is that they're a bunch of rebels and malcontents,' he said. 'They're not. They are people with a genuine interest in making rugby a great sport again and none of them are in it for personal gain.' His endgame would be for the RFU board to oversee both the professional and grass-roots game: 'The way I see it is that the board would delegate a good chunk of money to both and effectively urge them to manage it in accordance with business plans they have put forward. 'I do think it's important that the whole game stays together. And the professional game is the Premiership and the Championship. I think there has been real, valid criticism that the Championship has not been properly supported by the RFU and that needs to be put right as well.' Voting has been open for a fortnight or so, meaning many members will have made up their minds. Blackett would urge any stragglers to give themselves an opportunity to lend their voice to a critical debate. 'The RFU is a members cooperative and every member should have a voice on major issues,' he said. 'The trouble in the past with AGMs is that fewer and fewer people have turned up and things go through without proper scrutiny. 'It's absolutely vital that members look at the merits of this and vote. And, of course, I would urge them to vote for the resolutions that will ensure the future of our game.'
Telegraph
01-05-2025
- Politics
- Telegraph
In move to modernise English rugby, RFU has poked the bear
Nothing, it seems, is certain except death, taxes, and an RFU revolt. The guns may still be only cooling from the last confrontation, the special general meeting held at the end of March with the aim of forcing out the governing body's chief executive, Bill Sweeney. Sweeney prevailed, yet it seems that hopes of a permanent peace remain faint, judging by the reaction to the Rugby Football Union's revelation on Wednesday of radical proposals to overhaul the organisation's governance, including axing of its 63-strong council. The RFU was quick to insist that the review had been led by an independent group set up by the council, and the board and executive, including Sweeney, had not been involved 'apart from being part of general consultation so far in some cases'. It is also true that the 'Governance and Representation Review' was not a result of the SGM but had been ongoing since September 2023. Yet the perception of a land grab to dismantle the body that has harboured fierce critics of both Sweeney and the board – a revolt before Christmas culminated in the resignation of former chairman Tom Ilube over the bonus scandal – did not take long to take root. The fact that the RFU only released the papers to the council via a Zoom call at noon was interpreted as an indication of the lack of trust and an alarming sign of dysfunctionality between the executive and the council. 'These proposals are a blatant attempt to reduce the influence of members and scrutiny of the board and executive,' said one source. 'It is like the government trying to abolish parliament.' Within hours, the Whole Game Union, the organisation representing around 250 clubs that led the call for the SGM in March, had been sparked back to life, issuing a statement that while the role and composition of the council was 'sorely in need of reform ... the proposals would reduce the scrutiny of the Board and executive, two bodies that have brought the RFU to its knees'. The phoney peace looks to be over, at least for another few months until the RFU's annual general meeting on June 30. A counter proposal to the RFU's plan, which has been signed by Chichester RFC and Nottingham RFC, has already been lodged and calls for 11 rule changes to make council members more accountable but also calling for key decisions, such as the RFU's strategic plan, to be approved by the council, not just the board. 'The objective is to ensure that members regain a meaningful role in shaping the union's strategic direction and provides a platform that enables the RFU to be restructured into a well-led, well-governed, and high-performing National Governing Body (NGB) that serves the needs of all its members,' the letter states. The RFU proposal in contrast wants to replace the council with 'a smaller national advisory group' or replacing those members with game representatives who would be embedded within all the decision-making bodies, 'including in suggested regional growth boards'. It has now begun a nationwide consultation 'seeking views from across the rugby community'. Proposals also include 'accelerating ideas to develop a genuinely devolved regional system so those in the game can feel closer to and can influence the decisions which impact them directly'. Emboldened by the feedback from the roadshows held in the run-up to the SGM, and by winning a second vote promising a governance review, including devolution of powers to the regions, by an 80 per cent majority, the RFU clearly see this as a moment to press ahead with a new structure. But the concern is that by being too radical, it has merely poked the bear. The WGU, in reaction to the vote at the SGM, said that it would hold off calling another one only if the RFU delivered reform. With two governance proposals now set to go to a vote of the clubs in June, the concern for the RFU is that it will not meet the 66 per cent threshold needed for its proposal to be accepted. And that is before the issue is addressed of council members voting like turkeys for Christmas. Those with long memories will know that we have been here before, several times. The last major revolt at the top of the RFU in 2011 resulted in a review, carried out by Slaughter and May, that proposed reducing the council to just 25 members. That even had the support of the then sports minister, Hugh Robertson, but was ultimately kicked into the long grass. The hope must be that a way forward can be settled upon, for what is certain is that the status quo cannot remain, something at least the two parties agree on. The game is still hurting from the traumatic months that followed the disclosure of the RFU's annual report last November revealing the extent of the largesse of salaries and bonuses. It cannot afford another public squabble. What is also clear is that those who see the dismantling of the council as a move that will strengthen Sweeney's hand are misplaced. The wounds from the last battle revolt are still too fresh.
The Guardian
28-03-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
RFU rebels demand significant changes after Sweeney survives confidence vote
The rebel clubs who called for Bill Sweeney's resignation as chief executive of the Rugby Football Union say they want to see significant changes to the way the union operates within the next three months despite failing to win sufficient support for their motion of no confidence at Thursday's special general meeting (SGM). Alistair Bow, chair of Nottingham and co-chair of the Whole Game Union who forced the SGM, said the clubs now expect to see words put into action after Sweeney survived the vote on a turnout of just 54% of the membership. The Whole Game Union has already tabled 11 proposals for further governance changes before the union's annual general meeting (AGM) on Monday 30 June. 'We have got the AGM coming up and we have to see fundamental change,' said Bow, who is now waiting to see whether Sweeney is prepared to work alongside those who sought to oust him. 'I think we will see over the next two or three days how he takes this. But this is a democratic vote at the end of the day, which we will take on board, and now we want to see action. 'I think he is either going to work with us or he won't. I am hoping he will. We'll work with his team and we have got to change. What we will not allow is for this to continue. We have got the AGM coming up and we have to see fundamental change.' The proposed rule changes involve more oversight over executive decisions, increased transparency, more attention to be paid to member clubs' views and greater accountability for RFU board members. Bow has already flagged the need for more direction and better leadership and hopes Sweeney will now respond accordingly. 'If he does deliver, then fantastic. But he's got a lot of work to do, as we have. The AGM will be the test now. Can we get the reforms through to change the structure and governance we need for the future? If we work together then we stand a chance. 'We want to see our proposal adopted. There are 11 points that we've already put forward on the agenda. We want those to be put through the AGM and voted on to bring reform, governance and accountability back to our game. We want members to get back some control of major decision-making within the game.' Paddy McAlpine, chair of Chichester RFC, also said he hoped the SGM had served a useful purpose. 'I walk away absolutely encouraged that the RFU have listened and therefore positive change is going to happen. And that has to be good for the whole game. It's not just about England at Twickenham, it's about all rugby all the way down to the five-year-old who wants to be a part of an England team that's winning.'
BBC News
26-03-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
'Rancour & disruption'- Beaumont warns against rebel vote
The Rugby Football Union would slide into months of "rancour and disruption" should a rebel motion to oust chief executive Bill Sweeney pass on Thursday, interim chair Bill Beaumont has warned.A collective of clubs, led by those in the second-tier Championship, have forced a referendum on Sweeney's claim the organisation has lost touch with the grassroots game, highlighting Sweeney's salary, which has increased significantly thanks to a pay rise and a bonus scheme at a time of record RFU RFU has tabled a rival motion, which promises to decentralise decision-making and rebuild regional support and funding for England captain Beaumont accused those trying to depose Sweeney of running a campaign that had been, at times, "deeply regrettable, with demonstrably misleading claims, particularly around the game's finances"."All of this playing out publicly has detracted from so many of the brilliant things happening in English rugby: from the incredible work of the volunteers running our grassroots game, to the strong men's Six Nations showing and now the focus on our Red Roses as they build to a home World Cup," he the Whole Game Union, which has co-ordinated the rebellion, placed the blame for the upheaval on RFU executives."The rancour and disruption to the game has only been caused by their intransigence and unwillingness to listen to and hear the issues raised over several years by participants, member clubs and referees' societies," it said."This vote for change is asking the board to remove our CEO through a managed process." It also revealed that it has proposed changes to the RFU's structure to give the organisation's wider membership, which consists of 1,200 clubs and stakeholders, more control over major decisions and changes will be voted on at the RFU's annual general meeting in the summer, where they would need a 66% majority to they pass, the RFU's remodelled structure would be contrary to standards set by funding bodies Sport England and UK Sport which support rugby union and the staging of major over that money "should not override the need to do what is right for the Union and its members" added the Whole Game Union.
BBC News
13-03-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Rebels warn of summer of discontent for RFU chiefs
The forthcoming vote on chief executive Bill Sweeney's future may only be the first in a series of moves to dismantle the Rugby Football Union's (RFU) hierarchy, say grassroots rebels.A motion to sack Sweeney "as soon as practicably possible" can be voted on by the RFU's 1,200 clubs and other stakeholders from Thursday, although the result will come after a summit meeting on 27 Paddy McAlpine, co-chair of the Whole Game Union group which coordinated the coup against Sweeney, believes English rugby union's civil war may not be settled by the outcome."There is a growing number of clubs saying that the leadership at the moment is not adequate for the game in England," McAlpine told BBC Sport."We are not going to go away. There will be another SGM [special general meeting], then another, and another one after that because what we want is continuous improvement and the opportunity to rebuild rugby in England - the governance, structure and funding - for the entire game. "Not just the Premiership, not just the Championship, not just the professional level, but all the way through to grassroots rugby."A 'summer of discontent' would play out against England's preparations to host the Women's Rugby World Cup which begins in August. The RFU has tabled a rival motion for March's SGM, encouraging clubs to back its own plans to devolve power to the local level chair Sir Bill Beaumont, along with Sweeney, has been touring the country in the past two months to gather support and has warned that a change of leadership risks "sending the Union into paralysis"., externalThe Whole Game Union failed in a late bid to include a third motion, calling for the removal of the RFU board, which has so far backed Sweeney and will ultimately decide whether to dismiss him, should a majority vote against the chief is also chairman of Sussex club Chichester, who play in level six of the English pyramid system. He says his club provides 40,000 hours of youth rugby to local children, but their efforts have been hindered by cutting the network of regional rugby development officers while bonuses have been paid to RFU executives."Clubs now understand they have a voice, because of what has happened in the last couple of months," he said. "Everyone is starting to understand that they just don't have to accept that is is really difficult at grassroots rugby to provide the sport and keep it going."The SGM was triggered after more than 100 clubs signed a petition to debate Sweeney's future. The mechanism is rarely used, with RFU members usually using the organisation's annual general meeting each summer to air RFU is hiring rugby development officers after job losses forced by the Covid-19 pandemic, with 90 staff "regionally deployed" and 40 of 100 planned school rugby manager posts and other RFU executives took voluntary pay cuts during the pandemic, and the bonus scheme put in place to retain them longer term was deemed "appropriate in light of the goals it sought to achieve" by an independent was paid a basic salary of £742,000 in the year up to June 2024, with his £358,000 bonus taking his total package to £1.1m.
