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WRU Governance Reform - 17-3

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NobbySosban View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote NobbySosban Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: WRU Governance Reform - 17-3
    Posted: 01 May 2018 at 5:23pm
The long-overdue overhaul of the WRU Board structure, with a slimmed down main board of 10 or 12 (rather than the current 20) and separate steering boards for the Community and Professional game, was almost unanimously approved by club activists during a pre-Christmas roadshow undertaken by Gareth Davies and Martyn Phillips.

In 2 regional meetings, 100% voted in favour; at a third it was 93%; and the North Wales meeting had to be cancelled due to bad weather, but a similar result was expected.

Yet, of the 20 Board members, 3 have voted against the change, despite the overwhelming wishes of the Clubs in the Districts they represent. Wacko

Without unanimous approval by the Board, there's a chance that the Clubs may not carry through WGD's proposals when they meet to vote later this year. For the good of the game in Wales, at Community and Professional level, this needs to go through.



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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote KID A Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 May 2018 at 6:03pm
Good stuff Nobby.

I agree with virtually everything said. This bit though, is a tad optimistic:

Quote one would hope that dedicated, conscientious individuals, who have poured their heart and soul into the game they love over many decades, would have the sense of responsibility to step out of the way when required, to help create a legacy fit for future generations


You allude to the fact that they "may feel entitled to their status, and want to maintain it as long as possible, even to the detriment of the sport". And that's the big stumbling block. I hope they see sense.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote Wil Chips Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 May 2018 at 8:11pm
Sorry to be a pessimist but I see limited scope for unanimity.

It’s nice gravy.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote NobbySosban Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 02 May 2018 at 9:44am
Thing is, the 3 don't really want it known that they voted against - they'd be mortified if their Clubs found out that they were blocking the road to a Community Game Board... Shocked


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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote ap sior Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 02 May 2018 at 9:58am
Well if they are not reflecting the wishes of their members they should get out !

Was it a secret ballot ? Is there a way of forcing the issue so that they show their hand ?



Edited by ap sior - 02 May 2018 at 10:02am
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote NobbySosban Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 02 May 2018 at 10:23am
Originally posted by ap sior ap sior wrote:

Well if they are not reflecting the wishes of their members they should get out !

Was it a secret ballot ? Is there a way of forcing the issue so that they show their hand ?

Wink
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote NobbySosban Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 02 May 2018 at 10:27am
With the other items that were discussed and released from the latest Board meeting, the '17-3' got missed by media (or ignored by editors, in some cases), so although the vote wasn't secret, it simply wasn't reported.

The other Board members will know, so it'll be interesting how they react internally, especially as some of them were as reluctant as turkeys voting for Christmas but were persuaded by GD that this was the best way.


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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote ap sior Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 02 May 2018 at 10:36am
As Wil has stated, 'gravy train' !

Perhaps if the perks of the job were taken away then attitudes may change !

Out of pocket expenses for attending Board meetings is fine, but are there any other 'fringe' benefits ? If so what are they ? How much are the fringe benefits costing the Union ?

Why not publish a list of everyone's expenses claims and fringe benefits ? If transparency is a problem for some then let's make the whole process transparent !

They are there to serve the game not themselves !

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote reesytheexile Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 02 May 2018 at 10:41am
Originally posted by ap sior ap sior wrote:

As Wil has stated, 'gravy train' !

Perhaps if the perks of the job were taken away then attitudes may change !

Out of pocket expenses for attending Board meetings is fine, but are there any other 'fringe' benefits ? If so what are they ? How much are the fringe benefits costing the Union ?

Why not publish a list of everyone's expenses claims and fringe benefits ? If transparency is a problem for some then let's make the whole process transparent !

They are there to serve the game not themselves !


Good points! ( mind you as you know the wages and expenses for those lazy loafers on Crys16 is pretty high !!!!!   😉)
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Wil Chips Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 02 May 2018 at 11:12am
To add a little more positivity, I genuinely don't think this will get to the end game this time, but not doubt it's the beginning of the end.

There are far too many intellectuals with the best interests of rugby at heart in play for the blockers to have longevity.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote NobbySosban Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 10 May 2018 at 1:09pm
Updated blog on the WRU Reforms...

I have learned that the 3 Board members who voted against Gareth Davies & Martyn Phillips's proposed changes are:
Alan Jones - District D, home club Bryncoch RFC
Anthony John - District G, home club Kidwelly RFC
Gordon Eynon - District H, home club Rygbi Crymych

Link below, please share widely, particularly with Clubs in Districts D, G and H - I really want to know whether they know that their 3 District Reps have voted against vital WRU reforms that the Clubs desperately need to separate and ring-fence the Community game in Wales, despite Clubs having almost unanimously approved the change before Christmas.

Kidwelly & Crymych are clearly uncomfortable about their associations with their Clubmen, but I really want to see the reaction from Clubs within these guys' Districts. I suspect they do not know how their Rep has voted, and it illustrates the disconnect between the hard-working volunteers at the Clubs (those that graft away to make the magic happen despite their challenges) and their Reps, which, ironically, these reforms seek to address.

To be clear, all Reps & Board members have put a huge amount of their time and energy into Welsh rugby over many years, but it's now about recognising that change is desperately needed in order to protect and re-energise their Clubs, and implement a structure that's fit for the present, let alone the future. They all need to make it happen or, if they cannot contribute, they must step aside.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote aber-fan Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 10 May 2018 at 2:09pm
I've come a bit late to this debate...

Is it really the case that the vote needs to be unanimous for the reforms to proceed? If so, the only way forward will be for the districts to replace their representatives...

If not, 17-3 is a healthy majority for reform, and in any case I hope that in future such a majority would suffice without the need for unanimity.

No doubt, the reps have given of their best to Welsh rugby, and may feel justified in expecting some sort of benefit from their hard work... but let's hope that all can agree to move the game forward to a system better suited to the 21st century.
“You cannot reason a man out of what he never reasoned himself into.” (Jonathan Swift)
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote NobbySosban Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 10 May 2018 at 2:39pm
The vote of the ~320 Clubs will decide the outcome (75%+ needed to carry the motion), but WGD wants a unified Board in order to send the message back to the Clubs that the reforms must happen, lest any of them waver on the day of the vote.

The reasons why these 3 voted against is a mystery, especially as the WRU roadshow of Club activists generated a near-unanimous vote (100% in 2 regions, 93% in 3rd, 4th was cancelled due to bad weather).

These 3 Board members really need to explain their motives to the Clubs in the Districts they represent, but it doesn't appear that many of these Clubs were aware that their Reps voted against the changes they'd all agreed to. I'm trying to ensure they're aware so that they get the chance to ask their Rep why he voted the way he did, not to embarrass them Embarrassed but to make sure that they have the answers.

Under the new structure, there'll be 8-10 fewer Board members, and they will need to have the right qualities and experience to do the job in a more commercially-minded environment. That has to be good for Welsh rugby, but these 3 appear to disagree, and at the moment I can only assume they feel they'd have no part in that environment, but I'd love to know.


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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote aber-fan Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 10 May 2018 at 4:13pm
Thanks for the clarification.
“You cannot reason a man out of what he never reasoned himself into.” (Jonathan Swift)
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote NobbySosban Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17 May 2018 at 1:13pm
A bit more insight from within the WRU Board as to the 'blockage' to much needed reform for Community and Professional games, updated blog below - please share away!



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