WRU Governance Reform - 17-3 |
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NobbySosban
Veteran Joined: 30 June 2010 Location: Sir Berk Status: Offline Points: 6278 |
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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. 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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KID A
Moderator Group Joined: 16 August 2004 Location: Cardiff Status: Offline Points: 27572 |
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Good stuff Nobby.
I agree with virtually everything said. This bit though, is a tad optimistic:
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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Wil Chips
Rambler Joined: 23 August 2009 Location: Pembs Status: Online Points: 50981 |
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Sorry to be a pessimist but I see limited scope for unanimity.
It’s nice gravy. |
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NobbySosban
Veteran Joined: 30 June 2010 Location: Sir Berk Status: Offline Points: 6278 |
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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...
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ap sior
Veteran Joined: 08 May 2005 Location: Wales Status: Online Points: 11410 |
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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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NobbySosban
Veteran Joined: 30 June 2010 Location: Sir Berk Status: Offline Points: 6278 |
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NobbySosban
Veteran Joined: 30 June 2010 Location: Sir Berk Status: Offline Points: 6278 |
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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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ap sior
Veteran Joined: 08 May 2005 Location: Wales Status: Online Points: 11410 |
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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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reesytheexile
Veteran Joined: 11 August 2012 Location: Machynys Status: Offline Points: 17530 |
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Good points! ( mind you as you know the wages and expenses for those lazy loafers on Crys16 is pretty high !!!!! 😉) |
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Wil Chips
Rambler Joined: 23 August 2009 Location: Pembs Status: Online Points: 50981 |
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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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NobbySosban
Veteran Joined: 30 June 2010 Location: Sir Berk Status: Offline Points: 6278 |
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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:
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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aber-fan
Veteran Joined: 25 October 2004 Location: Wales Status: Offline Points: 18857 |
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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.
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“You cannot reason a man out of what he never reasoned himself into.” (Jonathan Swift)
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NobbySosban
Veteran Joined: 30 June 2010 Location: Sir Berk Status: Offline Points: 6278 |
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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 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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aber-fan
Veteran Joined: 25 October 2004 Location: Wales Status: Offline Points: 18857 |
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Thanks for the clarification.
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“You cannot reason a man out of what he never reasoned himself into.” (Jonathan Swift)
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NobbySosban
Veteran Joined: 30 June 2010 Location: Sir Berk Status: Offline Points: 6278 |
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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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