Interim chief executive Nigel Walker described the vote as the “beginning of a journey” to bring “trust and faith” back to Welsh Rugby; the Welsh Rugby Union will now appoint an independent non-executive director as chair
Last Updated: 26/03/23 5:57pm
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Geraint Hughes explains how Welsh rugby will change after the WRU member clubs voted overwhelmingly in favour of major governance reforms
Geraint Hughes explains how Welsh rugby will change after the WRU member clubs voted overwhelmingly in favour of major governance reforms
Welsh Rugby Union member clubs voted overwhelmingly in favour of major governance reforms at an extraordinary general meeting on Sunday.
Of the 252 votes cast either at the Princess Royal Theatre in Port Talbot or by proxy, only seven did not vote in favour, meaning the 75 per cent majority needed was comfortably exceeded.
The WRU will now appoint an independent non-executive director (INED) as chair and recruit two further new INEDs to its 12-person board, doubling the total number of independent representatives to six, with the overall aspiration to ensure at least five directors are women.
Interim chief executive Nigel Walker said: “This is just the beginning of a journey which will see the trust and faith of a nation in Welsh rugby restored and revitalised.”
The meeting was chaired by WRU president Gerald Davies who called it ‘quorate’ well ahead of an 11am start, with the 95-attendee threshold (to make any vote valid) also easily met.
The EGM also heard from WRU chair Ieuan Evans, chair of the WRU’s community game board John Manders and Walker, with company secretary Rhodri Lewis overseeing proceedin …