12 of the 14 clubs in England’s National League One (the third tier of English rugby) have called for a full-scale ‘root and branch review’ of the way the sport is run in England.
The scathing letter, which describes ‘major failures in governance and leadership’, comes after RFU Chair Bill Sweeny received a hefty bonus of £358,000, taking his salary up to £1.1 million for 2024 – despite another bleak year for the game in England.
The bonus also comes after the RFU recorded an annual loss of £40 million and 40 members of staff were made redundant from the governing body.
English clubs lash out at RFU in scathing open letter
It is also the latest in a long line of public statements issued by clubs within the English game. Championship clubs – who have also seen their central funding dramatically cut in recent years – have called for a vote of no confidence in Sweeney, and grassroots clubs around the country have also aired their anger following the bonuses scandal.
“Clubs of National League 1 Rugby are collectively calling for a root and branch review, independent of the current RFU Council, Board and Executive, into the governance, setup and management of Rugby in England,” the letter read.
“Given the current state of the game and substantial challenges facing the sport we love, the National League 1 Clubs believe there needs to be a wide-reaching review of how Rugby is organised in England including understanding whether the governance of the National side and Professional game needs to be fully split from the Semi-Pro and Amateur game.
“We believe recent events have shown change is required and there have been major failures in governance and leadership. The RFU Council and Board are complicit both in the lack of accountability and governance the member clubs expect them to exercise, and, alongside the RFU leadership, in the lack of clarity and strategy for the development of Rugby in England.”
It added: “We note there will be an emergency meeting of the RFU Council on 18th December. We call upon the members of the RFU Council to use this as an opportunity to instigate an independent review of the management of Rugby in England.”
“The National League 1 Clubs will act individually when it comes to arguing for or voting on any no-confidence motions that might arise either at that meeting or at any subsequent SGM of the RFU.”
Blackheath FC, Darlington Mowden Park RFC, Dings Crusaders RFC, Esher RFC, Leicester Lions RFC, Plymouth Albion RFC, Rams RFC, Richmond FC, Rosslyn Park FC, Rotherham Titans RUFC, Sale FC and Sedgley Park RUFC all signed the letter.
RFU post losses of £40 million
The RFU have posted significant losses of £40 million this year, but Chair Sweeney said the governing body were ‘prepared’ for these losses, which he puts down to the World Cup.
“The RFU has planned well for this year, the fourth year in our business planning cycle, which is always a loss-making due to increased costs associated with going to the Rugby World Cup and as a result of hosting fewer games at Allianz Stadium,” he said in a statement.
“Emerging from post-covid challenges, which saw significant lost revenues, substantial increases in costs and inflation, and a drop in player participation, we are now entering into a period of significant transformation with a great deal to be positive about.
“In the community game player numbers have stabilised, with more teams playing in RFU leagues and players reporting feeling safer as a result of a reduction in the tackle height. We have seen a year-on-year increase in age-grade player registrations with boys registrations increasing by 16% and girls by 10%. Our Community Game Future project has now planned our first multiyear community game investment of £30m a year against a prioritised roadmap.”
As a result, there has been growing anger across the English game, including three former RFU Chairs calling for his sacking.
Src: Planetrugby.com - https://www.planetrugby.com/news/english-clubs-call-for-root-and-branch-review-in-scathing-open-letter-to-rfu-bosses-after-bonuses-scandal
