CHAMPIONSHIP clubs, including Coventry Rugby, have come together to demand a debate on a vote of no confidence in key Rugby Football Union (RFU) board members.
All 12 second tier clubs have asked RFU president, Rob Udwin, to convene a Special General Meeting to consider a vote of no confidence in RFU chairman Tom Ilube and chief executive Bill Sweeney.
The league’s 12 clubs hope a vote of no confidence will allow the first steps of ‘fundamental change’ to take place following ‘unaccountable decision making’ by the RFU.
The statement reads: “The leaders of the 12 Championship clubs have asked the President of the RFU to convene a Special General Meeting of the union and to hold a debate on a vote of no confidence in the Chairman of the RFU Board of Directors, Tom Ilube and in the Chief Executive Officer of the RFU, Bill Sweeney.
“The decision to send the letter to the President was taken following a vote at a meeting of club chairs on December 5 in which all 12 clubs were represented.
“In the letter, the clubs stated that they could no longer stand by and allow the current situation and the unaccountable decision making that led to it, to continue without challenge.
“They said that they would be urging all other clubs and members of the union to support their call for an SGM and a vote of no confidence, so that the first steps to fundamental change could be taken.
“The clubs will act individually when it comes to arguing for or voting on any no-confidence motions that might arise at an SGM, but acted collectively in their call to hold that meeting.”
Clubs decided to release a joint statement after the RFU’s annual report revealed Sweeney received a bonus of £358,000 despite the organisation posting a record operating loss of £37.9 million.
It also comes after the RFU made 42 members of staff redundant in September in an attempt to stem ‘unsustainable’ losses.
In a statement responding to a call for a vote of no confidence, the RFU said: “The RFU ends this latest four-year cycle with a strong balance sheet, no debt, a robust cash position and positive P&L reserves.
“We always see losses in a Rugby World Cup year due to fewer home games and increased costs associated with attending the RWC. These revenue impacts were anticipated, planned for and are in line with expectations.
“The RFU has continued to invest strategically in the game at all levels and for the last two years the RFU have been working hard to develop a redesigned Championship with the aim of developing a whole game solution to support the development of England Rugby.
“The objective has been to create a second tier that supports the English rugby system by developing young English talent, whilst supporting the clubs to become financially sustainable by growing local audiences, improving standards, and increasing the value of the league.
“Significant research has been undertaken and external independent advice sought to underpin the strategy. Minimum standards have been proposed along with increased RFU funding and a mechanic for promotion and relegation with tiered capacities for entry into the Premiership and a governance structure to give greater self-determination.”
Ampthill, Bedford Blues, Caldy, Cambridge, Chinnor, Cornish Pirates, Coventry, Doncaster, Ealing Trailfinders, Hartpury, London Scottish and Nottingham are the clubs who currently make up the Championship.
