National One clubs call for governance review and reform of RFU
Sedgley Park and Blackheath are two of 12 clubs who have signed an open letter
©Glenn Hutton
Clubs from National One have come together to put further pressure on the governance, setup and management of rugby in England.
In an open letter, 12 of the 14 third-tier clubs [the other two being Birmingham Moseley and Bishop's Stortford] have slammed "major failures in governance and leadership" and a "lack of accountability" ahead of an emergency meeting of the Rugby Football Union (RFU) Council on Wednesday.
This action from National One sides comes after Championship and grassroots clubs called for a debate leading to a vote of no confidence in the leadership of the game's governing body.
Last month, the RFU announced a record operating loss of nearly £40m, but CEO Bill Sweeney earned £1.1m after being awarded a bonus of £358,000 at a time when the union is making more than 40 people redundant.
"The undersigned 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," reads the open letter from National One clubs.
"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.
"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."
The letter is signed by 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.
