Welsh hold special meeting
2006-03-30 19:24
Cardiff - The Welsh Rugby Union, under
fire after the sudden departure of national coach Mike Ruddock,
bowed to pressure on Thursday and called a special general
meeting next month to address fans' concerns.
Ruddock, who coached Wales to the grand slam in 2005,
departed midway through this year's Six Nations tournament. The
union was also under attack for not replacing group chief
executive David Moffett when he resigned in December.
Several of the union's 245 member clubs have threatened to
call an extraordinary general meeting which could result in a
vote of no-confidence.
"Following a meeting of the WRU board of directors last
night it was decided that the Union should call a Special
General Meeting to debate the issues relating to the post of
group chief executive," chairperson David Pickering said.
"Concern has been expressed by the members. Following the
concerns the board of directors has decided to call an SGM
to debate the issue fully. This debate will bring the matter to
a head and a resolution will follow."
In a statement Pickering said the meeting, to be held at the
Millennium Stadium on April 23, would not prevent member clubs
from calling an extraordinary general meeting.
"This meeting in no way infringes or countermands the clubs'
rights to call for an EGM in their own right if they still wish
to," he said.