Saturday's EP Rugby annual meeting is expected to be the most fiery in the union’s history with disgruntled clubs demanding that president Cheeky Watson and his leadership step aside because of poor governance.
Speaking on the condition of anonymity a senior club official said there was growing unhappiness among clubs.
“I will compromise my club if I give you my name. I expect the EP leadership will be asked to stand down for bringing the game into disrepute based on poor performance and poor leadership,” the official said.
A cash crisis at the union and the South African Rugby Union (Saru) decision to take over the ailing Southern Kings has left clubs unhappy and has ensured that the meeting at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium will be an explosive affair.
EP Rugby and clubs are keeping their cards close to their chest ahead of a meeting where delegates are expected a deliver a vote of no-confidence in Watson. At this stage it is not clear whether a notice of no-confidence will be made ahead of the meeting or from the floor.
Last year, after a bitter election battle, Watson won a landslide victory, winning 219 votes compared to the 20 won by rival Eben Coltman.
“My view is that the vote can be done from the floor at the meeting, although I know what the constitution stipulates,” the official said.
“What do you do if the current leadership are in conflict with the constitution. From where I am standing the AGM is a continuation of the 2014 meeting because that AGM was never concluded.
“Saturday’s meeting is the reconvening of last year’s annual meeting because they left everything in abeyance to move onto the elections.
“That was done with the understanding that all the issues, including financials, would be dealt with in a special general meeting. They were never discussed or adopted as per the rules of the annual meeting. The leadership consciously did this and they were in breach of the constitution. They never upheld the constitution throughout the year.”
Clubs have every right to ask them to step down, failing which to formally lodge a vote of no-confidence and ask that the union, as was the case with the Southern Kings, be put under administration, he said.
“They can then come with a new date for elections when things can be sorted out. A lot needs to be done in EP Rugby.
“A vote of no-confidence can be filed 48 hours before the meeting. The only thing is that it says it should be endorsed by 20% of the total number of representatives. That is the only technicality. But I am also of the view it can be done from the floor on the day.
“I believe we can get that 20% representation because all clubs have felt the mismanagement of EP this year. The mood had changed since last meeting.”
Despite numerous requests, EP Rugby have failed to answer a query on whether a notice of no-confidence had been filed by any of the clubs.
Adding fuel to the fire is that former SA Rugby boss Brian van Rooyen has said he is willing to take over as president if the clubs want him.
Asked about the possibility of a vote of no-confidence in his leadership at Saturday’s meeting, Watson reacted strongly, saying: “I am not holding on to this with all my life.
“If someone wants to step in and take over the reins – by all means. This is not life and death to me.”
Watson made it clear that he would happily step aside if there was someone who could do a better job than him.
Cheeky faces fiery time at EP meeting
Speaking on the condition of anonymity a senior club official said there was growing unhappiness among clubs.
“I will compromise my club if I give you my name. I expect the EP leadership will be asked to stand down for bringing the game into disrepute based on poor performance and poor leadership,” the official said.
A cash crisis at the union and the South African Rugby Union (Saru) decision to take over the ailing Southern Kings has left clubs unhappy and has ensured that the meeting at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium will be an explosive affair.
EP Rugby and clubs are keeping their cards close to their chest ahead of a meeting where delegates are expected a deliver a vote of no-confidence in Watson. At this stage it is not clear whether a notice of no-confidence will be made ahead of the meeting or from the floor.
Last year, after a bitter election battle, Watson won a landslide victory, winning 219 votes compared to the 20 won by rival Eben Coltman.
“My view is that the vote can be done from the floor at the meeting, although I know what the constitution stipulates,” the official said.
“What do you do if the current leadership are in conflict with the constitution. From where I am standing the AGM is a continuation of the 2014 meeting because that AGM was never concluded.
“Saturday’s meeting is the reconvening of last year’s annual meeting because they left everything in abeyance to move onto the elections.
“That was done with the understanding that all the issues, including financials, would be dealt with in a special general meeting. They were never discussed or adopted as per the rules of the annual meeting. The leadership consciously did this and they were in breach of the constitution. They never upheld the constitution throughout the year.”
Clubs have every right to ask them to step down, failing which to formally lodge a vote of no-confidence and ask that the union, as was the case with the Southern Kings, be put under administration, he said.
“They can then come with a new date for elections when things can be sorted out. A lot needs to be done in EP Rugby.
“A vote of no-confidence can be filed 48 hours before the meeting. The only thing is that it says it should be endorsed by 20% of the total number of representatives. That is the only technicality. But I am also of the view it can be done from the floor on the day.
“I believe we can get that 20% representation because all clubs have felt the mismanagement of EP this year. The mood had changed since last meeting.”
Despite numerous requests, EP Rugby have failed to answer a query on whether a notice of no-confidence had been filed by any of the clubs.
Adding fuel to the fire is that former SA Rugby boss Brian van Rooyen has said he is willing to take over as president if the clubs want him.
Asked about the possibility of a vote of no-confidence in his leadership at Saturday’s meeting, Watson reacted strongly, saying: “I am not holding on to this with all my life.
“If someone wants to step in and take over the reins – by all means. This is not life and death to me.”
Watson made it clear that he would happily step aside if there was someone who could do a better job than him.
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