It will be the moment of truth for cash-strapped EP Rugby Union when rugby bosses discuss a big-money rescue plan to bail out the troubled union at SA Rugby’s annual meeting in Cape Town on Friday.
Embattled EP Rugby boss Cheeky Watson is expected to attend the meeting when the rescue plan will be tabled before delegates in a special general meeting, also on Friday.
Sources say the rescue plan has been drawn up by SA Rugby vice president Mark Alexander and that it is expected that it will be supported by the majority of delegates.
If this 11th hour rescue plan fails and the more than R18-million owed to aggrieved players is not forthcoming by May 10, EP Rugby’s fall from grace could be further placed under the microscope.
Saru spokesman Andy Colquhoun said members had requested a special general meeting and they had asked for an update .
Even if the rescue plan is approved, Watson is still facing a vote of no confidence from disgruntled clubs who are unhappy with the way he and his leadership have performed.
Talks have been underway for the SA Rugby Union (Saru) to bail out the Eastern Province Rugby Union (EPRU) after the Port Elizabeth High Court placed the rugby union under provisional liquidation earlier this month.
Lawyer Craig Jessop, who represents 18 of the 36 aggrieved players, said after the ruling that if the money was not forthcoming, investigations would be held into how the rugby union had landed in the red.
Angry clubs say EP Rugby have so far ignored a request to convene a special general meeting.
The deadline for EP to respond to a request for the meeting by five clubs to hold a vote of no confidence is by close of business tomorrow.
“Enough is enough,” said Wayne Draghoender, chairperson of Booysens Pride RFC, one of the five clubs that submitted letters to EPRU requesting a special general meeting.
The five clubs who submitted a letter requesting the meeting were Bedford Cranes, Booysens Pride, Brumbies, Scorpions and Windvogel United.
“We are grateful to Bantwini Matika and his Rugby Transformation movement for opening our eyes to the shortfalls of this executive and we gained confidence from the fact that over 80% of clubs did not approve the financials of EPRU in the previous special general meeting, so as clubs we want this executive replaced immediately and an independent accountability process conducted on them by those equipped to do so,” said Draghoender.
“Saru was asked by clubs to take over EPRU administration. Clubs hope they will succeed in getting the EPRU executive to open the books of the Eastern Province Rugby Pty and Southern Kings that they refused to open to their constituency at the previous January AGM and special general meeting.”
EP Rugby did not reply to requests for comment.
Cash-strapped EP wait to hear rescue plan
Embattled EP Rugby boss Cheeky Watson is expected to attend the meeting when the rescue plan will be tabled before delegates in a special general meeting, also on Friday.
Sources say the rescue plan has been drawn up by SA Rugby vice president Mark Alexander and that it is expected that it will be supported by the majority of delegates.
If this 11th hour rescue plan fails and the more than R18-million owed to aggrieved players is not forthcoming by May 10, EP Rugby’s fall from grace could be further placed under the microscope.
Saru spokesman Andy Colquhoun said members had requested a special general meeting and they had asked for an update .
Even if the rescue plan is approved, Watson is still facing a vote of no confidence from disgruntled clubs who are unhappy with the way he and his leadership have performed.
Talks have been underway for the SA Rugby Union (Saru) to bail out the Eastern Province Rugby Union (EPRU) after the Port Elizabeth High Court placed the rugby union under provisional liquidation earlier this month.
Lawyer Craig Jessop, who represents 18 of the 36 aggrieved players, said after the ruling that if the money was not forthcoming, investigations would be held into how the rugby union had landed in the red.
Angry clubs say EP Rugby have so far ignored a request to convene a special general meeting.
The deadline for EP to respond to a request for the meeting by five clubs to hold a vote of no confidence is by close of business tomorrow.
“Enough is enough,” said Wayne Draghoender, chairperson of Booysens Pride RFC, one of the five clubs that submitted letters to EPRU requesting a special general meeting.
The five clubs who submitted a letter requesting the meeting were Bedford Cranes, Booysens Pride, Brumbies, Scorpions and Windvogel United.
“We are grateful to Bantwini Matika and his Rugby Transformation movement for opening our eyes to the shortfalls of this executive and we gained confidence from the fact that over 80% of clubs did not approve the financials of EPRU in the previous special general meeting, so as clubs we want this executive replaced immediately and an independent accountability process conducted on them by those equipped to do so,” said Draghoender.
“Saru was asked by clubs to take over EPRU administration. Clubs hope they will succeed in getting the EPRU executive to open the books of the Eastern Province Rugby Pty and Southern Kings that they refused to open to their constituency at the previous January AGM and special general meeting.”
EP Rugby did not reply to requests for comment.
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