Motion calling for Special General Meeting of the RFU

In collaboration with the Championship Clubs, the Rugby Football Referees Union has taken on the role of co-ordinating the games support for a Collective Motion to call for a Special General Meeting of the RFU.

In light of the news that Executives at the RFU had received significant pay increases and bonuses despite record losses, redundancies, and an array of recent performance failings, members had contacted the RFRU to request support in making their voices heard. The below collective motion has been developed with the RFU Championship Clubs to allow members of the RFU a voice and a full range of options to vote on at a Special General Meeting, exercising their democratic right in the game.

The full motion is below for members to read.

If any clubs, Referees Societies, Constituent Bodies or Council Members would like to add their signature to the motion, please contact AJW@rfru.co.uk and the required administrative steps can be followed.

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The Motion reads:

Bill Sweeney
Rugby Football Union
200 Whitton Road
Twickenham
Middlesex
TW2 7BA

Dear Bill,

1. The publication of Annual Report (2023/24), including the Remuneration Committee report in respect of the remuneration of the senior leadership within the RFU has received a large amount of sustained negative reaction across stakeholders throughout the game.

2. The financial aspects reported (including but not limited to the loss made in the year and the remuneration of senior leadership, against a backdrop of staff redundancies) has given rise to increasing media coverage.

3. In addition, we are of the belief that Council was only provided the report around an hour ahead of the meeting at which it was to be discussed, raising significant concerns around good governance and effective checks and balances being in place within the RFU governance structures.

4. We note the President of the RFU being concerned that much of this noise is attributable to "media spinning" and "clickbait"; as such, and noting that a perception of shortcomings can often be as fatal as actual shortcomings, we consider that there is an urgent need for the RFU to be open, honest and transparent with its Members at the earliest possible opportunity to engage with them directly and to allow full discussion and understanding of the facts and circumstances, and to ensure that Members concerns are addressed.

5. The RFU has made significant financial losses over the last two rugby World Cup cycles, (circa £130m+); has reduced the number of field staff that support the community and has spent millions on removing England coaching staff during their tenure.

6. We have also seen the demise of four clubs in the top two leagues and the damage done to the second tier of our game through unaccountable decision-making.

7. The failure in dealing with promotion and relegation in the pyramid.

8. The debacle of the tackle height implementation, added to a centralised staffing structure, which does little to serve the game at local levels, means the thousands of volunteers who keep the game alive, and running have now lost confidence and trust in the leadership of our game.

9. As such, in accordance with Rule 9.4 of the Rules of the RFU, the below Members, in excess of the one hundred such Members required under the Rule, require the Chief Executive to convene a Special General Meeting of the RFU, in line with the provisions of Rule 9.5 (with respect to notice of such meeting and the time period in which such notice must be given), with such venue, date and time chosen to best maximise the ability of Members to engage with the Special General Meeting.

10. As required under Rule 9.4, the specific resolution(s) to be moved are as follows:

                                       I. The Special General Meeting notes the explanations and information provided to it in respect of the concerns it has set out in calling for this Special General Meeting.

                                            II. The Special General Meeting resolves that the relevant RFU Council independent review report back to Members of the RFU at a Special General Meeting to be held no later than 28th February 2025.

                                         III. It is resolved that the Chair of the Board of Directors (Mr Tom Ilube) be removed in accordance with Rule 12.17(d). 

                                        IV. It is resolved that the members have no confidence in the Chair of the Board of Directors (Mr Tom Ilube) and call upon him to resign with immediate effect.  (This is alternative to resolution 10.III and is only voted upon if the SGM does not achieve a 2/3 majority on Resolution 10.III)

                                            V. It is resolved that the members have no confidence in the CEO (Mr Bill Sweeney) and call upon the RFU Board of Directors to terminate his employment at the RFU as soon as practicably possible.

Yours sincerely,

Chair of the Club (if no chair, President)                                    Secretary or CEO of the Club

NOTE TO CLUBS AND SOCIETIES: As a "Corporate Member" of the RFU, please note that the following 2 officers are required to sign the above in order for your requisition to be valid. 

In the case of a Corporate Member (i.e. a club) a proposal must be signed by the chair (or if none the president) and the secretary (or if none the chief executive) of the Member.