2 May, 2020 in Featured, News by Asia Rugby Live
Sir Bill Beaumont elected World Rugby Chairman
and has called on the game to unite and get working immediately to achieve
sustainable growth in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic after being elected for
a second term as World Rugby Chairman.
·
World Rugby Council elects Beaumont as Chairman for four-year term
· Beaumont achieves first round
majority to confirm second term
· Fédération Française de Rugby
President Bernard Laporte elected Vice-Chairman
· New World Rugby Executive
Committee elected
· Early announcement approved
by both candidates
· Beaumont calls on game to
unite and work collectively for a stronger future
· Four-year term will begin
after 12 May Council meeting
Beaumont achieved a first-round majority of 28
votes to 23 in the election which was independently managed by PwC, standing
against Agustín Pichot.
Standing unopposed, Fédération Française de
Rugby President Bernard Laporte was elected the new Vice-Chairman. A new
Executive Committee was also confirmed with seven new members elected to join
the Chairman, Vice-Chairman, CEO and two independents Angela Ruggiero and Lord
Mervyn Davies (see below).
>>>>>>>>>World
Rugby Nominations
Beaumont’s second term will be officially
confirmed at World Rugby’s annual meeting of Council on 12 May, after which the
new leadership’s four-year mandate will begin.
Both candidates agreed to an early announcement
given the process concluded at first round stage and no further votes were
required for the Vice-Chairman and Executive Committee positions.
Beaumont, in partnership with Laporte, will
build on strong foundations to deliver a mandate of progressive reform, uniting
stakeholders for the betterment of the game for all.
This will include enhanced governance reform, an
aligned and integrated approach to the global international calendar,
accelerated prioritisation of player welfare, injury-prevention and modified
contact variants, accelerated promotion of the women’s game and sustainable
investment the sport.
Asia Rugby
Continues to Review Competitions Fixtures for the Second Half of 2020
Work is progressing on a global women’s 15s
competition and a global men’s emerging nations 15s competition that, alongside
a record number of fixtures against top nations, targets union competition
needs, provides opportunity for all, enhances Rugby World Cup performance and
delivers an annual champion.
“I am honoured to accept the mandate of the
World Rugby Council to serve as the international federation’s Chairman once
again and would like to thank my union and region colleagues, members of the
global rugby family and, of course, my family for their full support and trust.
“I would like to thank Gus for his friendship
and support over the last four years. While we stood against each other in this
campaign, we were aligned in many ways and I have the utmost respect for him.
Gus is passionate about the sport and his contribution has been significant.”
Beaumont has called on the organisation to get
to work, deliver the sport’s response to mitigate the COVID-19 pandemic, and
implement progressive change: “Over the last four years we have achieved a lot,
but we are at half-time and need to press on in the second half.
I have a clear mandate to work with Bernard to
implement progressive, meaningful and sustainable change.
“As an organisation, we must lead, be
transparent, accountable and continue to serve for all. We must be united in
our drive to make this great sport even better, simpler, safer and more
accessible.
We must listen to players, fans, competitions,
our unions and regions, and take decisions that are in the best interests of
all with our strong values to the fore.
“Now is not the time for celebration. We have
work to do. We are tackling COVID-19 and must implement an appropriate
return-to-rugby strategy that prioritises player welfare, while optimising any
opportunity to return to international rugby this year in full collaboration
with club competitions for the good of players, fans and the overall financial
health of the sport.
“I am determined to ensure that the spirit of
unity and solidarity that has characterised our work so far in response to an
unprecedented global COVID-19 pandemic, is the cornerstone of a new approach
that will deliver a stronger, more sustainable game when we emerge with new
enthusiasm, a renewed purpose and an exciting future.”
Laporte added: “Congratulations to my friend Sir
Bill Beaumont on his re-election. I would also like to express my best wishes
to Agustín Pichot, a legend of Argentinian rugby and a great rugby leader.
I also want to thank all unions who have
expressed their opinion in this important ballot, giving a clear mandate for
the governance which Bill and I will undertake on their behalf.
“During this unprecedented and global COVID-19
crisis, we must act and unite unions from the north and south and the
professional leagues around a common objective to define a strong and
sustainable future for all.
We will pursue these reforms together and act in
solidarity with the rugby family, to drive the game forward on and off the
field, further the welfare of our players and make the sport more attractive
and accessible.”
The new Executive Committee will comprise: Sir Bill Beaumont (Chairman), Bernard
Laporte (Vice-Chairman, Fédération Française de Rugby), Brett Gosper (Chief
Executive), Angela Ruggiero (Independent), Lord Mervyn Davies (Independent);
Mark Alexander (South African Rugby Union), Khaled Babbou (Rugby Africa), Bart
Campbell (New Zealand Rugby), Gareth Davies (Welsh Rugby Union), John Jeffrey
(Scottish Rugby), Bob Latham (USA Rugby) and Brett Robinson (Rugby Australia).
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