WRU seek new President

The new President of the WRU will be elected by the member clubs and in place within the next eight weeks. An election is taking place following the death last November of the former Wales and British Lions player Keith Rowlands, who had been President since 2004.

The election of a new President was delayed until the end of the RBS Six Nations tournament as a mark of respect for Keith Rowlands who was renowned worldwide as a former player and rugby administrator. Letters were sent out to all WRU member clubs on Friday (23rd March 2007) seeking nominations for their candidates.

Each club can nominate one candidate with each candidate requiring two club nominations for their name to go forward to the election ballot. The nominations will close on Friday 13th April 2007 and ballot papers will then be issued to all clubs on Monday 16th April 2007. The formal closing date is three weeks later on Monday 7th May 2007, following which the new President will be formally announced.

The successful candidate will be in post until the next Annual General Meeting of the WRU when the annual election process will determine the position for the following term of office which will be for one year in accordance with Article 48 in the WRU constitution.

Details of the election process for a new President were confirmed at a meeting of the full board of the Welsh Rugby Union on Thursday (March 22nd 2007).

Roger Lewis, Welsh Rugby Union Group Chief Executive, said: “The clubs, which are the heart and soul of Welsh rugby, have built up a tradition of finding men of great ability, integrity and charisma to fill this role down the decades. We are looking for an individual of the highest calibre to replace someone of the stature of Keith Rowlands.

“This is a crucially important role within the WRU and world rugby so we know the search for the right person will be widespread, considered and successful. We were all extremely fond of Keith and valued his help and guidance enormously so I look forward to building a similar relationship with the new President.”

The WRU President is a senior figurehead of Welsh rugby and is empowered to attend all the major decision-making meetings within the Union’s senior structure.

Before Keith Rowlands became President in 2004, Sir Tasker Watkins had held the post from 1993 until he decided to step down. Sir Tasker, who is now Honorary Life Vice Patron of the WRU, will continue to undertake some of the functions normally performed by the President until the successor is appointed.