Bill Sweeney gets his bonus

[Which Tyler]

England rugby fans "RFU is run by amateurs old-boys in blazers, 57 old farts and all that - we must fire them and hire people who know how the corporate world works"
Also England rugby fans "RFU is run by corporate suits who mostly hit their assigned targets - we must fire them and hire people with passion for the sport"

[Oakboy]

Calls for a SGM and the sacking of Sweeney and Co are understandable, I suppose, but I'd be most critical of those who sanctioned the appointnents linked to how bonuses would be paid - presumably RFU board members? Blaming an employee for earning a bonus seems odd - as against blaming those who sanctioned it.

I'm all for a root and branch enquiry but it must cover the whole decision-making structure at the top of the RFU.

[Banquo]

England rugby fans "RFU is run by amateurs old-boys in blazers, 57 old farts and all that - we must fire them and hire professionals"
Also England rugby fans "RFU is run by professional CEOs who mostly hit their assigned targets, but don't have a background in rugby - we must fire them and hire amateurs"

aye, its very much a set of outdated prejudices.

That said- and to Dors comments- there does need to be a surgical enquiry into how/why the LTIPs were set, how/who they were then given to, and how they assessed the performance....and what moderation/governance was in place (there needs to be checks and balances at the end about affordability say). BUT the LTIPS were set up with RFU Council approval under a previous chair- so Ilube has inherited this in fairness- I would say though, that he's been a little asleep at the wheel in not putting the checks and balances in for the end of the cycle.

Personally, I think the smoking gun is really how many RFU senior managers were 'added' to the LTIP scheme, which is why the truly independent review that was agreed yesterday should provide ammunition if there is any; to me all the motions of no confidence and SGM calls are really noise. The action should be around failed governance here, rather than pitchfork march on Sweeney, Ilube and Udwin. I don't have any time for Udwin, nor Ilube tbh, and Sweeney seems to have tin ears....but find the right 'target' if you want change.

[Banquo]

t it must cover the whole decision-making structure at the top of the RFU.

That's already happening separately.

[Oakboy]

t it must cover the whole decision-making structure at the top of the RFU.

That's already happening separately.

Unlike you, I have no knowledge of the inner workings. My simple mind sees two factors for concern: first, big money being paid to a few individuals when purse-strings are tight enough to require redundancies; second, no indication of the whole set-up being well run despite the big payouts.

Heart over head, I understand guys who volunteer to paint the club-house (having paid match fees to play for 15 years) believing that financial reality is a bit twisted.

[Banquo]

t it must cover the whole decision-making structure at the top of the RFU.

That's already happening separately.

Unlike you, I have no knowledge of the inner workings. My simple mind sees two factors for concern: first, big money being paid to a few individuals when purse-strings are tight enough to require redundancies; second, no indication of the whole set-up being well run despite the big payouts.

Heart over head, I understand guys who volunteer to paint the club-house (having paid match fees to play for 15 years) believing that financial reality is a bit twisted.

1- agreed on the money, see governance above. It’s not just ‘optics’ tbh
2- absolutely, as someone who has been a member of current club for 42 years, paying playing subs on top for
18 years, coaching for nada for 6 years and now doing about 35 hours a week plus matchdays as a volunteer, it’s a bit mad. 1st world problem as I’m lucky enough to be retired, but even so…

[Mellsblue]

Dear Members,

Yesterday evening, RFU Council Members, including the Council Elected Directors, met to discuss concerns within the game that have been raised since the Annual Report and Accounts were published.

Listening to concerns about a long-term incentive plan (LTIP) for the executive team, and with Council’s agreement, I have commissioned an independent review of the scheme. The review will be undertaken by independent law firm, Freshfields, to consider the provenance, design, implementation, and communication of the plan.

Council recognises the reputational damage that has been done to the sport over the past month and is committed to rebuilding trust with our members. Council has called for a radical change in the way that the RFU communicates, setting out clearly all the work that is being done to address the issues that clubs have raised about the challenges in the game. Council also recognises the importance of visible and proactive leadership and I have met with the Chair and Chief Executive to agree a way forward.

The role of the RFU Council is to unite the game, support good governance structures and hold the Board to account on behalf of its members; the review is demonstrating that in action.

The RFU understands there is concern in the game more broadly. Our sport has faced challenges in recent years, but I want to reassure you that while the Union continues to address these, community game player numbers have stabilised close to pre-covid levels with improving match completion rates.

There has been an increase in age grade player registrations and our Community Game Future Project has now planned our first multiyear community game investment of £30m a year against a prioritised roadmap with specific plans targeted at growing the game.

We recognise good Governance is critical and an independently led Governance & Representation Review is underway and will report back to the RFU Board and Council in 2025.

I would like to wish you a very Happy Christmas and best wishes for 2025.

Rob Udwin
RFU President

[Banquo]

Dear Members,

Yesterday evening, RFU Council Members, including the Council Elected Directors, met to discuss concerns within the game that have been raised since the Annual Report and Accounts were published.

Listening to concerns about a long-term incentive plan (LTIP) for the executive team, and with Council’s agreement, I have commissioned an independent review of the scheme. The review will be undertaken by independent law firm, Freshfields, to consider the provenance, design, implementation, and communication of the plan.

Council recognises the reputational damage that has been done to the sport over the past month and is committed to rebuilding trust with our members. Council has called for a radical change in the way that the RFU communicates, setting out clearly all the work that is being done to address the issues that clubs have raised about the challenges in the game. Council also recognises the importance of visible and proactive leadership and I have met with the Chair and Chief Executive to agree a way forward.

The role of the RFU Council is to unite the game, support good governance structures and hold the Board to account on behalf of its members; the review is demonstrating that in action.

The RFU understands there is concern in the game more broadly. Our sport has faced challenges in recent years, but I want to reassure you that while the Union continues to address these, community game player numbers have stabilised close to pre-covid levels with improving match completion rates.

There has been an increase in age grade player registrations and our Community Game Future Project has now planned our first multiyear community game investment of £30m a year against a prioritised roadmap with specific plans targeted at growing the game.

We recognise good Governance is critical and an independently led Governance & Representation Review is underway and will report back to the RFU Board and Council in 2025.

I would like to wish you a very Happy Christmas and best wishes for 2025.

Rob Udwin
RFU President

He'd already said he was going to do the review, but they've forced him to go independent. As above, the G and R review was underway before.

[Stom]

Dear Members,

Yesterday evening, RFU Council Members, including the Council Elected Directors, met to discuss concerns within the game that have been raised since the Annual Report and Accounts were published.

Listening to concerns about a long-term incentive plan (LTIP) for the executive team, and with Council’s agreement, I have commissioned an independent review of the scheme. The review will be undertaken by independent law firm, Freshfields, to consider the provenance, design, implementation, and communication of the plan.

Council recognises the reputational damage that has been done to the sport over the past month and is committed to rebuilding trust with our members. Council has called for a radical change in the way that the RFU communicates, setting out clearly all the work that is being done to address the issues that clubs have raised about the challenges in the game. Council also recognises the importance of visible and proactive leadership and I have met with the Chair and Chief Executive to agree a way forward.

The role of the RFU Council is to unite the game, support good governance structures and hold the Board to account on behalf of its members; the review is demonstrating that in action.

The RFU understands there is concern in the game more broadly. Our sport has faced challenges in recent years, but I want to reassure you that while the Union continues to address these, community game player numbers have stabilised close to pre-covid levels with improving match completion rates.

There has been an increase in age grade player registrations and our Community Game Future Project has now planned our first multiyear community game investment of £30m a year against a prioritised roadmap with specific plans targeted at growing the game.

We recognise good Governance is critical and an independently led Governance & Representation Review is underway and will report back to the RFU Board and Council in 2025.

I would like to wish you a very Happy Christmas and best wishes for 2025.

Rob Udwin
RFU President

He'd already said he was going to do the review, but they've forced him to go independent. As above, the G and R review was underway before.

As someone who is an outsider (not been a member of a club for 25 years), I really don’t like that email. It does not accept responsibility in the slightest.

[Banquo]

Dear Members,

Yesterday evening, RFU Council Members, including the Council Elected Directors, met to discuss concerns within the game that have been raised since the Annual Report and Accounts were published.

Listening to concerns about a long-term incentive plan (LTIP) for the executive team, and with Council’s agreement, I have commissioned an independent review of the scheme. The review will be undertaken by independent law firm, Freshfields, to consider the provenance, design, implementation, and communication of the plan.

Council recognises the reputational damage that has been done to the sport over the past month and is committed to rebuilding trust with our members. Council has called for a radical change in the way that the RFU communicates, setting out clearly all the work that is being done to address the issues that clubs have raised about the challenges in the game. Council also recognises the importance of visible and proactive leadership and I have met with the Chair and Chief Executive to agree a way forward.

The role of the RFU Council is to unite the game, support good governance structures and hold the Board to account on behalf of its members; the review is demonstrating that in action.

The RFU understands there is concern in the game more broadly. Our sport has faced challenges in recent years, but I want to reassure you that while the Union continues to address these, community game player numbers have stabilised close to pre-covid levels with improving match completion rates.

There has been an increase in age grade player registrations and our Community Game Future Project has now planned our first multiyear community game investment of £30m a year against a prioritised roadmap with specific plans targeted at growing the game.

We recognise good Governance is critical and an independently led Governance & Representation Review is underway and will report back to the RFU Board and Council in 2025.

I would like to wish you a very Happy Christmas and best wishes for 2025.

Rob Udwin
RFU President

He'd already said he was going to do the review, but they've forced him to go independent. As above, the G and R review was underway before.

As someone who is an outsider (not been a member of a club for 25 years), I really don’t like that email. It does not accept responsibility in the slightest.

Correct, slopy shoulders Mr Udwin.

[Banquo]

Ilube has stepped down I believe

[Mellsblue]

The dildo of consequences rarely arrives Ilubed.

[Banquo]

The dildo of consequences rarely arrives Ilubed.

[loudnconfident]

"The review will be undertaken by independent law firm, Freshfields"

Well, that takes care of another couple of £million...

[Puja]

"The review will be undertaken by independent law firm, Freshfields"

Well, that takes care of another couple of £million...

You're very much not wrong.

Puja

[Which Tyler]

As someone who is an outsider (not been a member of a club for 25 years), I really don’t like that email. It does not accept responsibility in the slightest.

Agreed, it's just so much side-stepping word-salad.
Definitely. The product of a professional corporate suit

[Banquo]

As someone who is an outsider (not been a member of a club for 25 years), I really don’t like that email. It does not accept responsibility in the slightest.

Agreed, it's just so much side-stepping word-salad.
Definitely. The product of a professional corporate suit

Well it’s from the President, who isnt a corporate suit, that’s the retro part of it. The RFU comms director ain’t great, has received bonus, and is leaving.
It’s more council speak than slick corp speak frankly.

[jngf]

Dear Members,

Yesterday evening, RFU Council Members, including the Council Elected Directors, met to discuss concerns within the game that have been raised since the Annual Report and Accounts were published.

Listening to concerns about a long-term incentive plan (LTIP) for the executive team, and with Council’s agreement, I have commissioned an independent review of the scheme. The review will be undertaken by independent law firm, Freshfields, to consider the provenance, design, implementation, and communication of the plan.

Council recognises the reputational damage that has been done to the sport over the past month and is committed to rebuilding trust with our members. Council has called for a radical change in the way that the RFU communicates, setting out clearly all the work that is being done to address the issues that clubs have raised about the challenges in the game. Council also recognises the importance of visible and proactive leadership and I have met with the Chair and Chief Executive to agree a way forward.

The role of the RFU Council is to unite the game, support good governance structures and hold the Board to account on behalf of its members; the review is demonstrating that in action.

The RFU understands there is concern in the game more broadly. Our sport has faced challenges in recent years, but I want to reassure you that while the Union continues to address these, community game player numbers have stabilised close to pre-covid levels with improving match completion rates.

There has been an increase in age grade player registrations and our Community Game Future Project has now planned our first multiyear community game investment of £30m a year against a prioritised roadmap with specific plans targeted at growing the game.

We recognise good Governance is critical and an independently led Governance & Representation Review is underway and will report back to the RFU Board and Council in 2025.

I would like to wish you a very Happy Christmas and best wishes for 2025.

Rob Udwin
RFU President

Udwin forgot to add “after an enjoyable stint with the RFU I’ve decided to spend more time with my golf course”

[jngf]

https://amp.theguardian.com/sport/2024/ ... er-pay-row

[Banquo]

https://amp.theguardian.com/sport/2024/ ... er-pay-row

See above, think it’s a done deal. Pretty sure Ilube is gone

[Banquo]

Ilube has stepped down I believe

Confirmed
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union ... 9g5zdq514o

[jngf]

£180k a year for a non-exec FFS ! RFU appear to have been P*****g money against the wall like a bogus Bank of England Economist

[jngf]

For the financial geeks amongst us ( admittedly including yours truly ) most recent RFU accounts available here: https://mutuals.fca.org.uk/Search/Society/28339

[jngf]

England men’s team purported to be unhappy with these crooks (the last adjective mine rather than theirs

[Banquo]

To go straight to the report about the year in question...https://rfu.widen.net/s/g5mhlxtpmg/annu ... rt-2023-24

This was published nearly a month ago