SRU AGM to be pushed back to 26th September due to Covid concerns

SCOTTISH RUGBY UNION President Ian Barr has issued a letter to member clubs advising them that he plans to push the main business of this year’s Annual General Meeting for the governing body back to 26th September so that delegates can attend in person.

Following discussions with the Scottish Rugby Council, the Scottish Rugby Board and Chief Medical Officer Dr James Robson, Barr explained that the agreed view is that “by holding the AGM in person on the initially considered date in August we would still be placing our members at an increased risk of contracting COVID-19 even with a recently improving national picture”.

Therefore, he proposes to call the Union’s AGM virtually on the previously earmarked date of 14th August and then immediately adjourn the meeting until 26th September, when it is hoped that both restrictions and infection rates will allow all business to be fully considered and debated in a safe environment.

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“The formal notice calling the Meeting, together with details of the business to be conducted will be circulated to members shortly,” added Barr. “All supporting documentation including the Accounts and my update on the Governance Review will be made available to members at the originally scheduled time in August which should allow members sufficient time to consider the information ahead of the in person AGM in September.

“Although it would be everyone’s preference to host the AGM in person on its traditional calendar slot in August, I hope this decision offers members a satisfactory compromise which will allow for sufficient discussion and debate to take place at a time that is more safe to do so.”

Three motions have been tabled by member clubs for the AGM. The GHA motion proposes that a modernised version of the Scottish Inter-District Championship for senior men’s rugby be set up in place of Super6, the Glasgow Hawks motion requires full disclosure of how the £20m Scottish Government Covid support package is spent, and the Haddington motion calls for the Scottish Rugby Union’s Council to review the in-house legal and secretarial function of the Union and Scottish Rugby Union Limited, its wholly-owned subsidiary.

A letter to clubs earlier this month which was co-signed by Barr and Scottish Rugby Board Chairman John Jeffrey intimated that the Board and Council will propose amendments to the GHA and Glasgow Hawks motions and resist the Haddington motion. There is expected to be some vigorous debate in all three cases.

Bridgehaugh exhibition captures the spirit of rugby at Stirling County