Boland Rugby Union Annual general meeting 2017
THE Boland Rugby Union (BRU) held their annual general meeting at the Boland Stadium, Wellington on Thursday, 23 March 2017, where the following executive members were elected for the next two years:
John Adams
Klaas Cloete
Maurice Markus
Burton Niemand
Bennie van Rooi
The five newly elected executive members will join BRU’s existing board, consisting of BRU president Ivan Pekeur, BRU vice-president Stephen Jones and current BRU executive board member Denver Pienaar.
Boland Rugby’s annual financial report was also presented at the AGM, which confirmed a very good financial year for Boland Rugby in 2016. For the second year running, Boland Rugby’s financial year showed a clean audit, with the most recent financial report showing a profit of over R3 million in 2016 – a very positive outcome, despite earlier media allegations of mismanaged funds, fraud and corruption within the Boland Rugby Union.
During a special meeting that preceded the AGM, which was chaired by Mr Pat Kuhn and assisted by Mr Christo Ferreira, both of SARU, BRU clubs (chairpersons and delegates) voted against a motion of no confidence in BRU’s President and Executive Board. The President and Executive Committee allowed the tabling of the motion, despite the fact that the few clubs and individuals (5 in total) who brought the motion, was unable to do so in terms of the Constitution of BRU. It accordingly came as no surprise when the motion was overwhelmingly rejected by the special general meeting of members.
“Despite numerous requests by BRU, the handful of clubs and individuals who drove the motion was unable to bring it within the confounds of the Constitution,” says Pekeur. “We nevertheless allowed the tabling of the motion, despite the unconstitutionality thereof as we believe in open, ethical and transparent leadership” he added. “We are disappointed that it had to come to this point, but are happy, although not at all surprised, by the outcome. The time for petty politics and personal agendas is over. Everyone can, and should, now focus all their time and energy on matters that serve the best interest of Boland Rugby”.
Pekeur highlighted his excitement about the state of club rugby in the Boland, with the current competition format having received praise from the rugby community across the country.
“Looking at the spectators flooding into the gates on weekends, the new competition structure has changed the face of club rugby in the Boland, with a club game like Worcester Villagers against Young Hamilton’s attracting crowds of over 10 000 people. These turnouts have been so remarkable that interest has been shown by broadcasters, for certain Boland club rugby matches to be televised in the near future”, said Pekeur.
On the professional side, the Boland Cavaliers have also enjoyed a good 2016 season, having qualified for the Currie Cup Premier division (the first time since 2009) and finishing seventh on the overall Currie Cup log.
“Unfortunately, due to a debatable decision, the Boland Cavaliers lost out on a place in the 2017 Currie Cup Premier division, with the team that finished eighth in last year’s competition (the Pumas) being given the honour to compete in the top division in 2017 instead,” said Pekeur.
“Be that as it may, the Cavaliers are looking forward to another good season in 2017 under the newly appointed head coach Randall Modiba”.
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