PRESIDENT IAN BARR isnae daft, he sent out the latest update on the Standing Committee on Governance on Thursday, 31 March; such is the trust the body of the kirk has in BT Murrayfield (regardless of Ian's stalwart efforts to rebuild that trust), if he'd dated it 1 April, confusion might have reigned.
No criticism of Gavin MacColl QC is intended, but, since Professor Lorne Crerar came onboard, a man with a proven track record in the game, things have moved along at a higher pace and a bit more transparency has been obvious.
Ian has been able to report: The log jam has apparently been removed, and we will see a Special General Meeting (SGM) convened, at which the clubs – the main stakeholders in the game in Scotland, will have an opportunity to discuss the proposals, then vote on them.
Basically, the Council and the SRU Board are on-board with the proposals which will see:
The Creation of a new body “The Scottish Rugby Union” - a company limited by guarantee, owned by and responsible to the member clubs.
This body “The Union” or “The SRU” will hold the assets of Scottish Rugby.
It will exercise effective oversight of the activities of The SRU and will be managed by a new arrangement called “a Relationship Management Agreement.”
This new body will report to the members a minimum of four times per year, after each meeting with The SRU.
The creation of “The Club Rugby Board” (CRB), made-up of individuals directly elected from the club game via the Forums as they are currently structured.
This new body, will be formed to develop and implement a strategy for the domestic game, in conjunction with the SRU's Game Development Department.
The CRB will be responsible for a budget, representing 15% of a four-year rolling average of the SRU's turnover, ring-fenced to provide funding for the club game.
Ian Barr's document also confirms the intention of the SCOG to shortly present a motion at an SGM – hopefully by late May.
With both The Council and the main SRU Board, on-board, Ian is confident events will move forward at pace and the member clubs will soon have a chance to raise any concerns with the Council members at meetings of the farious forums, proor to the SGM.
There is a caveat in-place around what follows. My four daughters will confirm, as would my late wife were she still with us – when it comes to handling money or financial issues – I am totally hopeless. So, don't take this as gospel, however:
If we take an average of the last four years' SRU turnover, we get a figure of £56.5 million. If 15% of this is ring-fenced for the club game, it gives them a budget of £8.4 million, which is double what, as far as I can see, the club game received in the last full year for which figures are available, season 2020-21.
Now, if I've got that right, that has to be good news for the club game, and, surely, with that budget, we can really get the club game back into rude health.
THAT WAS much more like it, Glasgow Warriors thrashing Zebre 40-12 at Scotstoun on Friday night. OK, it was “only Zebre” and it was at home, but, it was good to see the team putting-in something closer to an 80 minutes display.
With back-to-back games in South Africa, against The Stormers and The Bulls, before the 1872 Cup clash with Edinburgh, not forgetting, at the very least a European Challenge Cup Round of 16 game to come – which at the moment looks like being a visit to Edinburgh – well, there's a lot still to play for before the end of the season.
EDINBURGH have a big game this afternoon, in Johannesburg, when they take-on the Emirates Lions in the URC. The capital side caused a bit of a stooshie last week-end, by beating the Sharks and in the process becoming the first northern hemisphere team to win a URC game in South Africa.
On paper, The Lions are the weakest of the four South African teams, but, at home, and on the high veldt, well they will be formidable opponents. If Edinburgh can win this one, it will surely give them a huge boost for the other big games they face this month.
SCOTLAND'S Women are back in Tik Tok Six Nations action this afternoon, facing Wales at Cardiff Arms Park. This will be another tough test for Bryan Easson's girls, with Wales on a high after beating Ireland in their opening match.
It's a huge game for Scotland hooker Lana Skeldon (pictured), who will win her 50th cap this afternoon. By the end of the tournament, Lana could well be the most-capped Hawick hooker, as she closes on the legendary Colin Deans' 52 caps record.
FINALLY, my thoughts are with the good people of Currie and Balerno, who will this afternoon have to thole an invasion by some rough types from Troon, the followers of Marr, who take-on Currie Chieftains in the Tennent's Premiership Play-Off Final, at Malleny Park.
The Chieftains have been the form team in the Premiership this season and will, with home advantage, start as favourites. However, the feeling around Fullarton Park is that the one bad day at the office this season which their team produced was when losing 12-38 on their last visit to Malleny Park, back in September; they dearly want to overturn that defeat.
However, Currie also stormed “Fortress Fullarton,” winning 34-26 back in November, so Marr are hoping it will be third time lucky this afternoon. Certainly at least a couple of the Marr team are reported to be off to Super6 later this month, so, they will want to go out on a winning note.
This one could be a cracker.
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