Race on for EP union’s post
UNLESS there are lastminute surprises the election battle for the vacant position of the president of the troubled EP Rugby Union looks like being a three-horse race.
It has emerged that Andre Rademan, Stag Mitchell and Tony McKeever will be among the nominations to replace Cheeky Watson who resigned after eight years in the hot seat.
Earlier there had been speculation that former Springbok Garth Wright could be in contention, but he has said he would not be standing.
“I am happy to help and assist from the outside but I am not prepared to be an elected official,” said Wright.
Nominations for the position close at end of business today and an official list is expected will be announced by the EP Rugby Union tomorrow.
Rademan is a former president of the Crusaders and has been backed by a group of clubs under the banner of the Rugby Transformation Coalition.
McKeever is a former chief executive of the Southern Spears while Mitchell has been nominated by the PE Metro Sub-union.
Earlier a circular was sent to all EP Rugby Union members calling for nominations for the vacant post of president and various positions on the executive.
In the notice, SA Rugby administrator Monde Tabata requested nominations for president, deputy president, vicepresident and four executive council members.
“Members are advised that the special general meeting where they will need to consider and vote on the nominations is intended to take place on April 8,” said Tabata.
Those candidates nominated for the position of president will be expected to provide a synopsis of their strategic plan for the EPRU.
The EPRU’s administration is set to be returned to local hands following a series of decisions.
“The administrator will hand the union over to the new executive after the elections. I am very, very excited about this new dawn and we expect good quality candidates to come forward,” he said.
“The cleaned-up EP constitution will attract good candidates to come forward.
“Work is being done on sponsorship. At an appropriate time we will release information.
“The constitution has now been cleaned up and we have aligned it to the SA Rugby constitution and World Rugby principles as well as Sascoc requirements.”