Answers needed from EP Rugby

PRESIDENT Andre Rademan and the “new” EP Rugby exco,

I am writing to you in this public forum, for and on behalf of more than 20 concerned EP Rugby clubs, as among other things, you do not return multiple calls, respond to countless e-mails and don’t keep minutes, or have yet tabled a proper set of accounting records.

It seems to us that your rationale is that if you remain silent, these problems will go away.

They won’t, they will get worse.

There is a pending EP Rugby Pty Ltd (in liquidation) interrogation this month of certain individuals responsible for reckless trading, misappropriation of funds and dereliction of fiduciary duty.

We have a short list of serious concerns detailed below.

There is a clear inability to have tabled a proper EP Rugby business plan, with funding that you all collectively said you would produce for EPRU, prior to the EP Rugby elections. This has not happened, so we ask you:

ý If EPRU owes EP Rugby Pty Ltd R14.3-million, where is the irrevocable assurance from the liquidator that a payment of R5-million a year over three years (which is the metro’s contribution to Saru and not the liquidator), that there will be no liquidation of EPRU?

This payment alone is legally not permissible in law, and I hope Saru and the metro have a legal opinion on this;

ý As elected officials of the EP Rugby Union, where is the formation of a new pty ltd company to run the commercial rights of EPRU’s Currie Cup, the international tournament (supposedly Pro12) entry, player and coaching contracts and, most importantly of all, multi-year sponsorship and marketing contracts?

ý Where is the new vision and energy, Mr Rademan?

The current Grand Challenge administration and fixture list is in chaos with weekly complaints by clubs of biased fixtures for home and away;

ý Why is there conflict between the EP Rugby Academy and NMU in selecting a U19 team and they compete for the same players?

A celebrity past player as chairman of selectors won’t cure this;

ý Why hold EP rugby trials on a Friday when clubs play the following day?

It is an absurd organisation that shows us that the exco is powerless and unable to plan;

ý Trials at Park club last month were a shambles with hundreds of club players invited to play.

Where is the scientific physical assessment, and interviews of players and coaches to establish a profile of each in a central database?

ý What sponsors or partners have you solicited?

It is not possible to attract any sponsors or financial support without a proper business and marketing plan that can detail a proper contractual offering for the sponsors;

ý Why are you allowing Saru to spend the EP Rugby SuperRugby TV rights fees?

ý Where is the financial accountability and reporting from 2012 to 2017?

Kindly come forward and make a public detailed presentation to us clubs and the paying EP Rugby fans, on the future of EP Rugby and please do this in the next week.

Your EP Rugby website is outdated and an embarrassment to the entire EP rugby community.

You do realise the obligations and promises you made, so start making good on this as we have a new tournament to be announced soon and the Currie Cup to plan for.

This calls for proper and immediate action, not running away and hiding in a meeting that accomplishes nothing.

You are accountable to EP Rugby clubs, fans and the metro.

Show EP Rugby communities your leadership!

Bassie van der Walt, former chairman EP Rugby finance 2004 to 2008