Dodson defends delay in SRU financial report

MARK Dodson has insisted that Scottish Rugby remains financially stable despite a lengthy delay in the publication of the governing body’s annual accounts.

Addressing the second part of the union’s annual general meeting last night, the chief executive said the delay in producing audited figures for the last financial year had been to allow a “restructuring [ of] our finances with the bank”. The third and final part of the AGM is set to be held next month, by which time audited figures are expected to be released.

“The business is stable and is in the process of securing its medium- term future,”

Dodson told the meeting, which was held virtually. “We face ongoing challenges that may obstruct our progress and alter time frames, but Scottish Rugby was a strong business going into this pandemic and will still be a strong business when we come out of this crisis.”

One big reason for Dodson’s relative optimism is the support of venture capital firm CVC, whose agreement with the PRO14 netted £ 8.38 million in the last financial year. The chief executive said that figure had helped Scottish Rugby to record an unaudited post- tax surplus of £ 2.87m.

The main business of the meeting saw member clubs deliver a rebuke to senior management last night by passing two motions in favour of greater transparency at the annual general meeting.

The motion by Currie sought to reassert the authority of the SRU Council, an elected body, over how the union is run.

The motion by Glasgow Hawks emphasised the need for greater transparency in decision- making within the organisation.