Bargoed’s Butcher is voted in as new WRU chairman
ROBERT Butcher has been appointed chairman of the Welsh Rugby Union, defeating former Wales and Lions star Ieuan Evans in an election for the post.
He takes over from Gareth Davies, who reached the end of his six-year tenure at the Union’s AGM last week.
Davies had been willing to stay on for 12 to 18 months to help see Welsh rugby through the challenging times presented by the coronavirus pandemic.
But the former Wales and Lions outside-half failed to get re-elected to the WRU council, ruling him out of remaining on the board and continuing as chairman.
The 72-cap Evans was elected onto the council and then subsequently nominated by the members of that body to go on to the board.
That saw him going head to head with Butcher in the contest to become chairman.
It came down to a vote by the board of directors at a meeting held online on Sunday afternoon, and they have gone for Butcher.
He is a long-serving member of the WRU board, having been first elected in 2015 and is the current chair of the Community Game Board.
He’s had a lengthy association with Bargoed RFC, as a former player, captain and member of the club’s committee.
Away from rugby, he has a career in education as a senior teacher working for Merthyr Tydfil council, before turning to fully dedicate his time to the game in Wales.
“It’s an absolute honour to take on the chairmanship of the WRU at this hugely significant moment in the history of our great game,” said Butcher.
“I am genuinely proud and humbled to be appointed and can promise I will give my all to serve our game.
“I’m grateful to the board who have put their confidence in me, but I’m also conscious of the significant role Welsh rugby clubs have played in electing me to directly represent them on the WRU council in the first place.
“I look forward to working with Ieuan Evans, the rest of the board and the Executive as we continue to navigate the impact the ongoing pandemic has had on our game.
“We will survive this, but our actions now will determine how quickly we get back up to speed.
“I intend to fully reward the faith that has been shown in me. It has been my privilege to have served the game for the last five years and beyond and I will bring to bear all the experience I have gathered in that time.”
Interim WRU chief executive Steve Phillips said: “The relationship between a CEO and the chair is a crucial one in all businesses, but is particularly important to Welsh rugby because of the unique way in which we serve both the professional and community game and because the game means so much to our nation.
“Rob has shown throughout the current election process that he has the very best interests of Welsh rugby at heart and I look forward to forging a strong partnership in the weeks and months ahead in order to realise the WRU’s vision for the future of our game.”