SRU hoping to get third-party pro funding motion passed at tonight’s SGM
The SRU hopes that member clubs turn up in force at tonight’s SGM and approve the motion to allow third-party funding to be sought for pro teams Glasgow Warriors and Edinburgh Rugby.
Reaching a quorum of 106 votes (each club has the right to two) will be the first hurdle to be cleared before the delegates get around to voting on the motion which has been proposed by the union’s president Rob Flockhart.
The meeting will take place at BT Murrayfield at 6pm. Club representatives do not need to be office bearers but must be current members of the club or associate body on whose behalf they will vote. Attendance at the meeting will qualify delegates for free entry to the Edinburgh v Zebre match which follows at 7:35pm.
In the explanatory note issued with the motion the SRU states: “The Board and Council are keen to ensure that the Union’s core domestic game priorities are protected from rising costs in the professional rugby sector and to create the conditions necessary to try to attract external investment into professional and performance rugby.
“Turnover has increased markedly in recent years, with debt levels reduced and increased investment made in domestic rugby and the professional teams. Costs in the professional game – mainly the employment costs of pro players – have risen significantly in recent years and are projected to continue to rise, driven largely by increased broadcast and other revenues in the professional leagues in England and France... If not matched by improved revenue streams from pro rugby to pay for them it will ultimately place pressures on other income streams which might otherwise be devoted to the union’s core activities.”