Otago union postpones annual meeting

THE Otago Rugby Football Union’s annual meeting has been postponed though the union will continue to operate.

The union was set to have its annual meeting on Monday night at the University RFC clubrooms, where its annual report would have been presented, votes made for board members and also a vote on the board selection appointment panel.

It would also to have presented its financial statements and an outline of the past year.

Otago Rugby Football Union general manager Richard Kinley said the decision had been made to postpone the annual meeting.

With the country in lockdown there was the option of having the meeting through a video streaming service and to get the basic workings of the meeting over.

But the meeting was set to announce some life memberships and there was also going to be the appointment of a new president. President Des Smith was stepping down and his successor appointed. The president was a mainly ceremonial appointment though he did sit on the board.

Kinley said with some significant appointments and announcements made then it was best for the meeting to be delayed. A special general meeting would take place at an appropriate time.

Chairwoman Rowena Davenport and board member Nick

Fisher were up for reelection and both are believed to be seeking reelection.

Kinley said the union was working through the Covid19 situation but he said the biggest asset to the union was its staff. There were a lot of video conferences taking place between officials of different provinces across the country and he said everyone was being supportive.

The club season was due to kick off last Friday and the Super Rugby southern derby between the Highlanders and the Crusaders was to have taken place tomorrow night at Forsyth Barr Stadium.

But the stadium is all locked up and noone is working there as the sport is in a holding pattern.