Kings and EP need to find middle ground
The scheduled meeting between the EP Rugby Union and the Southern Kings on Thursday will provide a good opportunity to clear the air. There has been little transparency forthcoming from the Kings in recent months and the franchise has been dogged by problems. These issues finally culminated in the delayed payment of the players’ salaries for April. As 26% shareholders in the Kings, the EPRU believes it should be privy to the goings on and decision-making of the embattled franchise.
It demanded a meeting with the Kings board in May but this did not materialise, adding more fuel to the fire.
An ugly row ensued, with EP president Andre Rademan and Kings second in charge Rory Stear taking pot shots at each other.
It has not helped matters that the team have performed poorly in the PRO14, winning only one match in 13 this season, and that the Kings board has been unable to find additional sponsors.
They have also not been able to secure the services of a permanent coach, with former Springbok Robbi Kempson still fulfilling an interim role.
Thursday’s meeting follows soon after it was revealed by The Herald that two of the Kings’ business consortium members, Kenny Govender and Gary Markson, had decided to resign.
All this points towards an air of instability around the franchise and this is something that is of major concern to both EP and supporters alike.
The Kings have also not been forthcoming when it comes to media inquiries about their situation, and that inevitably leads to added speculation.
Well-informed sources say the EP Rugby Union will be seeking clarity on all of the above and also demand, as shareholders, to see the Kings’ financial statements for the past six months.
It is critical that the two parties reach some sort of middle ground going forward if cold water is to be poured on simmering tensions.
Rugby in the province is suffering because of the negativity around the franchise and it is hoped we will see a measure of transparency sooner rather than later.