A message from Penny Stewart, RFU Council Representative for Northumberland
13th February 2025
Dear All
I hope this email finds you well and I would truly appreciate five minutes of your time to read this message.
The Freshfields Review Report (Read the Report Here) has now been issued to Council and the wider game and I hope all clubs have now attended either an in-person or virtual engagement session or are planning to do so next week. This is your opportunity to have your say and ask questions of the RFU Senior Leadership Team.
Special General Meeting
I am writing again to remind you of the important decision required at the upcoming Special General Meeting (SGM) on 27th March at 5pm at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham. I also wish to ensure you all have the necessary details to make your decision and am always willing to answer any questions you might have before you make that decision.
The SGM has been called following a vote of no confidence in the RFU leadership, primarily due to a long-term incentive payment (LTIP) made to RFU executives post-Covid (please see the Freshfields Review Report). As a members’ organisation, the RFU values your input on the future leadership of the RFU.
The sole item for decision at the SGM is: “The members recommend to the Board that Bill Sweeney should be removed as the Chief Executive Officer of the RFU.”
Each member club has one vote, as does Northumberland County Rugby Ltd and myself as RFU Council member.
You can vote ‘for’ or ‘against’ the motion either:
• During the SGM (in person or online)
• In advance by proxy, using the form on the SGM Calling Notice. I will be present at the SGM and am happy to cast your vote by proxy if you so wish.
The calling notice has been sent to all club secretaries with all the links and ID numbers needed to vote – this includes the option to select a proxy vote if desired.
If for any reason your club does not have this information, please get in touch with me immediately and I will investigate and sort it out for you.
My Vote as a Council Member and my personal reasoning
I have been asked by several people to provide my personal views and observations on this matter as your Council Member for Northumberland.
For clarity and transparency purposes, I wish to advise you I will be casting my vote as a Council Member to vote against the resolution.
I understand that not everyone may agree but I personally do not believe a vote of no confidence in our CEO is the right approach. I am unaware of a viable alternative plan for the RFU being presented by the parties requesting the vote. We have already lost a highly accomplished Chairman over this matter and losing the CEO too could bring volatility to the game when we need constancy and a delivery of a clear plan grounded in strong leadership, strong financial performance, with continued investment in the Community Game and our strategic growth projects, as set out below:
1. Financial Strength and Stability
• The RFU is in a strong financial position under the leadership of the CEO, with no bank debt, £59m in cash, and £83.6m in reserves despite very difficult trading conditions post covid and the cost-of-living crisis.
• Revenue is expected to grow by over 20% this cycle, despite fluctuations due to the number of men’s home games.
• The Community Game Future project guarantees £30 million annually for the next four years, a significant increase from the usual one-year commitment.
2. Achievements and Investments
• Participation in men’s rugby nationally has nearly recovered to pre-Covid levels, with over 178,000 registered player’s last season.
• We are the leading union in terms of our investment into the community game and have committed to £30m a year over the next four-year cycle. This includes a commitment to introducing T1 rugby into 5,000 schools, building up to 90 regionally based Development Officers and 100 School Rugby Managers, more coach/match official qualifications and training, as well as continued investment into facilities and floodlights. I am protective of this investment in the grassroots game and do not wish to see it diluted or utilised for other purposes or by other entities.
• The Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 in England is set to be a landmark event, with 220,000 tickets already sold.
3. Performance
• The men’s team finished third in the 2023 Rugby World Cup, and our U18s and U20s are current World Champions. We are yet to see how we fair in this season’s 6Ns and I am very hopeful for the future with some remarkable players coming through the player pathway which has been forged under the CEO’s tenure.
• The Red Roses are strong contenders for the 2025 Women’s World Cup on home soil. The CEO continues to be committed in his vision, innovation and drive to create a thriving and successful women’s game in England, which is envied by all the other unions.
4. Governance and Leadership
• A Governance and Representation Review is currently ongoing. I believe we must let this Review complete and provide the recommendations around the organisational and governance changes the game needs, as opposed to calling on one head to roll which will bring more uncertainty to the union.
The Engagement Roadshows
The RFU, like all other organisation, is aware there are things it could do better too. It is not perfect but then neither are any of us. We all need to continually listen to feedback, take it onboard, improve and get better.
Several points such as GMS, league and competition structures, communication strategy etc. have been constant themes of frustration voiced by clubs during the various roadshows I have attended. These Roadshows have proved to be an invaluable opportunity for clubs to air their concerns and for the central hierarchy, led by Sir Bill Beaumont, to hear first-hand the issues being faced. There is a solid commitment to capture the feedback and work hard to find ways to mitigate and overcome these issues for the members and host of hard-working volunteers who run the grassroots game. A pledge to continue the roadshows either annually or bi-annually has also been expressed and this will be rotated around the different CB regions.
I am always available for you to contact me to discuss any concerns or request further information you may require either in relation to the above, or other rugby matters.
Kind regards
Penny Stewart
RFU Council Representative for Northumberland
07835 513602
