Sibc 11: Structure Of RFU Will Stay

Speaking exclusively at the Nolan Partners Sport Industry Breakfast Club in front of a packed room of industry executives, Paul Vaughan, chief executive of England Rugby 2015, dismissed claims that the recent departure of RFU chief executive John Steele and the negative press surrounding the events have rendered the governing body’s new structure moving forward as invalid.

Following the recent restructuring of the RFU under Steele during his brief 9-month tenure, Vaughan, who has worked at the governing body as business and operations director for the last 10 years, explained that the structure would continue to be put into effect.

‘When John arrived we basically reviewed the way in which the Union was structured and we wanted to put rugby back at the heart of the business’.

‘We need to drive new players, new coaches, new referees, new volunteers into the game, and we also want the game to be thriving for the longer term’.

‘So John put in place, with everyone’s agreement, a new structure for the way in which the Union should look going forward. Essentially it puts both the elite game and the grassroots game together, so they share best practice’.

‘The commercial side sits on the side because it’s the engine that drives the business, and we have the 2015 World Cup coming down the track which will be a huge shop window for the commercial side of the game’.

Talking to Breakfast Club interviewer Simon Lazenby, Vaughan discussed the impact of the recent departure of Steele.

‘Everybody liked John, the staff liked him, the clubs liked him, and I think he went down very well, in terms of the face of the game’.

‘Inevitably though, the board made a decision that it wasn’t going to last much longer so they concluded that it was time to part ways’.

The Rugby 2015 CEO confirmed that he abstained from RFU vote on John Steele.

‘It’s hard to vote on your line manager’s future, so I left the room at that point. Sadly, these things happen and we all wish John well’.

Click here for the highlights video of the Breakfast Club.