EXCLUSIVE: Welsh clubs gang up to oust chief executive Roger Lewis
The Welsh Rugby Union had been urged to ‘get rid’ of chief executive Roger Lewis before last Tuesday’s announcement of his impending departure.
Several directors of the 18-man WRU board had been put under pressure to take decisive action by the clubs who had elected them. Having ousted David Pickering as chairman last August, the rank-and-file clubs then aimed their fire at Lewis over what they saw as the Union hierarchy’s neglect of the grass-roots game.
“Four board members had a very clear message from the clubs they represent that they wanted to get rid of Mr Lewis,” a leading non-Union figure told The Rugby Paper. “They did so because they do not believe he has any understanding of their struggle at grass-roots level.
“As I understand it, the board met before the England match and voted unanimously that he had to go. Lewis had no intention of going anywhere until after the Lions tour of New Zealand in 2017.”
Far from giving any background behind their announcement that Lewis will leave in October, the WRU statement issued on Tuesday praised the outgoing chief executive for his “massive contribution” to Welsh rugby.
Lewis, 60, said the “time was right for me to move forward” and that the early announcement would ensure a smooth transition “in the best interests of Welsh rugby”.
Several clubs spoke of their “relief” at the decision. District G, one of nine WRU districts which consists of 19 Carmarthenshire clubs, were among the districts who called for boardroom action.
Chris Jones, coaching co-ordinator, secretary, vice chairman and coach of Newcastle Emlyn RFC, said: “We were extremely unhappy as a district at the way Roger Lewis treated the grass-roots game.
“We told our people on the WRU board that it was high time they informed him that he was a paid employee and they had to stand up and make that clear. He could be extremely arrogant. He decided to concentrate on reducing the Millennium Stadium debt and on the national team. Anything they wanted, they got, whatever the cost.
“We run a successful club at Newcastle Emlyn but the grass-roots game is dying. A lot of clubs will be quite happy he is going in the hope that whoever succeeds him will prioritise grass-roots clubs.”
Pontypool chief executive Ben Jeffreys, one of = four EGM delegates to support a motion calling for a vote of no confidence in the WRU leadership over their mishandling of the Swalec League fiasco, said: “There is no joy because so much damage has been inflicted on the game.
In an open letter to member clubs, chairman Gareth Davies outlined plans for a new strategic plan.
“The first objective is to agree what sort of leadership the WRU needs,” he said.
“We are opening a new chapter in our history. The liaison with the clubs on all matters of relevance will be timely and transparent.”
