IRB Addresses Pressing Issues at Annual Meeting
The Annual Meeting of the International Rugby Board concluded in Dublin yesterday with agreement that 2003 had been a spectacularly successful one for rugby world wide, but that there were serious issues which required to be addressed. Dr. Syd Millar, the IRB Chairman said, 'Rugby World Cup 2003 was unquestionably a triumph, but it also served to expose a number of fault lines within the game which we cannot afford to ignore.'
These fault lines included the release of the best players for international matches, the widening gap between the wealthy nations and the financially disadvantaged countries and the need for collective responsibility amongst the leading nations. Dr. Millar said that he was greatly heartened by the positive response to these issues expressed in the Council meetings. ' A number of the decisions taken reflect the desire of the major nations to help the less well off', he said. He felt that the role of the IRB in this regard was crucial - 'Each of us must recognise and respect the authority of the IRB as the governing body for the sport'.
Dr. Millar also recognised the need for change within the Board. Referring to the Governance Working Party which is undertaking a root and branch review of the way in which the IRB is governed he said, ' I am very hopeful that this review will bear fruit. There is unanimity within the Council that the IRB must be a strong, united and respected world body, leading the game. What is certain is that, in a changing world,we cannot afford to stand still. Change we must and change we will.'
Governance
The general proposals outlined by the Working Party and the creation of a new governance model were accepted in principle by the Council. It was also agreed to empower the Executive Committee comprising Syd Millar( IRB Chairman), Bob Tuckey (Vice Chairman), Jacques Laurans(Treasurer), Mike Miller(Chief Executive Officer) Bill Beaumont and Jock Hobbs , to consider and make decisions which would enable the proposals to be finalised in time for the Interim Meeting of the Council in November.
The work programme includes the following -
* Commence review of the global season
* Review measures to address the competitiveness of Tier 1 and Tier 2 countries
* Finalise the updating of the IRB strategic plan
* Develop codes and policies framework
* Draft proposed Law changes to empower the Executive Committee
* Draft final report and circulate for consideration by September 2004
Membership Applications
It was agreed that Armenia, Rwanda, Mauritius, Burundi, Mali, Ghana, Togo and Tanzania be admitted to the IRB as Associate members.
The total membership of the IRB is as follows -
Unions in full membership - 95
Unions in associate membership - 11
Regions in full membership - 1
Regions in associate membership/observer status - 3
Player Movement
As a result of the recent changes in employment law in a large number of rugby playing territories throughout the world, the IRB will be conducting a review of those changes to assess the potential impact on the international game.
International Matches & Tours
The schedule of international matches was agreed in principle for the period between 2006 and 2012. In devising the schedule the Committee worked to the criteria agreed by the Council, the objectives of which were to harmonise the international matches between the member Unions; to develop the professional and amateur game world wide; to enhance the role and the revenue generation by the major Unions.
It was confirmed that the Pacific Island XV would play South Africa in July in Australia.
Wellington was confirmed as the venue for the Samoa v Scotland game in June.
Approval was given for a match between Wales and South Africa in Cardiff in November.
Approval given for matches between Italy and New Zealand in Rome in November, and between the Barbarians and New Zealand at Twickenham in November.
Law Amendments
It was agreed to move to a four year cycle for Law changes although the opportunity will exist to amend the Law when necessary.
Referees
A thorough review of the Referees Elite Management plan will be undertaken in order to further improve the performance of the elite referees. There will also be increased dialogue between the IRB Referee Manager and the Union Referee Development Managers to enhance the development of panel referees.
The Referee Selection panel will be - David Pickering (Wales) (Chairman), Dick Byres (Australia), Stephen Hilditch (Ireland), Riccardo Bordcoch (Argentina), Kees Blas (Netherlands) and a former international coach, to be appointed after consultation with Unions. The involvement of a former coach was consistent with the views expressed at the Conference on the Game in Auckland.
Game Regulations
Eligibility
It was agreed that proposals should be submitted at the Interim Meeting in November aimed at modifying the existing eligibility regulations. Particular emphasis will be placed on investigating the opportunities of assisting the countries in Tier 2 and below.
Anti Doping
A WADA compliant Anti Doping regulation was approved, and is scheduled to become effective on 1st June 2004
Regulation 9
As a result of the formation of the Pacific Island team, there is the following amendment to Regulation 9 in respect of player release. The amendment will also apply to the British and Irish Lions.
9.6 'For the purposes of regulations 9.1, 9.2, 9.3 and 9.4, the phrases 'Union', 'National Representative Team' and 'National Squad' shall be deemed to include the British and Irish Lions and the Combined Team of the Pacific Island Unions' (Fiji, Samoa and Tonga)
Technical
Following the Conference on the Game which was held in Auckland earlier in the year, a number of recommendations made at that time were considered by the Technical Committee and have been approved by Council
* The scrum should remain a contest, and there was need for research and experimentation into the production of a set of protocols for the technical management of scrums. These protocols to be used for the education of a variety of stakeholders.
*The present line-out law which allows for a contest for possession should be encouraged within the Law. The positional play of referees needed to be addressed in terms of best practice.
* The tackle and ruck areas should allow for a contest of possession. There should be an educational programme for stakeholders covering, inter alia, tackle management, communication by the referee and zero tolerance for tacklers who do not move away.
* A review into the awarding of penalty kicks at goal for purely technical offences
* Research into injuries following collapsed mauls. The need to tighten up the application of the Law relating to binding in the maul, obstruction, joining the maul and bringing it to ground
* Monitoring the application of the advantage Law
* Investigation into the different ways of regulating the taking of quick tap penalties and free kicks, particularly when they are close to the goal line
* The need to develop an injury surveillance system
* A review of the composition of the Referee Selection Committee
Election of Vice Chairman and Committee Chairmen
Bob Tuckey (Australia) - IRB Vice Chairman
Jock Hobbs (New Zealand) - Executive Committee Member and Chairman, Game Regulations
Bill Beaumont (England) - Chairman, Technical Committee
Bob Tuckey and Bill Beaumont have also been appointed Directors of Rugby World Cup Ltd.
For further information contact:
Chris Rea
Head of Communications
International Rugby Board
Tel: +353-1-240-9209
Fax: +353-1-240-9201
Mob: +353-872-498-019
Email: Chris.Rea@irb.com
Web: www.irb.com
These fault lines included the release of the best players for international matches, the widening gap between the wealthy nations and the financially disadvantaged countries and the need for collective responsibility amongst the leading nations. Dr. Millar said that he was greatly heartened by the positive response to these issues expressed in the Council meetings. ' A number of the decisions taken reflect the desire of the major nations to help the less well off', he said. He felt that the role of the IRB in this regard was crucial - 'Each of us must recognise and respect the authority of the IRB as the governing body for the sport'.
Dr. Millar also recognised the need for change within the Board. Referring to the Governance Working Party which is undertaking a root and branch review of the way in which the IRB is governed he said, ' I am very hopeful that this review will bear fruit. There is unanimity within the Council that the IRB must be a strong, united and respected world body, leading the game. What is certain is that, in a changing world,we cannot afford to stand still. Change we must and change we will.'
Governance
The general proposals outlined by the Working Party and the creation of a new governance model were accepted in principle by the Council. It was also agreed to empower the Executive Committee comprising Syd Millar( IRB Chairman), Bob Tuckey (Vice Chairman), Jacques Laurans(Treasurer), Mike Miller(Chief Executive Officer) Bill Beaumont and Jock Hobbs , to consider and make decisions which would enable the proposals to be finalised in time for the Interim Meeting of the Council in November.
The work programme includes the following -
* Commence review of the global season
* Review measures to address the competitiveness of Tier 1 and Tier 2 countries
* Finalise the updating of the IRB strategic plan
* Develop codes and policies framework
* Draft proposed Law changes to empower the Executive Committee
* Draft final report and circulate for consideration by September 2004
Membership Applications
It was agreed that Armenia, Rwanda, Mauritius, Burundi, Mali, Ghana, Togo and Tanzania be admitted to the IRB as Associate members.
The total membership of the IRB is as follows -
Unions in full membership - 95
Unions in associate membership - 11
Regions in full membership - 1
Regions in associate membership/observer status - 3
Player Movement
As a result of the recent changes in employment law in a large number of rugby playing territories throughout the world, the IRB will be conducting a review of those changes to assess the potential impact on the international game.
International Matches & Tours
The schedule of international matches was agreed in principle for the period between 2006 and 2012. In devising the schedule the Committee worked to the criteria agreed by the Council, the objectives of which were to harmonise the international matches between the member Unions; to develop the professional and amateur game world wide; to enhance the role and the revenue generation by the major Unions.
It was confirmed that the Pacific Island XV would play South Africa in July in Australia.
Wellington was confirmed as the venue for the Samoa v Scotland game in June.
Approval was given for a match between Wales and South Africa in Cardiff in November.
Approval given for matches between Italy and New Zealand in Rome in November, and between the Barbarians and New Zealand at Twickenham in November.
Law Amendments
It was agreed to move to a four year cycle for Law changes although the opportunity will exist to amend the Law when necessary.
Referees
A thorough review of the Referees Elite Management plan will be undertaken in order to further improve the performance of the elite referees. There will also be increased dialogue between the IRB Referee Manager and the Union Referee Development Managers to enhance the development of panel referees.
The Referee Selection panel will be - David Pickering (Wales) (Chairman), Dick Byres (Australia), Stephen Hilditch (Ireland), Riccardo Bordcoch (Argentina), Kees Blas (Netherlands) and a former international coach, to be appointed after consultation with Unions. The involvement of a former coach was consistent with the views expressed at the Conference on the Game in Auckland.
Game Regulations
Eligibility
It was agreed that proposals should be submitted at the Interim Meeting in November aimed at modifying the existing eligibility regulations. Particular emphasis will be placed on investigating the opportunities of assisting the countries in Tier 2 and below.
Anti Doping
A WADA compliant Anti Doping regulation was approved, and is scheduled to become effective on 1st June 2004
Regulation 9
As a result of the formation of the Pacific Island team, there is the following amendment to Regulation 9 in respect of player release. The amendment will also apply to the British and Irish Lions.
9.6 'For the purposes of regulations 9.1, 9.2, 9.3 and 9.4, the phrases 'Union', 'National Representative Team' and 'National Squad' shall be deemed to include the British and Irish Lions and the Combined Team of the Pacific Island Unions' (Fiji, Samoa and Tonga)
Technical
Following the Conference on the Game which was held in Auckland earlier in the year, a number of recommendations made at that time were considered by the Technical Committee and have been approved by Council
* The scrum should remain a contest, and there was need for research and experimentation into the production of a set of protocols for the technical management of scrums. These protocols to be used for the education of a variety of stakeholders.
*The present line-out law which allows for a contest for possession should be encouraged within the Law. The positional play of referees needed to be addressed in terms of best practice.
* The tackle and ruck areas should allow for a contest of possession. There should be an educational programme for stakeholders covering, inter alia, tackle management, communication by the referee and zero tolerance for tacklers who do not move away.
* A review into the awarding of penalty kicks at goal for purely technical offences
* Research into injuries following collapsed mauls. The need to tighten up the application of the Law relating to binding in the maul, obstruction, joining the maul and bringing it to ground
* Monitoring the application of the advantage Law
* Investigation into the different ways of regulating the taking of quick tap penalties and free kicks, particularly when they are close to the goal line
* The need to develop an injury surveillance system
* A review of the composition of the Referee Selection Committee
Election of Vice Chairman and Committee Chairmen
Bob Tuckey (Australia) - IRB Vice Chairman
Jock Hobbs (New Zealand) - Executive Committee Member and Chairman, Game Regulations
Bill Beaumont (England) - Chairman, Technical Committee
Bob Tuckey and Bill Beaumont have also been appointed Directors of Rugby World Cup Ltd.
For further information contact:
Chris Rea
Head of Communications
International Rugby Board
Tel: +353-1-240-9209
Fax: +353-1-240-9201
Mob: +353-872-498-019
Email: Chris.Rea@irb.com
Web: www.irb.com