Rugby Canada Announces Board Governance Review in conjunction with Strategic Plan Overhaul through 2018

The Board of Directors have reviewed and approved the recommendation of its Governance Committee for the formation of a sub-committee to review the Board’s composition, role, size and function. The sub- committee will be comprised of project lead and Rugby Canada Board Member, Doug Campbell; Rugby Canada Board member Sally Dennis; and thought leaders Doug Manning from British Columbia, and David Fortier from Ontario. Rugby Canada Board Member, Maria Samson will support the review by providing a review of the broader Canadian Sport landscape for governance practices and insights. The sub-committee will also be supported by Rugby Canada’s Chief Executive Officer, Allen Vansen, as well as other members of the management team, and an external consultant familiar with the Canadian sport system.

The committee will review and provide recommendations on the applicability of the current Carver Governance Model (policy board), including;

- the skills and experiences required by board members;
- the current board’s size and composition;
- effectiveness of collaborations between the Rugby Canada’s Board and other governance structures such as the Canadian Rugby Foundation, and any Special Event boards or committees;
- the director’s roles in fundraising and corporate sponsorship;
- the review of future governance and oversight of professional rugby in Canada.

“Rugby Canada’s governance must adapt to the changing environment, including its approach toward professional rugby in North America, the increasing complexity of event management, and the need for greater transparency for our stakeholders,” stated Tim Powers, Chair of Rugby Canada’s Board of Directors. “Like most National Sport Federations in Canada, Rugby Canada faces the ongoing challenge of serving the amateur athlete while responding to the increasing growth and professionalization of the sport globally,” added Powers.

Rugby Canada’s current board is comprised of fourteen (14) elected members; two player representative directors, five provincial representative directors, seven skills-based directors. In addition to the elected directors, there are four board observers who participate in most governance activities.

“When it comes to the oversight and delivery of rugby in Canada, it is absolutely critical that we build trust and confidence with our member and stakeholder community,” stated Allen Vansen, Chief Executive Officer. “As we conduct a comprehensive overhaul of Rugby Canada’s strategic plan to guide our growth and development for the next 4-8 years, conducting a governance review is a critical step towards a strong future for Canadian Rugby,” added Vansen.

In reviewing all aspects of Rugby Canada’s governance structure, the committee will present a paper summarizing issues and options for consideration by the board at the board’s next in-person board meeting at the end of September, 2018. The board will then seek further input from the Provincial Rugby Unions with a target to begin implementation of any governance changes starting at the Fiscal 2018 Annual General Meeting in April 2019.

“I look forward to working with the members of the committee and engaging with our strong and passionate fan base in leading this governance review process,” stated Doug Campbell, Chair of the review committee.

“This process will be grounded in community engagement, and will consider the latest approaches that are being successfully implemented by other leading rugby nations and Canadian sport federations,” added Campbell.