Contenders limber up to be SRU president

THE race to take over as SRU president comes down to the wire at Murrayfield today with a famous British Lion captain taking on a champion of Scottish clubs at the annual general meeting.

The role of president does not carry the same weight as it did pre-2005 and the change of governance, however, with the incumbent Jim Stevenson only arriving back last night from the British and Irish Lions tour in South Africa it remains a key figurehead role within Scottish rugby.

There are three very different candidates vying for the position this time around – Stevenson, a Glasgow club man, former British and Irish Lions captain Finlay Calder and Jim Gracie, a player and administrator over more than 40 years from Hawick and then Alloa who was part of the old general committee that forced the governance change.

Andy Irvine was the first president under the new structure, but after he held the role for two years Scottish rugby clubs voted in 2007 to switch back to a familiar club rugby figure in George Jack. Last year, the clubs again opted against a familiar face, with former Scotland skipper Peter 'PC' Brown being beaten by both Jack and newcomer Stevenson in the first round of votes and Stevenson then winning outright.

He has endured a torrid year within Murrayfield, however, stemming from the Scottish Rugby Council he joined failing to elect him as their chairman, with its right of ascension to the executive 'Scottish Rugby Board'. Both Jack and Irvine held this position, but Stevenson found himself manoeuvred out of it by a long-standing committee man Malcolm Gillies. Stevenson was allowed to attend board meetings, but Gillies, a representative of national league clubs, remained the council's representative. He has also been the second-highest remunerated board member, behind only Munro. Munro picked up 35,000 for his chairmanship role, while Gillies was paid 30,500 last year – 12,500 for attending board meetings and representing the council and 18,000 for attending Six Nations meetings on the board's behalf.

So, there is a bit of fire in Stevenson's bid to be re-elected. In his short CV and appeal to clubs for election, he stated: "In standing for a second term it would be my intention to seek a way to ensure that clubs' views are heard more clearly, that the process for reviewing the board is improved and that discussions and debate on these subjects takes place more openly with clubs.

"Our success in international rugby at all levels and at providing practical help to the clubs falls a good way short. We urgently need to adapt, develop and grow and I believe the top priorities should be to alter the focus to better support the club rugby scene; improve management and governance systems so that the SRU becomes more receptive to the views of clubs and stakeholders; review the union's expenditure in more detail, to get more money into the rugby end; maximise scarce club funding by developing additional income and savings; make greater, more co-ordinated efforts to attract, train and retain more players and volunteers; and to reshape structures, leagues, competitions, pathways, youth rugby, the academy and a third pro-team to better assist clubs, players and officials."

He has had serious altercations with Munro, and with three motions being put forward at today's AGM focused on changing the council representation on the board, and rights of the president, the board chairman has submitted a letter to the AGM from Sheriff Bill Dunlop, who chaired the working party into governance, backing his assertion that Stevenson had no right to become chairman of the council and so secure a seat on the board.

Hoping to benefit from any controversy over the perceived politicking of Stevenson is Calder, who has refused to be drawn into any discussions even on where he believes Scottish rugby needs to change or improve. While Stevenson carried out 220 duties as president in his first year, while holding down a full-time at Glasgow City Council, the Grand Slam-winning Scotland flanker is keen to become more of an ambassador.

In his statement, he said: "I have a dream for Scottish rugby founded upon England's visit to Croke Park two years ago, when, despite the tragic history, the Irish nation welcomed the English team and their supporters to the home of Gaelic football, as friends.

"National anthems were respected, goal-kicks taken in silence, and the Irish team ran England off the park! Ireland have set the highest standards to which we must aspire both on and off the field. If we all pull together from the schools all the way through the clubs, the referees, the supporters and the executive, then it can and will be done."

The outsider Gracie merely outlined his background in rugby and business in his CV, with no statement on his intentions once in office. The other motions to be voted on by the 214 clubs represented at Murrayfield today are a plan for a new league championship structure, which ends the league season in early April, the integration of school and club youth XVs into one league structure, allowance of players to be registered for two clubs, integration of the Scottish Women's Rugby Union into the SRU and increased travel grants for non-mainland clubs.

Non-executive director's fees in 2008-9: Allan Munro 35,000; Jock Millican 19,500; Gordon Bulloch 10,000; Donald Emslie 10,000; Ed Crozier 12,500; Archie Ferguson 22,000; Jim Fleming 23,820; Malcolm Gillies 30,500; George Jack 2,500; George Clark 2,500; Brian Kennedy Nil; Graeme Millar 1,250. IRB representative: Bill Nolan 15,000

JIM STEVENSON (Cambuslang RFC)

"IT'S been a privilege and pleasure to serve Scottish rugby and in particular to meet the volunteers who are the vital cornerstone of the game.

During my year as a volunteer, I've endeavoured to visit a large number of clubs throughout Scotland and the Exiles, and to represent their best interests. I've sought to undertake my duties successfully at all times – in the important ambassadorial role, but equally in the less glamorous area of SRU committee rooms.

My commitment and passion extend over four decades as player, coach, committee member, club president, district board member and SRU Council member. My day job includes the management of 160 staff, requiring the leadership, financial and team-working skills so important to the office of president.

My year in office has proved an interesting learning experience! With your backing, I am now considerably better-armed to deliver tangible benefits to Scottish rugby this year."

FINLAY CALDER (Daniel Stewart's and Melville College FP RFC)

"BORN into a rugby-playing family in Haddington in 1957, was first introduced to the game of rugby football by my father Robin at the age of six. From those early years I have remained heavily involved with the game at all levels. Whilst at Daniel Stewart's and Melville College, played for Scotland at schoolboy level, before entering a career in senior rugby, firstly with Melrose and then Stewart's Melville FPs.

Out of the FP club, amidst some very fine players, went on to captain Edinburgh, Barbarians, Scotland and the British lions in 1988-89. Following retirement from international rugby in 1991, continued to play down to the club's 2rd XV, till the age of 40.

Since then I have helped coach at Gala and Edinburgh Academicals and also on a mentoring level with Gregor Townsend's project.

Services to rugby football was recognised with being awarded the OBE in 1990.

JIMMIE GRACIE (Alloa RFC)

IN A career spanning more than 40 years I graduated from factory-floor technician, via periods in product design, production/sales and general management, to executive director level.

Ultimately, I established and successfully developed my own business, Callant of Scotland (Knitwear) Ltd, achieving enterprise awards for the company in both 1990 and 1991.

The sourcing of fabrics, raw materials and plat/machinery involved extensive overseas travel, including to the USA, Canada, Israel, India, Switzerland, Germany, Italy, Cyprus, Romania, Portugal and Mongolia.

I also served as a voluntary board member of Alloa & Clackmannanshire Enterprise for four years (1992-96) and, although retiring in 2008, continue to serve as a support volunteer to Clackmannanshire District Council.