An agreement has been reached with the existing Rugby Ohio Board of Directors and USA Youth & High School to open elections for the Board and start a process to change the by-laws to be in compliance with World Rugby’s Regulation 6e.
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Following is the official combined statement from Rugby Ohio, the faction driving change within the state, and USA Youth and High School:
Rugby Ohio (RO) and USA Youth and High School Rugby (YHS) are pleased to jointly announce amendments to the RO Bylaws and Articles to enable Rugby Clubs/ Programs to be the voting members of RO and for democratic elections to be held immediately. The process will be undertaken by RO and overseen by YHS. The time frame for the election is:
Nominations to stand for Director’s elections: 1/17-1/24 Submission of Designated Elector Names: 1/17-1/24 Certification of Nominees and Electors: 1/24-1/27 Election: 1/27-1/29
The board will be a total of 9 members, 3 elected Regional Reps (North, Central, South), 3 At Large Age Group Reps (HS, MS, Youth) and 3 existing Board members for continuity to be replaced by 3 elected regional community reps at the end of the current term on August 31, 2025.
Chris Northup, President of RO commented “I want to thank my existing Board for the hard work over the past month in reaching a conclusion that I believe meets the needs expressed by our Rugby programs. We have appreciated working with YHS who have helped with their experience in governance both as an organization and with other State Based Youth Organizations across the USA.”
“This is a solution that works, and I believe will provide the governance structure that the membership was seeking” said David Pool, President of YHS. “Credit has to be given to the RO Board for putting the membership ahead of any self interest in achieving this goal. I believe this meets the needs that were expressed to YHS from the RO membership – now it’s in all of our hands to stand for election and drive the growth of rugby in Ohio going forward.”
With the changes RO is compliant with the Bylaw requirements of YHS and as contained in the YHS Bylaws. Rugby Ohio is the sole SYRO in Ohio that is a member of YHS and USA Rugby. As the sole sanctioned SYRO, rugby players, coaches and administrators registered through RO get the benefit of accident and liability insurance provided by YHS and USA Rugby.
Chris Northrup
President Rugby Ohio
David Pool
President, USA Youth and High School Rugby
World Rugby Reg 6e says this:
(e) Member Unions must ensure that elections to their governing body(ies) take place pursuant to a free and independent democratic process which conforms with applicable national legislation and the requirements of the Common Association Constitution
