14th June 2005

Heriot’s Rugby Club has, as you know, proposed Andy Irvine for the next President of the SRU. You will have received a letter from Hillhead Jordanhill encouraging your club to vote for George Blackie. In order to ensure that you have a balanced debate on the 2 candidates I am writing to you set out the reasons why I believe that Andy is the right choice.
This last season has been probably the worst year for Scottish Rugby from a playing and governance aspect. However change is starting, the new governance structure has been agreed, new league structures will hopefully be agreed at the AGM and there are some encouraging signs on the playing side. On the back of the new governance there has been excellent candidates putting themselves forward as representatives for nearly all the council positions. With this platform and the general view that we must move forward, it is vital that we have a dynamic and charismatic leader to drive this change through. Additionally we must show to the clubs, players, sponsors, government and public that this is a new beginning. To achieve this we need someone who has not been involved in the old structure.
I strongly believe that Andy Irvine is the right person to fill this role. I have listed a number of points below that illustrate this.

· We need a clear change from old committee to show that this is a new beginning; the clubs, players, sponsors, government and public will not believe there has been a change unless we have new faces.
· We need someone who everyone looks up to, respects and who will lead the SRU through this first year of the new structure.
· We need someone who has a balance of rugby and business. Andy is executive chairman of Jones Lang DaSalle, one of the top property agents in the world.
· We need someone who is passionate about Scottish Rugby at all levels.
· Andy has experience of rugby at all levels from mini rugby to Lions, from playing to coaching to administration including a short time on the SRU executive.
· Andy is well known in the world of rugby and he has excellent contacts in all the major rugby playing countries.
· Although he recognises the importance of the International and Pro teams, he especially wants to strengthen the domestic game.
If you have any queries please contact me either on [email protected] or on my mobile 07836 355 951. I would urge your club to vote for Andy Irvine as the next President of the SRU at the AGM on the 24th June.

Jock Millican
President Heriot’s Rugby Club

This article was posted on 14-Jun-2005, 12:33 by Hugh Barrow.