IDRU Annual Report 2012 - Illawarra Rugby

President’s Report contd.
continually surprises with his lateral thinking and methods of improving not only financial
matters but also the manner in which our game is delivered to the clubs and public.
I would also like to thank Scott McKellar who has given great leadership and support to the
Senior Representative program. I recently attended a Saturday meeting of the Junior
representative managers and coaches for 2013 and the professionalism of Scott and Tony's
presentations were excellent.
The season has not passed without controversy, as we are all well aware, and I do know
that clubs want to do the best for their players and supporters and loyalty is a very important
part of our sport. However, I have noticed a tendency to, as I would put it, 'go one bridge too
far'. A great deal of time has been spent on appeals, objections and efforts to appease hurt
feelings. I come from a club background and therefore know how important it is for clubs to
know that there exists an avenue for a wrong to be corrected. I would ask that it be
remembered that all of us are here to do the best for our sport and I have mostly been
impressed that there is generally no animosity or resentment regarding decisions on appeals
and objections. However, there have been times when a decision has unfortunately been
met with animosity which is indeed sad, given the time and effort expended by all parties in
endeavouring to reach a favourable outcome.
There have been occasions when it has been said that the Board is not doing enough for
rugby and I feel this is said without full knowledge of all the facts and specifically, the history
of some matters. It is my belief that it would generally be preferable for approaches and
discussion to take place prior to firing off an opinion by way of email or to the press,
especially when not in full grasp of all the facts. I reiterate I know how passionate people
can be especially when giving their time freely for what they believe to be the good of the
game but I would strongly suggest people 'look before they leap'.
Finally, I thank you all for your support and I know that it is in the minds and hearts of all
officials, players and supporters that our game prosper and it is my belief that we should
always strive to do better and this should always be our common goal.
Peter Woods
President
Illawarra District Rugby Union Inc.
Annual Report 2012 Page 11 of 61