Rob Butcher has beaten Ieuan Evans in the contest to become the new chairman of the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU).
Gareth Davies’ reign as chairman came to an end after he lost his place on the governing body’s National Council.
Ex-Wales captain Evans was elected to the council in his place while Butcher has been WRU board member since 2015.
“I intend to fully reward the faith that has been shown in me,” said Butcher, whose rugby roots lie with Bargoed RFC in the Rhymney valley.
He added: “I am genuinely proud and humbled to be appointed and can promise I will give my all to serve our game
“I’m grateful to the board who have put their confidence in me, but I’m also conscious of the significant role Welsh rugby clubs have played in electing me to directly represent them on the WRU Council in the first place.
“I look forward to working with Ieuan Evans, the rest of the board and the executive as we continue to navigate the impact the ongoing pandemic has had on our game.
“We will survive this, but our actions now will determine how quickly we get back up to speed.
“I intend to fully reward the faith that has been shown in me. It has been my privilege to have served the game for the last five years and beyond and I will bring to bear all the experience I have gathered in that time.”
Butcher is also the current chair of the WRU Community Game Board.
He played, led and has been a Bargoed RFC committee member as well as having been a teacher in Merthyr Tydfil.
Bargoed lay second in Welsh rugby’s third-tier Championship when the 2019-20 season was halted by the of coronavirus pandemic.
Interim WRU chief executive Steve Phillips said: “The relationship between a CEO and the chair is a crucial one in all businesses, but is particularly important to Welsh rugby because of the unique way in which we serve both the professional and community game and because the game means so much to our nation.
“Rob has shown throughout the current election process that he has the very best interests of Welsh rugby at heart and I look forward to forging a strong partnership in the weeks and months ahead in order to realise the WRU’s vision for the future of our game.”
Butcher has become the WRU’s fifth chairman of the professional era following Vernon Pugh QC, Glanmor Griffiths, David Pickering and Davies.
Article courtesy of BBC Sport
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