Premiership Rugby launches Sporting Commission after difficult season
Premiership Rugby has announced the launch of a Sporting Commission with the aim of transforming the way the organisation operates.
The commission is made up of seven people, with Nigel Melville as chair and includes Premiership Rugby chief executive Simon Massie-Taylor and director Phil Winstanley.
Women in Football director Jane Purdon, Ministry of Justice board member Mark Rawlinson, financial services executive Carys Williams and former England captain Tom Wood make up the rest of the group.
The panel have delegated authority from Premiership Rugby to make decisions and impose sanctions in accordance with their regulations.
The commission, as part of its remit, will rule over matters including season structure, regulations and player loading.
The formation of the panel comes after a difficult financial year for the league that saw three teams (Worcester Warriors, Wasps and London Irish) enter administration.
“Landmark moment”
Massie-Taylor believes it is a massive moment for the league and bodes well for the future of Premiership Rugby.
“Launching the Sporting Commission is a landmark moment for Premiership Rugby as we transform our ways of working,” Massie-Taylor said
“Improving our governance structures with independent thinking and scrutiny is key to strong foundations and our future success.
“Having already met as a group, it is clear that the energy and expertise of our independent experts will help Premiership Rugby deliver change.”
Meanwhile, Melville outlined the goal of the commission, to improve decision-making.
“Putting together this innovative new group has been possible thanks to the efforts and support of our Premiership Rugby clubs.
“Our goal has always been to strengthen our governance and make internal decision-making more agile, whilst also bringing about greater independence to any contentious issues.”
The group is expected to meet eight times or more a year with quarterly updates to being given to the investor board.
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