EP Rugby dealt another big blow

Watson vows to keep academy going following reports that Saru will withdraw funding

THE Eastern Province Rugby Union say they are committed to ensuring that the Kings Academy will remain operational despite reports that the SA Rugby Union (Saru) are planning to cut their funding.

EP president Cheeky Watson was reacting to reports that Saru had decided to withdraw funding for the academy in Port Elizabeth following the ending of Lotto funding.

“I find it most disconcerting that we are once again reading about our future in the newspapers,” he said.

Watson said the issue of funding being withdrawn from the academy was either gross speculation on the media’s part or Saru had acted irresponsibly in communicating information to the press without first informing those directly affected by the decisions being made.

He said it was his understanding that Saru was revisiting the business model of the academies as the funding from the Lotto had come to an end, but he had not been informed that the Kings Academy funding would be terminated.

“Irrespective, we as EP Rugby will ensure that our academy is sustainable and continues to produce top calibre players as it has already done, even if we have to build, develop and fight for transformation on our own.”

Watson said the academy was initially established by EP Rugby prior to Saru funding, as a cornerstone to develop up-and-coming local talent, with a strong focus on transformation. -George Byron