The NSW Waratahs have confirmed that Chairman Roger Davis will not stand for election and retire from his position at the end of the month, replaced by Tony Crawford.
Davis, who has served as Waratahs and NSW Rugby Chairman since 2015, made the announcement on Monday.
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“A new CEO is in place, the search is underway for a new head coach, we have a young and talented team showing all the signs of a great future ahead of them and our Centre of Excellence is about to begin construction,” Davis said.
“As Chairman I’ve been able to oversee all of this and other major milestones at NSW Rugby, including the Waratahs making two semi-finals and winning the Super Rugby Championship in 2014, negotiating the merger of the NSW and Waratah boards and securing the financial future of the organisation.
“While rugby has faced some serious headwinds over the last few years, I think at club and state level, NSW is at the beginning of a new and sustained period of success.”
Davis has come under heavy external pressure over the past 12 months following a nightmare period for the Waratahs, going winless throughout Super Rugby AU.
NSWRU CEO Paul Doorn thanked Davis for his services to the organisation and the sport.
"Roger has achieved so much as a player, in business and as a Chairman and NSW Rugby has benefitted from his dedication to the game over the last four decades,” Doorn said.
“He is passionate about rugby and has made a considerable contribution to the game and we, as a Board and an organisation, thank him and wish him well for the future.”
He will be replaced by former Norths boss Tony Crawford, who has been a director of the NSWRU since 2018
“It is an honour to be elected as Chairman at a time when we are going through so many changes at the Waratahs and I see improving the alignment of rugby in NSW, from the grassroots to the professional level as one of our highest priorities,” he said.
Outgoing Chairman Davis welcomed Crawford’s appointment, believing that he has the necessary skills to turn around the club.
“Tony has enormous experience in business and rugby and has just the right skill set to lead NSW Rugby in the coming years. His experience will be invaluable as we negotiate the pathway to success,” Davis added.
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