This note is for your attention and information; our current Council Member Roger Pierson completes his
term of office on 31st July 2026 and arrangements need to be put in place to elect a successor.
In accordance with RFU Regulation 3 ECRU will be conducting a ballot to ensure that we are transparent
with this process – the timelines and details are as follows:
- General notification to prospective Candidates – this will be publicised during January 2026.
- Further information including the Nomination Form will be sent out on 2nd February with a closing
date of 1st March 2026. Prospective Candidates MUST apply for and return a Nomination Form, duly
and properly countersigned, to : chair@ecrurugby.com by the closing date – Nomination Forms
received after this date will not be valid. - Following this date Voting Forms will be sent to qualifying EC Clubs on 3rd March 2026 and must be
completed and returned by 15th March 2026 to chair@ecrurugby.com – this date then allows us
sufficient time for the EC Management Committee to take a decision ONLY in the event of a tie in
voting (Rule 18.12). All prospective Candidates will be asked to submit a ‘Campaign Statement’ of
no more than 500 words – this will be included in the Voting Form – additional material sent direct
to Clubs will not be permitted in the interests of fairness.
The counting of properly completed and returned Voting Forms will be conducted by the Chair of
ECRU in the presence of two observers immediately following the return date. - The announcement of the successful Candidate must be notified to the RFU by 1st. April 2026, again
to comply with the Regulations – at this point notification to EC qualifying Clubs will also be
announced. - A copy of the relevant RFU Regulation that covers this process can be requested.
Harriet Walachowski
Chair, Eastern Counties Rugby Union, 20th January 2026
