IRB Chief Steps Down

IRB (International Rugby Board) CEO and Rugby World Cup Limited Managing Director Mike Miller will step down from his posts at the end of this month.

In his decade at the head of the IRB and Rugby World Cup Limited, here Miller has overseen significant development in the game.

An official press release praised Miller’s involvement in “three hugely successful Rugby World Cups, viagra the re-inclusion of Rugby into the Olympic Games, viagra the expansion and growth of the HSBC Sevens World Series and the creation of the IRB’s Strategic Investment Programme and Union Fund which have seen an exponential increase in funding to Tier 1 and Tier 2 Unions and emerging major market countries.

Miller has reflected on his own achievements and looked forward to the realisation of his legacy.

“It’s been a fantastic 10 years. It was an honour and a privilege to have been welcomed into the Rugby family and to have worked with so many dedicated and talented Rugby people around the world.

“I have been lucky to have had three excellent chairmen in Vernon Pugh, Syd Millar and Bernard Lapasset and a brilliant staff at the IRB. We have achieved a lot in the last decade.

“Rugby is in a great place as it looks forward to Rugby World Cups in England and Japan, Rugby World Cup Sevens in Moscow, Women’s Rugby World Cup in France and the Olympics in Rio in 2016.

“The Game has grown around the world and with its major events going to Asia and Eastern Europe for the first time the platform has been established for Rugby to become a truly global sport.

“I would like to thank everyone who has contributed to Rugby’s growth and success over the last 10 years and in particular Bernard for his support and vision and Bill Beaumont for his advice and guidance as Vice Chairman over the past four years”.

Miller made the decision to step down after discussions with recently re-elected Chairman Bernard Lapasset.

It was agreed that the beginning of a new four-year cycle following the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand last autumn was a prudent time to end a partnership which has seen the IRB develop and mature.

Lapasset has stated, “Mike has achieved much during his 10 years at the IRB which is a much stronger organisation than when he joined in 2002.

“The Game is in great shape and the IRB is ready to take on the challenges of continuing to grow Rugby around the world and in particular to ensure that the Tier 1 countries are strong and secure, the Tier 2 countries continue to improve and grow, and the emerging major market countries become competitive as soon as possible.

“All of this will be achieved through our strong working relationship with the IRB Regions who are the first point of support and contact for our Unions.”

“Mike will be a hard act to follow. But with my newly re-affirmed four-year mandate, a revamped IRB Executive Committee, a soon to be refreshed Rugby World Cup Board and a vibrant Council and staff we have the tools in place to continue to drive the Game forward”.