New South Wales Rugby Union and the NSW Waratahs have announced a number of structural changes that will bring the two organisations closer together as a result of a Governance Review undertaken by Buildcorp’s Josephine Sukkar earlier this year.

Whilst both the New South Wales Rugby Union and NSW Waratahs Boards will be retained, Waratahs chairman Roger Davis has been appointed Group Chairman until at least the end of 2016 and will oversee the running of both boards, with a single CEO expected to be appointed before the end of the year.

The Waratahs will also retain NSW Rugby’s Super Rugby license for a further five years.

“I am satisfied with the outcome of the Governance review and its pragmatism, and I thank Josephine Sukkar for all her efforts in this regard,” Davis said.

“Certainly the new adopted governance model ends a period of uncertainty associated with the licence extension for the Waratahs, and builds closer ties and pathways between the community and the professional games.”

“As in previous reports into the game, such as the Arbib and Crawford Reports, these findings recognise each organisation’s unique operating model and key success factors; and thus sets up rugby in New South Wales for a very successful and robust future” Davis added.

New South Wales Rugby Union Chairman Nick Farr-Jones echoed Davis’ sentiments, saying that the tweaking of the Boards and extension of the Trademark Licence Agreement would see a closer integration of all rugby stakeholders across the State.

“This has been an exhaustive review process and I would like to express my appreciation to Josephine Sukkar for her time and professionalism in conducting the independent review and providing her recommendations,” Farr-Jones said.

“Given the requirement for Constitutional change to implement the recommended changes and having had in depth discussions with NSW Rugby affiliate board directors and meetings with the affiliates in recent weeks I am confident this newly agreed model will best serve the state and all rugby stakeholders, professional and community for the next five years.”

In further news, current NSWRU Director and Chair of Woman’s Rugby in NSW Kerry Chikarovski has been added to the Waratahs Board effective immediately.