The Hong Kong Rugby Union (HKRU) held its Annual General Meeting on 30 July night at the Hong Kong Jockey Club in Happy Valley.

In a change to its corporate structure approved at an Extraordinary General Meeting held earlier this month, the positions of HKRU Secretary and Director of Clubs were dissolved in favour of two new General Directors roles which were contested at the Annual General Meeting by four highly qualified candidates.

The Director General roles feature varied term limits in their year of introduction, three years for Director General 1 and two years for Director General 2. In future years, all positions will be for three year terms. In this way the board positions will be up for election evenly across an election cycle to ensure a healthy mix of experience and fresh talent. Mr Fred Au and Ms Kim Lam were elected as Director General 1 and Director General 2 respectively.

Two other positions were also elected on the same night, Director of Finance and Director of Laws & Referees.

Mr Peter White defeated incumbent Director of Laws & Referees Mr Nigel Francis in last night's balloting while Mr Patrick Donovan, previous Director of Clubs, ran unopposed for the Director of Finance role vacated by Mr Grant Jamieson who had been in the position for six years, the statutory limit for incumbent Board members.

The previous HKRU Secretary, Mr Martin Kibble has stepped down after serving on the Board for six years including four years as Secretary preceded by a two-year term as Director of Laws & Referees. Mr Kibble will continue in his role as Manager of the National men's Sevens team.

All other existing Director positions remained in place with the composition of the Board remaining at ten members going forward.

HKRU Board:
Pieter Schats : Chairman
Fred Au : Director General 1*
Kim Lam : Director General 2*
Peter White : Director of Laws & Referees*
Patrick Donovan : Director of Finance**
Kevin Taylor : Director of Coaching
Kenneth Au : Director of Marketing
Ruth Mitchell : Director of Development
Anson Bailey : Director of Facilities
Case Everaert : Director of Youth
* Newly elected on 30 July
** Previously Director of Clubs

Mr Pieter Schats, Chairman of the Hong Kong Rugby Union commented on the successful Annual General Meeting saying, "The HKRU would like to thank Grant Jamieson, Martin Kibble and Nigel Francis for their long-standing support and service to Hong Kong Rugby. We also congratulate and welcome Kim Lam, Fred Au and Peter White as our newest representatives on a Board that continues to reflect the diversity of our rugby community.