Packages were being offered to staff “to bring the union’s structure in line with its strategy and to give the business a chance to continue as a sustainable economic entity”
THE GRIQUALAND West Rugby Union (GWRU) has confirmed that it will offer voluntary severance packages to all administrative staff following a management meeting on Saturday.
According to the president of the GWRU, Jannie Louw, only staff not directly involved with the team will be affected.
This follows just two days after the DFA reported on a social media post that Griqualand West rugby was moving out of Kimberley. The tweet, posted by Radio Teemaneng Stereo station manager, Garth Damerell, read: “Kimberley soon to lose Griquas Rugby. Already selling stadium. No more provincial rugby in the Northern Cape.”
At the time Louw vehemently refuted claims that the union might be lost to Kimberley or sold to outside interests.
However, following the management meeting on Saturday, Louw said that packages were being offered to staff “to bring the union’s structure in line with its strategy and to give the business a chance to continue as a sustainable economic entity”.
The DFA last week reported that rumours about the relocation of the Griquas provincial side had been doing the rounds since early this year, with sources even suggesting that the union might relocate to Upington.
Sources also indicated that sections of the property at the stadium have already been sold, including the practice field as well as the public parking space on the south and western sides of the facility. It appears as if several other cost-cutting measures have also been implemented.
At the time Louw stated that the union was, like any other business, looking at the best options to successfully manage its operations.
