SA Rugby president Mark Alexander has praised the latest internal audit of the Strategic Transformation Development Plan 2030 (STDP 2030), highlighting the sport’s steady progress.
The STDP 2030 addresses all aspects of rugby, including procurement, governance, staffing, committees, and team demographics.
“Overall, I am very happy with our performance,” Alexander stated. “The Provincial Unions have shown tremendous commitment, meeting their self-determined targets. While team demographics present challenges in some areas, the pathways are becoming more inclusive, which bodes well for the future.
“Transformation is a journey, and watching rugby at all levels reveals our on-field progress. However, the STDP 2030 also advances diversity and inclusion off the field, focusing on access to the game, skills development, demographic representation, community development, social responsibility, and corporate governance.
“Our national teams, particularly under Rassie Erasmus’s leadership, have made groundbreaking strides. We have demographic targets for the Springboks, but we also prioritize
performance, and we are successfully advancing on both fronts.
“Despite some misleading media headlines, our organization has a comprehensive view of the state of play. Inclusion is just as crucial as diversity; it ensures that everyone is treated equally and has a voice in the team environment.
“We are committed to fostering an inclusive culture where every player, regardless of their background, feels valued and heard. The Springboks represent the best players available each year, reflecting the funnel of available talent and the progress we are making in creating opportunities and new heroes for every community.
“The Springbok team has positively contributed to social cohesion in our country. The recent honorary doctorate awarded to Rassie Erasmus was well-deserved, as he understands what it means to be a South African. He selects players based on their contributions to the team and their commitment to one another.
“The STDP is an ongoing process with a goal of completion by 2030. The annual reports serve to measure progress, celebrate successes, and identify areas for improvement.”
Source: SaRugbyMag
