Thursday, 13th August 2009New Constitution Adopted and Executive Elected
New Regional Constitution Adopted and Executive Elected
At a Special Meeting of Member Unions on August 8th 2009, Members unanimously agreed to adopt the new Regional Constitution. The new constitution, sees a change in name for the governing body of rugby union in the region, with North America and West Indies Rugby Association ("NAWIRA") being replaced by North America and Caribbean Rugby Association ("NACRA").
Following the Special Meeting, Members elected a new five man Executive Committee at NACRA's inaugural General Meeting, comprising Bob Latham (USA, President), Pearse Higgins (Canada, Vice President), Dennis Dwyer (Bermuda, Secretary), Miguel Carner (Mexico, Treasurer) and George Nicholson (Barbados, Committee Member). Pearse Higgins was also elected for a further two years as NACRA's IRB Council representative.
Newly Elected Executive Committee of NACRA:
From left to right:
Miguel Carner (Mexico, Treasurer)
Pearse Higgins (Canada, Vice President)
Bob Latham (USA, President)
George Nicholson (Babados, Committee Member)
Dennis Dwyer (Bermuda, Secretary)
In attendance at both Meetings were:
Tom Jones (IRB Regional General Manager)
Pearse Higgins (Rugby Canada & President, NAWIRA)
Dennis Dwyer (Secretary, NAWIRA)
Christopher Nascimento (Treasurer, NAWIRA)
Bob Latham (USA Rugby & NAWIRA)
Niall Brooks (Administration Officer - NAWIRA)
Scott Harland (Regional Development Officer - NAWIRA)
Peter Borland (Bermuda)
Miguel Carner (Mexico)
Guillermo Rodriguez (Mexico)
Jacob Thompson (Jamaica)
Colin Peters (Trinidad & Tobago)
Jacqueline De Freitas (St Vincent and The Grenadines)
Richard Adams (Cayman Islands)
Noel Adonis (Guyana)
Dustyn Molver (British Virgin Islands)
George Nicholson (Barbados)
NAWIRA / NACRA were also pleased to welcome Mike Miller (IRB CEO and Secretary General) and David Carrigy (IRB Head of External and Member Relations) to both meetings.
The new constitution allows for a clear pathway for "new unions" wishing to join and become Associate Member of NACRA, through to full membership of the regional association and Associate Membership of the IRB and ultimately, after a period of time, possible Full membership of the IRB.
The new constitution sub-divides membership into five categories:
Category A: Canada
Category B: USA
Category C: Unions previously in the West Indies Rugby Union and future new Unions.
Category D: Mexico and other future new Unions
Category E: Associate Members
The new constitution will be posted on the website shortly.
EXCO will shortly be updating the nawira.com website to reflect the name change.
