Trinidad and Tobago Rugby Football Union (TTRFU) president Leslie Figaro is calling on the North American and West Indies Rugby Association (NAWIRA) executive to be more transparent and forthcoming with discussions related to the proposal for a common constitution for International Rugby Board (IRB) regional associations.

An area of contention is the lobby for weighted voting, a proposal that will see Canada, Mexico and USA controlling NAWIRA, with the Caribbean member unions having a minority position.

Figaro told ttrfu.com that the TTRFU supports the IRB's proposal for a common constitution but believes it should operate along the lines of the other major world governing bodies and their respective regional bodies, where the process is "one nation, one vote".

"I am extremely disappointed with NAWIRA and the West Indies Rugby Union (WIRU), as they are not engaging their stakeholders in open discussion. The Caribbean may not have the playing and economic strength but we have a long history and tradition, and similar passion and enthusiasm for the sport of rugby. The least we deserve is to be afforded a measure of consideration, dignity and respect. This is not a matter for the NAWIRA executive alone, as there are significant implications for the Caribbean, including the fact that the umbrella organisation (WIRU) will no longer be recognised under the new constitution," said Figaro.

However, he is adamant that any suggestion by NAWIRA that such a fundamental issue as constitutional reform should be conducted under the cover of confidentiality is wrong.

"For years, rugby unions in the Caribbean struggled to change the perception of the sport of rugby. The concerns of all unions must be addressed. Trinidad and Tobago is one of the larger Caribbean unions, should we also insist on weighted voting for ourselves?
"Mexico, with all due respect to them, have now come on the scene. In future years, when Cuba and other Central American nations come on board, what happens? Is this in keeping with the IRB's Olympic aspirations?
"How are the other IRB regional associations dealing with the issue?" Figaro concluded.

Source: Trinidad Express