Western Province Rugby lost one of its most loyal servants when CEO Rob Wagner took long leave this week ahead of his retirement.

Western Province Rugby lost one of its most loyal servants when CEO Rob Wagner took long leave this week ahead of his retirement.

Over the last 25 years Mr Wagner has poured his heart and soul into the wellbeing of the union, starting out as Marketing Manager in 1991, then moving on to Director of Development and then Managing Director of WP Rugby in 1997 before being appointed Group CEO for both the WPRFU, Western Province Rugby (Pty) Ltd and the DHL Stormers.

In that time Mr Wagner has overseen the transition between the amateur and professional eras, and helped grow the brand into one of the biggest in world rugby.

Mr Wagner addressed the media this week following the announcement of his long leave, and explained that the time is right for him to move on as the union stands on the cusp of an exciting new era.

“For me, Western Province Rugby has always come first, second and third. I will always want the best for Western Province Rugby.

“We have embarked on a strategic way forward called Towards 2020, secondly the President also introduced a climate survey of Western Province Rugby which has just been completed.

“There is a new era coming up, so if I look at Towards 2020, the climate survey and the group of young players under a new coach the timing is perfect for me to step back, because Province does come first.

“It is very exciting what lies ahead – the structures are in place, the leadership is in place and there is a new era of players and coaching staff which requires someone new at the helm,” he said.

Having represented the union as a player between 1973 and 1985, Mr Wagner has always been considered a ‘true Province man’, and he said that to be able to serve the union for so long has been a privilege which he has not taken lightly.

“I have had an incredible journey, it has been a privilege which I have never taken for granted.

“I have been blessed and I want to thank the President and the executive committee, I want to thank the board, and I want to thank the clubs for their support.

“We have a marvellous club structure in Western Province Rugby, they are the bedrock of Western Province Rugby,” he said.

Mr Wagner revealed that although his long leave was meant to take effect earlier, he had asked WPRFU President Mr Thelo Wakefield for one last game, and was given the perfect send-off when the DHL Stormers beat the Vodacom Bulls 33-9 in front of over 40 000 supporters at DHL Newlands.

“I spoke to the President and it was going to be earlier, but I wanted to stay for the Bulls, I just had a good feeling about the Bulls game, and I thought that if I could stop there with a good, solid victory over the Bulls what better gift could there be?”

Mr Wakefield paid tribute to Mr Wagner’s commitment and loyalty over a remarkable career.

“After accumulating 240 days of leave, and bearing in mind that Rob has served the union for 25 years without taking leave, Rob approached me about taking long leave and I thought that it is the opportune time to send him on leave.

“The board unanimously agreed that it is a wise move to send him on leave and let him rest,” he said.