Chief executive of Rugby Football Union (RFU) Ian Ritchie has made the announcement that he will end his tenure and will take retirement at the end of the 2017 summer.
Ritchie is now 63-year-old and he joined the RFU in 2012. During his tenure of five years, he has seen many titles for the team this includes Six Nations Grand Slam men’s teams and in 2014 World Cup title for the women’s team.
According to William Hill, the team are favourites to win the next Six Nations tournament too!
While sharing this news Ritchie said, “Rugby is a sport that is special to me and the one which is really hard to leave. I feel honored and privileged that I have been the part of this wonderful team and got the opportunity to lead the team.”
He further added that, “I am proud to work with many passionate, committed and talented teams at each and every level of the union and of the game.”
Prior to heading RFU, Ritchie was headed the All England Club (AEC).
After the announcement of retirement, RFU intends to find the replacement of Ritchie by the end of the 2017 summer.
Mark McCafferty in an interview shared his feeling on the retirement of Ritchie and said, “He has contributed a lot in the development of team in past five years, he is the person, we feel like doing business with him. During his tenure, he maintained a good balance between country and club.”
“Though, we haven’t met personally for more time, but we have a good amount of sharing and business between us, and this is the way the English system has to work.”
The complete working period of Ritchie with RFU was good and he never let the team face any disappointment except a couple of times. The team will miss his working period surely.