Shift for Dobson in new Stormers/WP leadership structure

John Dobson’s role with the DHL Stormers and Western Province has been shifted to that of Director of Rugby, with Johan le Roux of the majority shareholding company filling the vacant CEO position with immediate effect.

The red tape to the deal with Red Disa Consortium, who now have a 74 per cent controlling interest in WP Rugby, was concluded last week, thus paving the way for WP to refresh and modernise as rugby in the Western Cape region takes a major step forward.

In addition to Le Roux, who is a major role player Red Disa as he heads up Fynbos Ekwitiet, WP also announced on Tuesday that Rob Wagner, the former WP and Stormers CEO who boasts a lot of experience in the administration of professional rugby, has been engaged to contribute to operational aspects over an interim period.

The announcements don’t signify any immediate de facto change to how the Stormers/WP management have been operating over the last few months as Le Roux was already liaising and working with Dobson while Wagner has been working with them for some time too.

Dobson’s new designation as director of rugby will not change his role within the senior team, but rather give him the jurisdiction to oversee the WP structures and apply his experience across a broader scope, playing a major central role in the contracting and development of talent through the junior structures.

Dobson said that in his new position he will be responsible for ensuring that the Stormers become a force in world rugby for generations to come.

“My love for this team and the rugby people in this region is well documented,” said Dobson.

The leadership structure at Western Province Rugby has been refreshed with the appointment of Johan le Roux as Chief Executive Officer and John Dobson as Director of Rugby.https://t.co/41ZyDOQyr4

— DHL Stormers (@THESTORMERS) March 26, 2024

“I will continue to put everything in to make our rugby as strong as possible. As director of rugby I will now be looking more broadly at the rugby environment in our organisation and planning for where we want to go, as well as overseeing the current squad and our mission to make Cape Town smile.”

Le Roux said that the appointments signal the start of an exciting new era for the Stormers.

“It is crucial we run a sustainable model which will ensure our strength into the future and we have already made some big steps in that regard in a short space of time,” he said.

“This team has the potential to be a global rugby powerhouse given the talent in the region and the unrivalled love for the game of the supporters. We want to ensure that the business standards match that of the rugby programme and help propel the team to even greater heights.”