He said the results would highlight turnover of c.£58.5m which was in line with the WRU’s expectations and recent annual financial performances.
More importantly, there was increased re-investment back into the game for the year ended 30 June 2014; the re-investment into community rugby was c.£7.0m including a facility grant fund of £500,000 and a Participation Points scheme of £750,000.
The figures will be contained in the full annual report of the WRU which is currently being finalised and will be shared with member clubs ahead of the Annual General Meeting in October.
David Pickering’s views were echoed by WRU Group Chief Executive Roger Lewis who said the WRU was continuing to build on its consistent annual level of rugby and financial success.
Pickering said: “These excellent figures confirm that the WRU is continuing to perform in line with its strategic and financial plan.
“Throughout the challenges of the past year the WRU has remained totally committed to a strategy which we know can deliver success for the whole of Welsh rugby.
“I am delighted that this level of success has enabled us to achieve a long term Rugby Services Agreement with our Regions while continuing to fund the community game at a record level.
“It is vitally important that we share this good news with our clubs because they must go forward into the season just started with confidence.
“We have achieved this success by refusing to waver from a strategy which has been agreed by the WRU Board and implemented through the Executive and the passionate workforce which represents rugby in Wales.”
In the past year grassroots rugby remained at the forefront of the WRU priority list. The WRU Board approved a 13% increase in funding to the community rugby to £2.6m per annum for the 2014/15 season. To enhance the community game further a raft of initiatives were carried out aimed at developing the playing and club structure.
Some 3,000 volunteers were trained during the year in WRU schemes focused on improving the skill set of clubs.
The WRU also introduced a new alignment to place Rugby Participation Officers into schools to engage more children with the game and encourage them to go on to join clubs.
Pickering added: “Everyone has the right to criticise the WRU but there are occasions when we have to remind the true supporters of Welsh rugby what a successful organisation we really are.
“That is down in no small part to the thousands of players, coaches, administrators and volunteers who fire up the enthusiasm for rugby in communities across Wales.
“The profit we will declare from the last financial year shows that the business is strong and in the robust shape to meet the challenges and grasp the opportunities which are ahead.
“The Welsh Rugby Union is held in great esteem in the countries of power within the game for both its governance and the success of its administration.
“The Welsh Government have been of great support because they have confidence in our ability to deliver for Wales on many levels. Their support is crucial to help us maintain and develop what is regarded as the best rugby stadium in the world.
“Last year an independent report confirmed that the Millennium Stadium delivers £130m of benefit to the wider economy of Wales each year and we will continue to align our strategies to the Welsh Government to maintain that.
“Our players and management staff dominated the recent successful Lions tour to Australia and that proves that our recruitment and player development pathway are working in harmony.
“Remember that in 2011 we certainly outpunched our weight in the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand. It is no surprise to many that both Wales and New Zealand have been held out as examples by the IRB of nations performing well above expectations in governance, financial performance and on the field of play.
“An example of the support we have amongst fellow rugby nations is the decision by the RFU to allocate eight Rugby World Cup 2015 games including two quarter finals to the Millennium Stadium.
“What a great year ahead we can look forward to and I want as many of our clubs and supporters as possible to share in this.
“There is no doubt looking back across last year that the proposed introduction of a new SWALEC National League structure was a major concern for many clubs.
“But at the Extraordinary General Meeting last June, we had an open, robust and honest debate on that which helped clarify the situation and clear the air.
“The figures I have announced today reflect how our business is run and it is vitally important that our clubs understand we are in a strong position to meet our commitments and continue to grow and develop the game.
“I am honoured to be Chairman of this Welsh Rugby Union and I am proud of what we are achieving and how we can face the future with confidence.
“Along with our Chief Executive, Roger Lewis, and Group Finance Director, Steve Phillips, I will soon be revealing a lot more detail to the clubs on these issues but I want everyone to know that the success we have built on in recent years is continuing apace and long may it continue.”
The Group Chief Executive of the WRU, Roger Lewis, said: “These results are a credit to everyone involved in Welsh rugby.
“The figures give an accurate reflection of the focus we have been able to maintain on achieving lasting and meaningful success.
“Sport is a challenging environment and we have worked hard to remain committed to running the business well.
“We concentrate on delivering for the community game, the elite game and the maintenance and development of our Millennium Stadium.
“In business sometimes you have to face up to the challenges and criticisms in order to keep your priorities front of mind and just get on with it.
“We have negotiated a strong agreement with the Regions which will help them achieve their aims and serve to keep the whole of Welsh rugby strong.
“Throughout the negotiation for the new RSA we remained adamant that our distribution levels into the community game could be maintained.
“These figures serve to show the Welsh rugby public that the governing body will not be swayed from its strategic aims and will always work to achieve its remit of sustaining and developing the national sport of Wales.”
