At Christmas time rugby clubs throughout the country are coming into their own as the social hubs at the very heart of the communities in which they reside.
Our great game has always been as much about the experience that is offered off the pitch as the excitement, drama and exhilaration on display upon it.
We are extremely proud and privileged to have a network of 320 clubs across the length and breadth of Wales who are, or have the untapped potential to be, the focal points of the towns, cities and regions they represent.
Strong and vibrant clubs are directly related to the strength of Welsh Rugby as a whole and our strategy for the sustainable future of our national game directly details the ways in which we will continue to help clubs to grow and build on the good work they already undertake.
Christmas is also traditionally the time when teams take a moment to reflect on the season so far and make plans to consolidate, build or even change direction in the New Year.
The Principality Premiership is a particularly fascinating point of fact this year with the league’s new format reaching a crescendo in the New Year when 16 teams will become 8 in two separate tiers each with semi-final play-offs and a final.
Ring fenced as it is until 2019, the Premiership is a fascinating battle ground for ambitious clubs, it has already produced matches with increased intensity due to the inherent jeopardy of its new format and it is a vital breeding ground for our professional players, coaches and referees.
Coach development is something which has come under particular focus towards the end of this year with
Warren Gatland now to be joined by Rob Howley on the British and Irish Lions tour of New Zealand this summer – and the Wales coaching team for our own summer tour also now to include some new faces.
There is a real summer of opportunity ahead for Welsh coaches which should benefit the whole of Welsh Rugby in the years ahead.
Because of the nature of international rugby it is not often that you get the opportunity to develop coaches in different environments.
We are delighted to be able to turn to coaches of the calibre of Robin McBryde, Danny Wilson, Stephen Jones and Matt Sherratt and know that Wales will be in safe hands during their Pacific Islands tour.
We are excited about the alchemy that will take place with these key figures from our Regional game all working together for one collective cause under our national banner.
The first challenge of the New Year, however, will be the RBS 6 Nations when we welcome Alex King on board to add an extra dimension to the coaching set-up alongside the now highly experienced quartet of Rob Howley, Robin McBryde, Shaun Edwards and Neil Jenkins.
Alex comes to Wales with an impressive coaching pedigree and we will all be looking forward to seeing what he can add to a national side which doesn’t feel too far away from returning to the heights which saw them take the Championship title the last time Rob Howley had the opportunity to take charge.
On the occasion of each home match in the Six Nations the weekend’s rugby begins with the Wales U20s playing out of their now established home venue, Parc Eirias in our North Wales Development Region, on each preceding Friday evening.
And a bumper weekend of international rugby is completed by Women’s international fixtures now being played out of Cardiff Arms Park at 11.30am each Principality Stadium match-day morning.
I hope that supporters will turn out in their droves to support the Women’s matches in Cardiff and – as they always do – the U20s games at Parc Erias, as much as they will to watch Rob Howley’s Wales at the now sold-out Principality Stadium.
This time last year we were also imploring supporters to vote with their feet in support of the Regional game and attend the annual Judgement Day double-header at Principality Stadium in April – we nearly managed a sell-out in 2016 and I believe 2017 will be the year we will do it.
Fans have already bought up in excess of 26,000 tickets, that’s 25 per cent more than at this time last year and at just £10 per head entrance fee the event provides real value for money and a great day out for all the family.
But first we have some crunch games over the Christmas period where we can gather in the fresh air with our loved ones and do what families in Wales do best – watch rugby.
To the players out there over the holiday period we salute you for your dedication to your sport, to the supporters, club officials, referees and volunteers throughout the community game please keep up the good work and I look forward to visiting a club near you soon myself.
To another year in rugby,
Gareth Davies
WRU Chairman
