All of this funding is in addition to the significant budgeted activity already planned across the game in Wales by the WRU as part of its five-year rolling business plan. This extra multi-million pound investment into rugby in Wales has been made possible by the WRU’s strong financial performance over the past year. This financial stability was aided by the success of the senior international team in securing the Six Nations title for the third time since 2008 including two Grand Slams.
The £2.5m additional investment will be split as follows:
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Community rugby |
£1.3m |
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Regional rugby |
£1.0m |
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International rugby |
£0.2m |
The additional investment into community rugby will include schools initiatives, alternate forms of rugby and assistance to member clubs to deal with returning the community game to an amateur basis. However, the two largest initiatives will be an innovative website scheme to assist member clubs at c.£0.3m and further Facilities Grants of £0.8m.
The WRU has ring-fenced these funds from the current financial year which ends on 30 June 2013 and the £0.8m Facilities Grant is a one-off payment. It follows on from a similar scheme last year when the WRU announced a one-off £0.5m Facilities Grant.
WRU Clubs at all levels will be able to apply for grants of £5k, £10k, £20k or £50k to fund improvements to their facilities.
The initiative has been launched after last year’s Facility Grant assisted a large number of clubs throughout the whole of Wales. A range of projects were funded which have resulted in improved training, playing and clubhouse facilities across the game.
There were a wide range of projects such as floodlight improvements at Pentyrch RFC near Cardiff. Club Secretary Gareth Williams said: “Without them we couldn’t train. The problem emerged last April and we knew we were going to have problems as the floodlights have been there for over 20 years.”
The focus on the Facilities Grant is driven by the feedback received from last year’s very successful WRU Census of WRU Member Clubs. The Census identified areas such as training and playing facilities as key areas that require support from the WRU.
Two years ago the WRU unveiled a one-off £1m Participation Points Scheme which helped clubs purchase playing and training equipment in amounts they qualified for in direct proportion to the volume of activity they achieved directly linked to set criteria.
The Group Chief Executive of the WRU, Roger Lewis, said: “I am delighted that our financial performance over the past year has allowed us to launch these initiatives which will deliver clear benefits to the game in Wales.
“This money into community rugby is in addition to our core funding. The difficult economic climate affects us all and we want to help all our member clubs to meet the challenges ahead.
“This programme of major investment into the game is intent upon creating and maintaining a modern and attractive sport capable of encouraging more people to get involved in rugby at all levels.
“We want to attract and retain players of all ages, as well as coaches, match officials, volunteers and supporters. This fresh funding will ensure that the game can continue to move forward in the face of competition from an array of other sports and activities. We also want make certain that our facilities in our clubs are in the best condition possible.
“This represents a very responsible investment by the WRU, in that all the projects will significantly improve rugby both on and off the field in real and tangible ways for years to come. This is an opportunity for member clubs to pinpoint projects they might otherwise have been forced to shelve for the time being because of financial restraints.”
The Chairman of the Welsh Rugby Union, David Pickering, said: “By ring-fencing the money and announcing this investment now, the WRU is showing that we recognise the issues our clubs face and assuring them we will do all we can to help.
“In my role I get to see just how hard our volunteers work at the community level and I am determined to ensure we reward and recognise that effort wherever we can.
“A strong community game is the foundation on which Welsh rugby is built and I and my colleagues on the WRU Board know how extra allocations of money at the right time can make a huge difference.
“I am delighted that this year we are able to offer meaningful help to all our clubs both amateur and professional which is huge tribute to our financial performance as the governing body.
“The clubs face huge financial demands and I know this Facilities Grant and the other initiatives will help them achieve real benefits.”
The additional investment into regional rugby of £1.0m will target the development, recruitment and retention of Welsh international players. This investment has been concluded following a series of meetings with the Regions and has been highlighted as the key focus for the international and regional game. Specific details of how this money is invested will be determined by the WRU during further discussions between the WRU and representatives of the Regions.
The Group Chief Executive of the WRU, Roger Lewis, added: “I am delighted that the funding we have made available will also be of specific help to our four Regions as we continue to work closely to improve the professional game in Wales.
“We have identified the priority of keeping Welsh qualified players in Wales and developing them to their full potential.
“Our discussions with the Regions are continuing on a range of issues but this is a clear indication that the WRU will engage in a meaningful way within the financial constraints we all know exist.
“This is a one-off amount but the investment is of a scale which can be of true benefit to the game at the professional level.”
The additional investment into international rugby will include a series of projects aimed at enhancing the ambitions and performance of the National Squad and the Age-Grade Groups.
