WRU enjoy record year
It was confirmed at the Annual General Meeting of the Wales Rugby Union (WRU) that Welsh rugby enjoyed a record year.
Delegates were told the WRU achieved a record turnover of £63.2m last year which is 44% higher that in 2007.
The Annual General Meeting heard that there were financial challenges ahead in a tough economic climate but the WRU was now set fair to deal with any issues it encountered.
The Group Chief Executive of the WRU, Roger Lewis, said his initial priority had been to focus on the international team and its support systems because a winning Wales is what drives the financial engine of the game in Wales.
But he said it was now time to prioritise the community game to ensure that a small nation like Wales can continue to discover playing talent through strong participation levels at the grassroots level.
Lewis said: “It has been a remarkable year which will be remembered on the field for a range of achievements.
“That success has been built upon an incredible financial and commercial performance which is the culmination of five years of hard work.
“Those five years are a tribute to everyone who has worked so tirelessly to deliver the incredible results we have recorded in our Annual Report.”
He said that as well as prioritising the community game, the WRU was currently working hard with the four regions to find workable solutions for difficulties they had been experiencing.
He also pinpointed the level of activity taking place in schools across Wales to ensure as many youngsters as possible get involved in rugby.
WRU Chairman, David Pickering, said at the Annual General Meeting: “Things are going very much down the right track in Welsh rugby.
“I hope we will agree with the IRB when it says Wales is one of the two nations in the world punching above its weight at the moment.
“There is a feel-good factor and we are witnessing a new golden era. It is a wonderful feeling reminiscent of the halcyon days of the 70s.
“We know we are only as good as the stream of talent coming through that will play for Wales tomorrow and we are focused on making sure that happens.”
He emphasised the importance of the community game in Wales and praised delegates for the level of work carried out to ensure grassroots rugby flourishes.
