The Welsh Rugby Union launched a major consultation with all Community member clubs this week regarding the way the game is funded.at grass roots level.
Having already conducted a review into how the game’s core grant is allocated to 274 clubs Community Game Director, Geraint John, and Head of Places, Angharad Collins, will be fronting a road show around the Union’s nine Districts to explain the new thinking and preferred plan.
The groundbreaking funding model is aimed at positioning Welsh rugby at the forefront of grassroots sport and extensive consultation has already taken place with groups representing the clubs and external groups, garnering positive reviews.
Three models were originally presented and following feedback, and ratification by the WRU’s Club Development Committee, the favoured proposal will be presented to the clubs at the district meetings – starting with District B at Cardiff Athletic Club on today, Wednesday, 8 January.
“We’re delighted to announce plans to introduce a transformative funding structure to the grassroots game. The game needs change, we need change and we’re doing this in collaboration with clubs across Wales,” said the chair of the Community Game Board, John Manders.
“It’s designed to provide a sustainable financial model to support to rugby clubs across the nation, with the goal of boosting player numbers and retention, enhancing facilities, and promoting rugby’s community roots.
“We are still very much in the consultative phase with our plans, and we are seeking the views of the clubs in each District before we finalise.
“We are seeking to encourage all member clubs to come on a new journey with us – one that will be beneficial to them and to the game as a whole. We can’t stand still in the modern world, and we have to ensure every club is properly equipped to meet the standards that are now expected of all sporting bodies.
“Our goal is to help each club become stronger, more resilient and better prepared to meet the many challenges they face both on and off the field. That’s why we are asking them to help us as a union to help them become even better.
“Safeguarding, EDI and junior rugby are key pillars in a modern-day community club. Many clubs have already made great progress in these and other areas, but we want to take them even further to strengthen their ability to attract new players, fans, volunteers and funding.”
The WRU’s new ‘One Wales’ headline strategy which was launched in June 2024 has outlined three key performance goals for the community clubs:
- 95% of Clubs will have a Club Development Plan
- 95% of Clubs will have an EDI (Equality, Diversity and Inclusion) Plan
- 100% of Clubs will have a rolling programme of Self-Assessment
The Independent Review undertaken on behalf of the WRU recommended reform of the financial support system to the member clubs and is also a key part of the new strategy.
Overall funding will remain the same, but the goal is for return on the investment to be more accountable and better co-ordinated.
“There is a continuous need to change and evolve within our community game. Our clubs know this already and we want to help them to progress in line with the WRU’s new ‘One Wales’ strategy,” said John.
“We need to focus on the lifeblood of our clubs and our game and that is the youngsters who join to play it. There is a battle out there for the hearts and minds of young sportsmen and women and we have to ensure the offering from our community clubs is appealing, fit for purpose, enjoyable and welcoming to all.
“That’s why in our criteria and weighting for gathering points towards an overall core grant, there are more points available to clubs for their 7-11 and 12-16 sections than for their youth and senior groups. We want to grow and retain the number of young girls (6-18) and boys (12-18) in our game through our clubs, hubs and schools.
“The hard facts are that more than 75% of adults who play a sport started when they were children. That’s why we need an even bigger focus on our junior sections.”
As well as examining the on-field credentials of each club, the new plan in the making intends to concentrate as much on key areas off the field – the rugby workforce, facilities and governance and culture.
“In our previous consultations with the club’s consensus was that it would be good to recognise off field activities as much as on field performance. The clubs we met felt both were interlinked and if the culture and governance is correct, then their clubs would thrive on and off the field,” added John.
“We are asking the clubs to consider a five tier off field accreditation plan that will be linked to the money they receive each season. Much of what they need to do is underpinned by supportive solutions available from the Places team at the WRU.
“We want to help every club to up their game and take significant steps forward in how they administer their clubs, what they offer their players of all ages and how they support their wider community.”
star scratch
Jonah Lomu, a former New Zealand rugby player, is considered one of the greatest wingers in rugby history. Despite being diagnosed with a kidney disorder, he scored 37 tries in 63 tests for the All Blacks between 1994 and 2002.
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Cricket became an Olympic sport in 1896. However, no matches were held because there was an insufficient number of teams who attended. Had the sport been played that year, cricket would have earned the distinction of being the only team sport to be played at the time. The first Olympic match in the next Olympics (1900) was participated in by the men’s teams. Great Britain (represented by the Devon and Somerset Wanderers) won gold.