To understand the situation in which Professional Welsh Rugby finds itself, and to see where the game is going here in Wales, we should perhaps look back first. Two dates stand out in recent memory – in 1995, the rugby world was turned upside down when the game turned professional. Also, in 2003, ironically on April Fool’s Day, nine Welsh clubs were turned into five professional teams , known as Regions – a misnomer in fact – later to become four.
In essence, what happened was that the main rugby heartlands in South Wales – Llanelli, Swansea, Cardiff and Newport – had four sides foisted upon them and were expected to make the best of what was in essence a fudge. More importantly, professionalism wasn’t an easy concept to take on board.
Unsurprisingly, with the exception of the National side, the game in Wales has endured a torrid time overall. For the first five years of this new arrangement, things didn’t go too badly. Then, in 2008, the WRU appointed Roger Lewis as CEO of the WRU and the Millennium Stadium, which was constructed to host the ’99 World Cup, and had landed the WRU in a heap of debt. He was successful, along with David Pickering as Chairman in reducing that debt quickly. As a consequence. Professional Welsh Rugby suffered hugely.
The four Professional teams – Cardiff Blues, Newport Gwent Dragons, Scarlets and Ospreys (known collectively as Regional Rugby Wales (RRW) ) – began to experience what can only be described as serious financial hardship. In 2012, a report by Price Waterhouse Cooper, made certain recommendations to alleviate the issue. One of the recommendations was greater collaboration between the Union and RRW.
This was meant to be a ground breaking report, which all sides would learn from and act upon. In fact nothing of the sort occurred. Here are some of the “lowlights” of the proceeding two years:
- George North , the first of the “big name players” departed from the Scarlets in March 2013. Neither the WRU RRW could agree on why he needed to go
- In October 2013, Roger Lewis made it clear that if the RRW did not extend the Participation Agreement between RRW and the WRU by the end of the year, they could well cease to exist
- Again in October 2013, RRW backed plans for a new European Cup, suggested by French and English Clubs
- Following the signing deadline, RRW informed the WRU that should they not be allowed to participate in the new European Cup, they would seek to break away and form an Anglo-Welsh League
- In January 2014, former WRU CEO David Moffett returned to Wales to mount a bid to usurp David Pickering as WRU Chairman. Lee Halfpenny also signs for Toulon.
- In June 2014, the WRU survive the vote of no-confidence at an EGM, but the seeds of change had been sown.
The breakthrough eventually came in August 2014, weeks before the beginning of last season, when a new Rugby Services Agreement (RSA) was signed. The Pro Teams had been able to negotiate their own sponsorship deal. Then as time went on, Gareth Davies replaced David Pickering as Chairman of the WRU. Roger Lewis also announced he was to leave his post as CEO.
The highlight of last season itself was the double header at the Millennium Stadium – Judgement Day III. With tickets priced at £10 and watched by 54,000 fans – almost 20,000 more than the previous record.
For those outside Wales, and even some caught in the middle of it, there is actually hope of a brighter future now for the game here. Encouragingly the game now enters a phase where the four Pro clubs are actually engaging in a real partnership with the Welsh Rugby Union. Anyone fully aware of the dynamics of the last eight years would accept, that mistakes were made by the four Pro teams, but outside influences severely restricted any real development.
Importantly, once the RSA was in place, RRW had rebranded itself as Pro Rugby Wales (PRW), with a tacit admission that they could not stand still, but should constantly be seeking improvement. Supporters and onlookers should rest assured that the game must improve here in Wales.
In any business, if your product is strong, then you will attract attention, support and most importantly greater funding. That is the aim of PRW now. They are able to concentrate on the rugby side of things, rather than be bogged down by politics. This has come about through an improving relationship with the WRU.
In the near future I hope to update you all on some major developments that will further enhance the game here in Wales. In the meantime, there is plenty to get excited about. It’s not going to be an overnight transformation, especially as the funding streams available to the English and especially the French aren’t accessible here,
There is no doubt, though, there is a sleeping giant here in the Professional game. International rugby has been a success on and off since 2005, almost in spite of what is happening at club level. With a renewed sense of direction and impetus, there is room and the desire for real improvement.
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