The signing of the new Rugby Services Agreement in August last year saw a shift in the balance of power in Welsh Rugby. Indeed, time will tell whether the event can be described as a “defining moment”.
Finally, some independence was wrested from the WRU and handed to Pro Rugby Wales (PRW). There was even a hint of the beginning of a “partnership” between these two bodies.
Then, in October last year, Gareth Davies replaced David Pickering as WRU Chairman. In February this year, Roger Lewis announced he was to resign as Chief Executive Officer of the WRU, following this year’s World Cup. It’s obvious, these events didn’t happen in isolation. In fact, the signing of the RSA began a snowball effect, which on Tuesday this week, saw the announcement of Martyn Phillips as Roger Lewis’ replacement.
The press conference to announce his appointment was hurriedly arranged it seems. But, Gareth Davies in his introduction to the assembled media, described it as “the biggest decision the WRU will take this year”.
Martyn Phillips the man
Who is Martyn Phillips then? Most recently, he has taken charge of FTSE 100 DIY giants B&Q. He has a reasonably strong rugby background – including being a Welsh Schoolboy Rugby International. Of more recent relevance, he has run leadership programmes for Academy Directors in the Aviva Premiership
He faces a very challenging introduction into Welsh Rugby. As a self-confessed “die-hard Welsh rugby fan” he must surely be aware of what lies in wait. The grass-roots game has suffered severe hardship during the previous “regime”. The recent announcement of Premiership Select sides to be entered into the B&I Cup next season has caused some unrest. Regional Rugby has struggled to keep hold of its star names, and have fallen behind the rest of European Rugby in a big way.
His comments on his unveiling to the Welsh public tell an encouraging story, however. Although he doesn’t start in his new role until November, he has vowed to get out and about to see how the land lies. He talked of bridge building and tapping into the “incredibly passionate and energised workforce” in Welsh Rugby.
The Future
He has vowed to look forward, to build on the good work that has been done at the top of the game in Wales. “…. The RSA with the Regions must be managed effectively for the benefit of all stakeholders, the community game must be fully and properly supported and the governing body needs to confirm a clear strategic plan for the immediate future.”
He has also, already, looking at what it takes to keep and get back the best players Wales have produced recently. “I am going to put my efforts into making it attractive for Welsh players to play in Wales, rather than trying to write a policy that ties down every tiny scenario, because that’s a sort of negative approach”
Reading the meat of his utterances on Tuesday, it appears he is fully informed of where his main challenges lie. He didn’t concentrate on one particular area, in fact he covered most of the main problems Welsh Rugby as a whole is facing at the moment.
There is no telling how successful he will be in his new role. That will become apparent as time goes by. However, I firmly believe he has got off on the right foot. His emphasis was on moving forward, improving and attempting to catch up on the rest of European Rugby. No particular area took precedence in his outlook, and that can only be a positive thing.
It’s a question of “wait and see” now. There is every likelihood though, that this is another positive step in the progression of the game in Wales.
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