September Chairman’s Comment

At the risk of sounding like Bob Dylan, these are changing times.
I was extremely proud to announce Steve Phillips as our new interim chief executive this week after a series of rigorous interviews and a range of excellent candidates for the position Martyn Phillips will vacate after our AGM in October.

It became clear during the recruitment process that the uncertainty currently surrounding sport was a challenge, both for candidates and the Union.

We also discussed with Steve the fact that a possible new chairperson would more than likely prefer to appoint their own chief executive, I know I would.

Steve was fully supportive of this approach and this is the reason for appointing on an interim basis.

He knows our business inside out and I believe this knowledge, combined with his track record with the Union and long-established strong relationships throughout the world game, ensure he is well placed to navigate the challenges ahead.

There is no doubt that the sports industry has been significantly impacted by the current pandemic. Steve has been at the forefront of our management of this challenging period.

He is entirely familiar with the business, has impressed throughout the process and as such will ‘hit the ground running’.

We have made a ‘boot room’ appointment which offers stability to Welsh rugby in transient times and on this note I am also delighted to inform member clubs that our new Community Rugby Strategy is approaching its sign-off and roll-out stage. Club workshops were integral to us reaching this stage and clubs will continue to be consulted to fine-tune the strategy further.

This strategy will bring with it changes to the community game that will safeguard our long-term future together. The document has been 16 months in the making and has included consultations with Board members, District representatives, World Rugby, Sport Wales, schools, head teachers, players, key club representatives and our executive, council and Community Board.

Representations have been taken from the Future Generations Commissioner for Wales, Disability Sport Wales and Street Games.

A central question the strategy seeks to answer is: what does the successful, sustainable Welsh rugby club of the future look like?

The answer, in short, is that we truly have a game for everyone and we must ensure that the resources, expertise, personnel and planning is in place at all levels to maximise the potential of this fact. One of the key aspects is about encouraging more people to play in a variety of formats, plus we will have a new training and education work force to support not only coaches and referees but all volunteers, administrators, players and supporters. This includes developing a progressive pathway and framework for the mini, junior and adult game, increasing participation numbers and ensuring the competition model is right for the community game.

There is much more detail to come on the Community Rugby Strategy and clubs will continue to be an integral part of fine-tuning. Now Community Game Board approval has been realised for the first draft, the WRU Council and Board must be formally consulted. But I wanted to let member clubs know at the earliest opportunity that significant and exciting progress has been made.

We have said that we want to ensure all member clubs survive the current pandemic intact. We have made inroads into achieving this ambition, but we have also not rested on our laurels. There are changes to come, changes for the better that have been planned and researched in a structured way. Changes that will lift spirits as well as coffers, that will improve participation, raise standards, re-invigorate facilities, welcome the new and safeguard the old. Changes that will ensure Welsh rugby swims against the current tide, which has forced some of our number to stay in their homes, shelter and ultimately withdraw. Welsh rugby must not only stay afloat in these difficult times, it must will ride all of the waves coming its way and the Community Game Board is there to ensure that clubs are best equipped at every stage to do so.

To the immediate future, one more potentially imminent change will be directly influenced by the upcoming National Council elections. It is no secret that I am seeking to stand for a third and final term as a National Council Member and I have also offered my services to continue as chairman, if called upon during these unprecedented times. It is well documented that the one can’t follow without the other and if I am not re-elected to the Council a further change at the helm is inevitable. The Council consists of elected members from our clubs and districts and its role will be highly influential whatever happens next, but first clubs will speak.

Please read the documents you have been provided on each candidate and make your choice accordingly ahead of the fast approaching deadline of Friday 11th September. Of course, I would like you to vote for me. I’m standing for continuity, consistency, strength, stability and normality at a time when evolution could quickly turn to revolution, just a step away from imbalance, disruption and potential unrest. Without the right management during these unprecedented times we could so easily be put back, but I appeal to everyone to make your views known regardless of your preferred candidate.

Now is the time to speak up and exert your own influence on the future of our game. Now is the time for member clubs to act. To vote.

On that note, I leave you with Dylan:

…And you better start swimmin'

Or you'll sink like a stone

For the times they are a-changin'

Yours in rugby,
Gareth Davies
WRU Chairman