WRU Group Chief Executive, Roger Lewis, told delegates the Union remains committed to creating long term sustainability for all of the Group’s activities both on and off the field.
WRU Audio: Listen to WRU Group Chief Executive Roger Lewis talking about the last year and the search for a new Wales coach
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WRU Audio: Listen to outgoing WRU President Glanmor Griffiths
He told the gathering of club representatives at the Welsh rugby squad’s headquarters in the Vale of Glamorgan, “We must ensure rugby remains at the heart of our communities.
“And as a Union we will continue to strive towards the overarching goal of placing Wales at the forefront of world rugby.”
He told the member clubs it had been a tough year for Welsh rugby but the WRU remained confident about the financial strategy and structures which had allowed it to reinvest £14.9 million into the game at all levels this year.
The delegates approved plans to revamp elements of the constitution including rules on how voting takes place in Presidential elections. They also agreed to change the rules which govern any move to call an extraordinary general meeting of the Union meaning that from now on, ten per cent of WRU clubs will be needed to call an EGM.
The meeting was also told that progress is being made on identifying and recruiting both a new Elite Performance Director and a new Head Coach to replace Gareth Jenkins.
WRU chairman David Pickering told the meeting, “Now is the time for us all to pull together for the benefit of Welsh rugby and we have a great opportunity to bounce back.”
He pinpointed the forthcoming Prince William Cup clash between Wales and South Africa at the Millennium Stadium on November 24th as an example of the ambition now alive in Welsh rugby.
He said, “To be the best, we’ve got to play the best. This match will give our public the chance to watch a magnificent game at the highest level.”
After the meeting, Roger Lewis said, “We can reflect on a difficult year for Welsh rugby with a great deal of quiet satisfaction because we’ve built a solid foundation on which we can build as we go forward. We’ve put in place financial structures and plans that will drive that growth.”
