Dave Reddin discusses the WRU-led consultation into the elite end of the game, which has just concluded, and outlines the next steps in the programme for transformational change he is leading:
INTRODUCTION
With our consultation period now complete we are getting to grips with all the information we have gathered and shaping our recommendation that will be presented to the WRU Board, enabling the Board to make its decision.
The WRU Board will meet a number of times in October and has made a commitment to all involved to come back with a definitive plan about the way ahead for Welsh rugby before the month is out.
These are exciting times, because we have the opportunity to create a fully integrated system that will bring sustainable success to our game. These are also sensitive times as; with any change we must take care of all the people affected as we progress.
We know we will build a brighter future, but this will not come without both compromise and a galvanising of collective will.
CONSULTATION REVIEW
I’ve been involved in 31 separate meetings over the last month with key stakeholders from across the game, which includes professional clubs, players, coaches, community clubs, SRC Clubs, official fan groups, independent industry experts, politicians, and beyond.
The engagement we have received has been exceptional. Nobody turned up with their arms folded and holding a position, minds were open, and ideas were embraced.
In each meeting consultees came with different perspectives, data, information and with a myriad of approaches to each element of the proposal. They were positive, engaging, collaborative discussions, more focused on problem solving and the way forward. From which, we’ve collated a huge amount of information with all of the having been recorded and the transcripts sent back to each of the individual groups for approval. We are processing that information as we speak.
There are some hot spots of agreement like improvements to be made to our performance pathway, with unequivocal support from all stakeholders seeing the necessity of investment in this area. It’s been tough for academies, and I think the debate about a National Academy, as we proposed it, versus regional has become more nuanced as a result of the conversations.
Contributors also see the opportunity for women’s rugby and talked about getting the right phased investment. In addition, they see the absolute need around coach development across the whole piece.
We’re still talking through some of the ideas presented during the consultation meetings but in terms of the number of clubs there has been some really healthy debate, particularly around the models, the opportunities and challenges inside them.
With the optimal system we put something out that was pretty bold and provocative however as an executive board we’re still working through our analysis and no decision has been made yet.
What we said right at the beginning is we’ve got to do the right thing for the future of Welsh rugby and in making those decisions we’re not going to keep everybody happy.
We’ve got to keep balancing all elements; performance, financial and feasibility in order to arrive at the best outcome.
PATHWAYS
As mentioned, the importance of a solid performance pathway has garnered sweeping support across all stakeholder groups. You’ve got to invest in pathways which need to be more productive than they are at the moment and you’ve got to invest in coach development. Nothing will change simply by virtue of intention or a different mindset. That’s not going to make the material difference.
It’s not that we don’t have great interest in rugby right across Wales; it’s still more popular here per head than it is in most countries around the world.
Where the challenge lies is in how we convert that talent through a pathway to not just be professional talent as it sits at the moment, but top talent that can compete as a top five team in the world?
That takes restructuring, that takes finances.
NEXT STEPS
The WRU executive team are currently hard at it analysing and assimilating all of the information we have collected throughout consultation. This will form the basis for the recommendation which will be submitted along with a number of supporting papers for review and consideration for the first Board meeting on the 8th October.
This meeting is not a decision point for the Board, it’s about bringing them all up to speed with the huge amount of information and insight we have gathered.
THE CHANGE PERIOD
The ideal way to proceed if the outcome results in a change to the number of professional clubs, would be through consensus. In other words, the ownership groups behind the clubs are onboard with the direction of travel.
The other method would be via a tender process.
We’re engaging on a regular basis with the ownership groups, the professional clubs and sharing proposals and ideas, and whilst people have different needs, we think it’s a better system when it’s all aligned.
The final decision has to be based on a rationale that we believe is the best for the entire system and the future of the game in Wales, as opposed to one particular group that might object to it.
As part of this we must also consider a sustainable phased approach to delivery and investment, focused on identifying and implementing the most appropriate solutions for the immediate two – to three-year period, while concurrently planning for longer-term priorities and goals.
THE FUTURE
There is a huge amount of talent out there in Welsh rugby and in order to harness that, we’ve got to look further forward – it’s about the making the right decision for the future, not just a decision for right now.
What we can’t do is take a short-term view, making things better for a couple of years, to end up back at square one. We need transformational change that leads to permanent and sustained improvement which continues to develop and grow.
That bit’s harder… but we’ll get it done.
