Welsh Rugby Union Reveals Domestic Game Investment in 2013 Annual Report

The Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) have revealed they have invested £22.1m into their domestic game after achieving record pre-tax earnings over the last financial year.

The WRU also showed they had invested £4m for the community game and £4.2m into elite rugby union in their annual report.

The governing body also invested £1m to help the Ospreys, Scarlets, Cardiff Blues and Newport Gwent Dragons develop and retain their best homegrown players in a bid to avoid a repeat of the dispute between the union and the regions earlier this year.

Chief executive Roger Lewis did however suggest that 2013 had been a more difficult year compared to 2012’s record turnover and a record-equalling profit.

Turnover was down £2.2m to £61m, but earnings before tax were up by £1.5m to £29.1m.

“The results we publish stand as clear confirmation that our business is now set on firm foundations and we are able to operate successfully even in challenging economic times,” said Lewis.

“This displays a direct link with the key changes we have put in place since 2006 with radical reforms of our financial and operational practices plus a robust recruitment policy.

“It costs money to fund radical change and nurture development so I am delighted that we have again been able to deliver meaningful and record levels of financial support within our priority areas of elite rugby, the community game and the Millennium Stadium.

“It is also a tribute to our success and our reputation that we are able to attract key executive staff of the calibre of Josh Lewsey as head of rugby and Mark Williams to become Millennium Stadium manager to join our outstanding executive board.

“Soon we will welcome the Rugby League World Cup opening ceremony and matches to the Stadium and we are already beginning to plan for the Rugby World Cup games we will host in 2015.

“These are great times for Wales and we are delighted to be playing our part in making this a great nation to be part of.”