The Clubhouse March 2015 WRU Newsletter

CHANGES AT THE TOP FOR WRU identify a replacement. now required in the top role. He has also Clubs have been assured they will be WRU Chairman, Gareth Davies, has publicly expressed his gratitude to Roger kept informed of the progress towards written an open letter to all clubs within Lewis for the progress he has overseen in appointing a new Group Chief Executive which he outlined the initial phases of his nine years as Group Chief Executive. of the Welsh . the work now underway. He explained The departing CEO has described his Roger Lewis steps down in October that the first priority was to review the tenure as a “great adventure” and also after nine years at the helm and the WRU evolution of the game in recent years and thanked the WRU Board and all his Board is actively engaged in discussions to identify precisely what sort of leadership is colleagues for their support.

A WRU STRATEGY FOR THE FUTURE The WRU is actively developing a new strategic plan which will help shape the future of the game and identify clear priorities for the work of the governing body. This is the latest update of the five year rolling financial and operational plan which is effectively the operational “roadmap” for the organisation. The new plan is a radical reshaping of the format and is aimed at casting an even clearer focus of what the WRU should be doing for the game in . The Executive team began preparing the process before Christmas and now the full WRU Board is actively engaged in the plan. A meeting to review the current content of the document and brainstorm new ideas and directions has already taken place this month involving the full Board. The plan will match spending against the priority needs of the game and will include clear measures of how to review progress to make sure its aims are being fulfilled. District directors will debate the process with club representatives to make sure all involved are kept up to speed with progress.

NON EXEC DIRECTOR APPOINTMENTS There has been a great response to the call and speaking to. ATTRACTING PLAYERS for applications from people who want to A shortlist of the very best applicants will The drive to attract more players to join join the board of directors of the WRU. then be drawn up and the Board will then our clubs has been raised and debated by At the last Annual General Meeting set in place a formal interview process. the WRU Board. delegates decided to seek up to two new The appointments will then be made so The issue of how to build participation directors, with at least one preferably that the new Board will be complete later has consistently been earmarked as an being female. this year. Currently the Board is made important topic for review at the highest The aim is to strengthen the Board with up of 14 representatives of the districts level. individuals boasting expertise from the around Wales, three national directors At the most recent Board meeting the business sector to ensure a rigorous review who each represent the whole of Welsh representatives decided to raise the issue of the operational management of the rugby and the Group Chief Executive. as a topic for discussion at a strategy WRU takes place. Some of the applicants for the new Board gathering called to focus on the way Search consultants were appointed and places boast high calibre corporate CV’s forward for the WRU. they have now drawn up a “longlist” of so the WRU is confident that excellent Player numbers have been an issue candidates they are now checking through candidates can be appointed. for many clubs and the topic is also being raised under the banner of season ANTI-DOPING personal use. structures, which are also being debated at The WRU is urging all clubs and players All WRU clubs have already been Board level. to take note of the new anti-doping written to about this issue so this is a This embraces matters such as the need information and education programme reminder to make sure you all share the to play matches during timelines such as now available. relevant information. the Autumn international window when There is clear advice on the link wru.( traditionally the leagues have been on co.uk/antidoping) with all the rules and FEEDBACK hold. regulations explained including a new If you have any feedback or ideas for The focus of debate has been the need to World Anti-Doping Code. Clubhouse content you can contact the ensure a regular run of games whenever This code came into force on 1 January WRU Head of Communications, John possible to ensure players stay in the habit 2015 and the web pages include links to Williams, directly, via: of turning up and getting out there to take help players check any medication and [email protected] part. supplements they may be considering for Issue 2 The Clubhouse March 2015 WRU Newsletter

FREE LEGAL SERVICE AT YOUR DISPOSAL TICKET SALES BOOST FOR CLUBS Clubs are reminded that the WRU has in The member clubs have won praise place a free legal advice service for their from the WRU Board for selling exclusive use. thousands more tickets to fans as part It has been set up as a pro bono scheme of a new incentive scheme. with University to ensure clubs can Through the Tier One Season Pass get quick and useful legal help anytime. project some 18,000 more tickets were Clubs can contact the service by email sold through clubs last Autumn than via [email protected] in English or for the November series in 2013. through [email protected] in Under the terms of the Season Pass Welsh. scheme that meant the clubs also You can also call the Law School on earned £300,000 in commission for 02920876705 between 9am and 5pm securing the sales. and ask to speak to a member of the The scheme has been introduced WRU Law School Pro Bono team. All again for the Dove Men Series Rugby calls are returned if the team are busy or World Cup warm-up fixtures this unavailable. summer against Ireland and Italy and Please take note that after normal office will also be in place for the next RBS 6 hours the university security staff will Nations tournament games. answer calls but won’t be able to assist. Clubs striving to build more sales are being urged to make sure they FOUR MORE CLUBS AWARDED FULL WRU adopt procedures which ensure local MEMBERSHIP people know when to turn up to buy Four more district clubs have been tickets and how to make sure they elevated to full member club status by the become club members to take part in WRU Board. the sales process. Fall Bay RFC, Hafodyrynys RFC, South The ultimate aim is to build a Gower RFC and Treharris RFC will structure in which more and more of making sure you can get yourself become full member clubs from the start people realise that becoming a rugby a seat at the for of season 2015/16. club member in Wales is the best way the big matches. This means they will receive full funding, ticket allocation entitlements and have voting rights at WRU Annual General NATWEST RUGBYFORCE Meetings. Clubs like yours are There are still some 50 District Member vitally important to both Clubs without full status. Welsh rugby and your The ultimate aim of the WRU is to unify local community. the status of clubs under the umbrella of The WRU is keen for the governing body. more rugby clubs to take advantage of the NatWest National Leagues latest RugbyForce grant The National Leagues Working Party scheme that is designed set up to review and monitor the new to help you improve your structure has held its first meeting. We facilities. fresh lick of paint or you can improve will report back on progress in future All clubs are eligible to make the the external appearance of the club by editions. application for the grant, even those who cleaning or gardening then please apply applied and were successful last season now. and the deadline has been extended to the NatWest are great supporters of Welsh 4th April to help as many clubs as possible rugby so working together we can all help fill out the application for the grants. make a difference where it matters. There are 30 grants of £500 each available The application forms can be accessed for small projects that will make a big through this link: difference to the sustainability of the club. www.wru.co.uk/eng/club/natwest_ So if your function room needs a rugbyforce_enter.php

Issue 2