ANNUAL REPORT 2018 ADRODDIAD BLYNYDDOL THE WELSH RUGBY UNION LIMITED – ANNUAL REPORT 2018 contents PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE ..........................................................................................................................................4 CHAIRMAN’S STATEMENT ...................................................................................................................................6 GROUP CHIEF EXECUTIVE’S SUMMARY ...............................................................................................8 STRATEGIC REPORT .................................................................................................................................................12 REPORT FROM THE HEAD OF RUGBY PARTICIPATION ......................................................20 REPORT FROM THE HEAD OF RUGBY PERFORMANCE .......................................................24 REPORT FROM THE HEAD OF RUGBY OPERATIONS ..............................................................30 REPORT FROM THE NATIONAL HEAD COACH .............................................................................34 DIRECTORS’ REPORT ................................................................................................................................................36 CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT ...............................................................................................40 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME .....................................41 CONSOLIDATED AND COMPANY BALANCE SHEETS ...........................................................42 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY ...................................................43 COMPANY STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY ...................................................................44 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS .........................................................................45 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ......................................................................................46 INDEPENDENT AUDITORS’ REPORT .........................................................................................................64 WELSH RUGBY UNION GOVERNANCE ..................................................................................................67 REGISTERED OFFICE ...............................................................................................................................................69 BOARD OF DIRECTORS ..........................................................................................................................................70 EXECUTIVE BOARD ...................................................................................................................................................74 OBITUARIES .......................................................................................................................................................................76 COMMERCIAL PARTNERS ..................................................................................................................................78 THE WELSH RUGBY UNION LIMITED – ANNUAL REPORT 2018 3 President’s message nother successful season in Congratulations are also due to AWelsh rugby saw our men’s Merthyr who lifted the Principality national side finish a creditable Premiership trophy, setting themselves up to bid for an historic second place in the Six Nations hat-trick in the year ahead after table and notch up eight wins winning the title for the second from twelve matches across the successive time. Well done too, to year - including a tough two- Pontypool who lifted the Test tour to Argentina and a Championship title and to all the other club, schools, teams and third straight win over South dennis gethin individuals who won accolades Africa in the summer. throughout the year. I was particularly pleased to see a personal tribute to all of the players, Sam Warburton's decision to retire new crop of fresh young talent coaching staff and team from rugby at the relatively young represent Wales in such a positive management who are such age of 29 was one that caught the light during the summer tour victories marvellous ambassadors for Wales attention of us all. When you over the Pumas in Argentina and the and for Welsh rugby on the global consider what he has achieved as Springboks, in Washington DC. stage. Wales’ most decorated captain (of his Presenting new caps is one of the The Cardiff Blues and the Scarlets 74 appearances he led his country on highlights of any President’s year, were our leading lights on the 48 of them) and with the British & especially when they have been won European stage with our capital Irish Lions, it is perhaps greedy of us in such impressive circumstances, and region lifting the European Rugby to want more from him, but he will the year ahead, as we build up to the Challenge Cup for the second time in be much missed. He was a truly RWC19 in Japan, is made all the their history – one of just six sides to superb player, a man of huge more exciting as a consequence. have done so - and the Scarlets integrity, an outstanding leader and an individual with a worldwide Warren Gatland now has a selection entertaining us all with extended reputation in the game. We all dilemma I know he will relish. Very campaigns on two fronts. recognise it was a difficult decision, rarely has Wales produced such a glut The Scarlets reached the semi-finals though undoubtedly the right one of rugby talent of such potential in so of the European Rugby Champions for both him and his family. many positions. We can look forward Cup, emulating their best previous with confidence and keen run in Europe’s premier tournament My work with the Welsh Rugby anticipation and I would like to pay of 2007, and mounted their Charitable Trust (“Trust”) brings me Guinness PRO12 title defence in style, into regular contact with a small but falling only at the last hurdle against Leinster after reaching the final of the PRO14 competition in Dublin. Elsewhere we hosted the inaugural U18 Six Nations festival in Wales, with Sardis Road, Cardiff Arms Park and Ystrad Mynach all featuring matches and, just as importantly, more than 1,000 community club players around South Wales took part in coaching sessions aligned to the festivals. Our U20 side picked up good wins over Scotland and Ireland in the U20 Six Nations and defeated Australia, Italy and Japan during their Junior World Championship campaign. THE WELSH RUGBY UNION LIMITED – ANNUAL REPORT 2018 4 extremely important part of the part of the wider rugby family and home nations in providing these Welsh rugby family, those who have we are grateful to all the clubs and important social opportunities. suffered life changing injuries. individuals who have made Finally, we said goodbye this year to Thankfully, this a rare group of donations over the past year. I must five former internationals in Graham individuals but it must be noted that also pay tribute to our Patron, the George Hale, Haydn John Davies, there is continual fundraising for this Duke of Cambridge, who does an Trevor Brewer, Gareth Williams and great cause to support 33 who are enormous amount of work behind Haydn Morgan. I know there are permanently wheelchair-bound, the scenes in raising money for this fitting tributes to each included in the others who have lifelong mobility cause and we are delighted that he obituaries section of this report, but problems and those whose injuries has announced his intention to my sincere condolences are extended may heal over time, but who need extend his patronage for a further on behalf of the Group to the close our support during their five-year term. The group come friends and family of five wonderful recuperation. The Trust seeks to together at regular intervals, to enjoy servants of our game. provides a safety net of support to watching international matches at help them and their families Principality Stadium, and to spend To continue on a personal note, it is overcome the hardships and it is some quality time with family and also time for me to give notice of my lifelong commitment we make to all friends at functions hosted there. intention to step down as President of them. They are a very important The WRU is unique amongst the in 2019 when I will have served for 12 years. This year's Annual General Meeting is all about embracing change. It also feels right for me to vacate my position at the same time that our longest serving national coach Warren Gatland will leave us and we welcome some new faces and a fresh approach to provide the best platform possible to take Welsh rugby forward into a new decade. Yours in rugby Dennis Gethin OBE President The Welsh Rugby Union Limited THE WELSH RUGBY UNION LIMITED – ANNUAL REPORT 2018 5 chairman’s statement e are currently under- with an ambition to achieve at least Wgoing an important one third female representation period of evolutionary change achieved after 17 new roles were taken by women on their 49-strong within Welsh rugby. board. A lot of hard work has already been Whilst on the subject of corporate undertaken to consolidate those governance, I’d like to formally relationships at the performance end record my personal gratitude to of the game – between ourselves and Gareth Williams, who has recently each of our four regional sides, the stepped down to take up the position Dragons, Cardiff Blues, Ospreys and gareth davies of Chairman of Glamorgan County Scarlets – which not only sustain