ANNUAL REPORT 2020 ADRODDIAD BLYNYDDOL Dewrder | Hiwmor | Cywirdeb | Rhagoriaeth | Teulu | Llwyddiant Courage | Humour | Integrity | Excellence | Family | Success 2 THE WELSH RUGBY UNION LIMITED – ANNUAL REPORT 2020 THE WELSH RUGBY UNION LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT AND CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2020 President’s Message .......................................................................................................................................4 Chairman’s Statement ................................................................................................................................... 8 Group Chief Executive’s Summary ...............................................................................................................10 Strategic Report ...........................................................................................................................................16 A Year in Community Rugby ........................................................................................................................28 Return to Rugby ...........................................................................................................................................38 A Year in Professional Rugby ........................................................................................................................42 Return to Rugby ...........................................................................................................................................52 Directors’ Report ..........................................................................................................................................54 Consolidated Income Statement ..................................................................................................................61 Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income ....................................................................................62 Consolidated and Company Balance Sheets ................................................................................................63 Consolidated Statement of Changes In Equity .............................................................................................64 Company Statement of Changes In Equity ..................................................................................................65 Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows .......................................................................................................66 Notes to the Financial Statements ................................................................................................................67 Independent auditors’ report to the members of The Welsh Rugby Union Limited .....................................99 Welsh Rugby Union Governance ...............................................................................................................102 Registered Office ........................................................................................................................................107 Board of Directors ......................................................................................................................................108 Welsh Rugby Union Council ......................................................................................................................114 Executive Board ..........................................................................................................................................120 Obituaries...................................................................................................................................................124 Commercial Partners ..................................................................................................................................128 THE WELSH RUGBY UNION LIMITED – ANNUAL REPORT 2020 3 President’s Message Gerald Davies First came the storms and It was incredibly heart-wrenching all the necessary equipment to then came the plague. to see the damage Storm Dennis revamp, re-varnish and re-build did to the physical structures of premises. My first year in office has our clubhouses and to lay waste seen Welsh rugby tested Your union rallied around this many of our pitches but heart- to the core as indeed have selfless activity to offer funds, warming to see the vigorous and the rest of our communities, supplies and advice where needed, inspiring response. and it should be a matter as did rugby supporters who of great pride to all of Over 60 clubs were affected by donated to bucket collections at us that our rugby clubs, the storm, but members rallied Wales matches and funds were in this extreme set of round and having suffered the found to help fund the fight circumstances, unparalleled disaster the sense of camaraderie back and to keep the storm at in our recent history, have and fellow feeling, so exceptional bay. We began to feel the strain not been found wanting. within rugby clubs, made certain lessen. But then, unbelievably We should feel proud to that all was not lost and helped it seemed, as if it could not get have witnessed our game ensure the potential for recovery. any worse, it did. From nowhere, galvanised and equal to the On the pitch rivals turned up in without exaggeration as if in an task. It has not been easy. each other’s domains with paint Old Testament sense, a pestilential brushes and toolboxes containing scourge enveloped the world; hitherto unheard of. It has had a devastating effect on all our lives. 4 THE WELSH RUGBY UNION LIMITED – ANNUAL REPORT 2020 Like everyone in all walks of life We have found other ways to In many cases our players were our rugby clubs were called upon keep in touch with clubhouses by found to be leaders in some of to unite once again with a strong becoming, for example, ‘virtual’ these initiatives. sense of togetherness. and we did what we do best in The coronavirus pandemic threatening circumstances; we This all- (“Covid-19”) has struck at the very supported each other and those encompassing heart of our rugby communities. It more vulnerable than ourselves. and benevolent is cruel to individual people and in Our pitches have been out of spirit needs, as it responding to the need to limit its bounds but throughout Wales our hitherto has, to fatal consequences it has caused rugby clubs embarked on fund separation within families and raising initiatives which saw them survive not only divisions between communities not only run, walk and cycle paths, in desperate times at large. Our togetherness was tracks, and country roads but also but into creating under threat. some unique and admirable, if an optimistic sometimes novel, ideas. I believe Welsh future The Brecon shepherd put his rugby’s reaction sheep out to pasture on the to this strange club’s unused pitch so he could When I wrote to you earlier this and frightening re-join the ambulance service, to year, I said that we all hoped that phenomenon has the children who drew rainbows the pandemic would be over for clubhouse windows to show before too long. Clearly that was been a shining light over hopeful as we have entered in the darkness support for NHS and key workers everywhere. what appears to be another reflecting the very devastating stage. best of human nature. THE WELSH RUGBY UNION LIMITED – ANNUAL REPORT 2020 5 We must not be impatient which We must acknowledge and And to conduct ourselves in the is so easy for us say and to be, as respect at all times the great and manner of our seniority with the we all long to play once more. In influential history of our Union rugby world and to earn their part there are those who question and the very vital part we have esteem in the way we have done the restrictions and the need for played in evolving and enhancing throughout our history. ‘personal freedom’. this great game worldwide. It has been my greatest privilege to In which case I am reminded of While the clubs and have played international rugby for those words “The more freedom Wales, but this accolade is truly the we enjoy the greater responsibility their members give pinnacle of my lifetime in the game. we bear towards others as well as life to the game, I value and cherish this enormous ourselves” rightly belonging to honour. We still need to take very great care. our villages, towns The new coaching team is now and cities and in I began the season succeeding in place. Wayne Pivac and his Dennis Gethin as President, a post wishing to reinforce coaching colleagues began their which dates back over 130-years that spirited and work at about the same time to the humble beginnings of irrepressible life, following on from Warren Gatland’s our national game, and I put legacy. Wayne, like me, is following we must at all in the footsteps of great men. It is on record my thanks to him and times consider and each of my predecessors of our truly sad that having got underway national game for all they have promote our place in and progress was being made, the achieved in the role. the world and what pandemic arrived to haunt us all and put a halt to everything. It is a great honour and again it is we have to offer I would like to thank all of the and what invaluable We also say goodbye to our member clubs throughout Wales contribution they chairman of six years, Gareth for giving me the opportunity to expect of us. Davies, at this year’s Annual General serve Welsh rugby. Meeting at the end of his second term on Board and