Wales

WRU "knowingly keeping clubs poor"

ESPN Staff

Former Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) chief David Moffett believes his former employers are failing to invest available money into the regional clubs.

Moffett has issued an expose called'Lifting the Lid: WRU finances 2007-2013, in which he claims WRU employee costs went up by 20% while the clubs remained poorly funded. The findings, published on Moffett's website, suggest the WRU is far wealthier than it was in 2007 but, despite 'reserves of over £11 million', have failed to ensure this money reaches the four regional clubs.

It goes on to state that, in 2013, despite record revenue levels of £17.1 million, the WRU only invested £500,000 into the regional game. Moffett adds that, of the 48% of funding they refer to as 'allocation', 94% came from sponsors and TV companies, and not from the Union.

"The WRU could release at least £6 million into the game now, retaining over £5 million in reserves," Moffett states in his paper. "All WRU revenues belong to the Welsh rugby clubs, not the Union.

"The clubs entrust the WRU to manage those funds in the best interests of all in Welsh rugby and especially themselves. What is needed is a transparent strategic to this from the WRU and I see no evidence of that.

"I can only conclude that the WRU are knowingly keeping the clubs poor. Their policies are detrimental to the game. You the clubs, as owners, have the power to change this for the good of your clubs and the game in Wales."

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