David Moffett, the former group chief executive of the Welsh Rugby Union, has drawn up a blueprint he says will save the game in Wales. He is asking members clubs to call an emergency general meeting and back his plans for a structural shake-up.
Moffett, who in his tenure at the WRU between 2002 and 2005 introduced regional rugby and restructured a debt that was threatening the governing body’s ownership of the Millennium Stadium, has written a manifesto he will be sending to the 320 clubs next week.
He unveiled it on Friday at the Castle Hotel in Neath, where the WRU was founded in March 1881, and its plans include reducing the union’s board in number and appointing three independent non-executive directors, creating five regional boards as part of his decentralisation policy, introducing combined contracts for national squad players to help keep them in Wales, launching an immediate review of the WRU’s finances, investing in the women’s game and using rugby to promote the Welsh language.
Moffett intends to stand as a candidate for the WRU board. If elected, he will challenge David Pickering for the chairmanship and, replicating the model that has been drawn up for the European Cup next season, believes the chairman should become independent and drive the board with the group chief executive attending meetings without having a vote.
“A lot of the tensions that exist in Welsh rugby have arisen as a result of the incumbent WRU board and executive far exceeding their purpose,” said Moffett. “The administration has become dictatorial and undemocratic, making things worse for every club across Wales by denying them sufficient funds for growth.
“The board has voted to pay down debt two times faster than economically sensible, denying much-needed funding to clubs who need it now, it has increased international ticket prices beyond the reach of many, using the income to pay down debt, and it has £11m in reserves which it has not said how it intends to spend. The purpose of the WRU is to govern, not run every facet of rugby in Wales. Those in post currently seek to be involved in almost every aspect of administration and are denying any opportunity for the clubs to determine their own futures. They have asked the clubs to run their own businesses effectively but do not provide a suitable framework that allows this to happen.”
Moffett lives in New Zealand but returned to Wales in January because he was concerned at the dispute between the four Welsh regions and the WRU that led to the quartet refusing to commit to a continuation of a participation agreement. They have still to sign it, but earlier this month the WRU confirmed they would be playing in the Pro 12 next season.
“Welsh rugby should not be about personal posturing, politicking and media manipulation,” said Moffett, who called his manifesto One Wales: Building a Sustainable Future – Together. “Our very best players should not be enriching our international competitors’ domestic competitions and our national governing body should not be engaged in a cold war with its professional teams and their benefactors.”
Moffett, who quoted International Rugby Board figures showing that in terms of playing population Wales was 15th in the world, below Sri Lanka and the United States, said he was concerned the WRU was focusing on the exclusive at the expense of broadening appeal at the grassroots.
“The WRU has knocked on too many times to be allowed to continue on its path,” added Moffett, who has attracted the support of 15 volunteers to help spread his message to the clubs. “I have tried to engage with the WRU, but I have not had a response. I have come back because I care about Welsh rugby and recent successes of the national team against European sides should not mask the deep problems the game faces.”
He needs the support of 32 clubs to call an EGM. “My message to them is to act now, before it is too late. We need a thriving community game with higher participation levels (two clubs have folded this month), a meaningful semi-professional structure to provide a breeding ground for talent and professional teams drawing crowds and playing attractive rugby while having a healthy and creative relationship with the WRU.”
The Guardian has asked the WRU for a response. BBC Wales on Friday afternoon quoted the union as saying that it had no intention at this stage of commenting on anything in Moffett’s manifesto.
The heads of agreement for the new-look European Cup still have to be signed by all nine stakeholders. An announcement is now expected early next week, but it is understood that BT Sport and Sky have reached an agreement over TV coverage, with the latter writing to European Rugby Cup Ltd, which organises the Heineken Cup organisers, saying that it would not take litigation when the company folds having agreed a TV contract extension in 2012. It opens the way for ERC to release the two instalments of money it has withheld from participating teams this year to build up its reserves as insurance against lawsuits.
Article source: http://www.sport.co.uk/rugby/danny-care-targets-england-rugby-world-cup-triumph/4645873/
Former WRU chief David Moffett unveils manifesto for Welsh rugby
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