"Together - Wales is a shambles"

By Matt Reid (28/07/03)
July 28 2003

Once again, the blazer and beer belly brigade stop the few professionals at the WRU moving forward in their continued pursuit to rid the Union of the albatross of debt that hangs around it's neck. New Page 5

"Together - Wales in Union"
"Together - Wales is a shambles"
This fiasco says to the rugby world that Welsh rugby is not moving forward, it is running back to the dark ages.

It continues to astound the rugby world how this multi million pound business can be continually dictated to by inexperienced, un-qualified, self interested committee men, who tell the likes of David Moffett if you don't do what we say we will vote you out. This is farcical, we need to move on and make business decisions appropriately, if we need to make £400,000 worth of savings and this is the best way to do it, so be it, their decisions should not questioned, the WRU pay these men high salary's to ensure they serve in the Unions best interest.

I cannot see how Wales will become a power again in world rugby unless the internal structure is right, we have made a start with the provincial set up (not without its problems, again caused by the clubs) However we also need to make the decision making process quicker and more efficient, this will only come with a breakaway from tradition and by giving the executive committee total control, therefore stopping veto's from the clubs who really only have their own interest at heart which is understandable.

The clubs will say we need now to develop grass roots and youth rugby to bring the players up to the standard required and this requires funding and yes it does. Wales must lead the world in developing talent over the next few years if we are going to catch up, however if the WRU do fund youth rugby the clubs must be completely accountable for it and only spend the money on this type of development work.

Does this warrant £8000 per year? We don't know, what we do know is that currently there is no control within the power executive at the Union through no fault of their own, to move forward this must change and allow the businessmen to run the business of professional rugby.


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