Welsh Rugby Union: Governing body confirm EGM date over club funding row

Chairman Gareth Davies speaking at the Welsh Rugby Union Annual General Meeting in November 2019

The Welsh Rugby Union have announced an extraordinary general meeting will be held on 29 March following a row with clubs over funding.

The governing body last week confirmed 34 member clubs had triggered the meeting because of a new funding model.

The meeting will be held at the Vale hotel in Hensol.

WRU chairman Gareth Davies said last week the meeting's timing was unfortunate but "welcomed the chance to debate these important issues."

The WRU say the clubs called the meeting to propose, the current section of funding allocated to all community clubs based on a points system, should revert to terms used in the previous season.

The 'audit' is a points-based system through which the WRU allocates £1.8m of the £2.8m direct funding received by clubs in Wales.

The remainder of the direct funding, the 'core grant', is allocated to clubs who enter and compete in the National Leagues.

The WRU say the £1.8m in community funding allocated through the audit is part of a larger ringfenced £11.8m which goes to the community game as a whole.

While the distribution models differ, the WRU say the amount of total funding allocated to clubs is identical for both the old and new audit.

The governing body claim the average funding allocated to an individual club by virtue of the new audit points system is approximately £6,500.

They say this number was the same under the old audit, with the average number of £5,800 five years ago This funding is provided in addition to the 'core grant' of £4,000 for eligible clubs.

The WRU claim changes between the old and new audit included increased points for mini and junior festivals and for alternative formats of rugby and greater usage of clubs intended to broaden the game's appeal and make clubs more sustainable.

The WRU claim the new audit was completed online with a new implemented system where players and coaches self-register, providing up to date information and reducing administrative burden on volunteers.

The IT system suffered significant performance issues as the deadline loomed which led to frustration for many club volunteers and there were grievances raised over this.

The WRU say that issue is now fixed and the information provided is the most accurate picture of the game in Wales.

The 34 clubs who have called the meeting are Aberavon Quins, Aberavon Green Stars, Baglan, Bridgend Sports, Bridgend Ravens, Briton Ferry, Bryncethin, Bryncoch, Cwmavon, Glyncorrwg, Heol Y Cyw, Kenfig Hill, Maesteg, Maesteg Celtic, Maesteg Quins, Nantyfyllon, Neath, Neath Athletic, Ogmore Vale, Pontrhydyfen, Pontycymmer, Porthcawl, Pyle, Skewen, TATA, Taibach, Tonna, Tonmawr, Tondu, Brynmawr, Llanishen, Carmarthen Athletic, Felinfoel and Penygroes.

The exact motion is: "To rescind the decision of the WRU Community Game Board in December 2019 on wherein they resolved to implement a new funding model 'new audit' to replace the previous season's 'old audit' and that the final instalment of the WRU development grant is calculated and paid in accordance with the 'old audit' and not by any reference to the 'new audit'."