Welsh rugby needs a unity of purpose with the game at a critical crossroad

The Welsh Rugby Union will next week publish a new strategy (supported by Portas Consulting) on the future of the game in Wales.

I sincerely hope that everyone in Welsh rugby will get behind the union’s new chief executive Abi Tierney and engage positively and constructively with what is being considered.

I urge that a full and proper debate ensues, both earnestly and honestly over the coming months, and in good spirit, with a real desire for positive, lasting, and sustainable change for the benefit of all the game in Wales, recognising that change will continue to develop and evolve.

Moreover, I sincerely hope that the debate is as radical and as wide ranging as people will allow, directly involving all of those who are now responsible for the day to day management and governance of Welsh rugby at all levels of the game.

Most importantly the debate must be about the future, not the past, and to fight the battles in front of the game and not those behind it.

I believe there is a real appetite for change for the game in Wales, and we must encourage those in charge to seize this moment.

Roger Lewis

I have not met Abi and I am not aware of any of the documents contents, but I passionately believe that everyone who truly cares about the game in Wales should enter the debate with a mutual respect and tolerance for the views and opinions of all who are actively involved in its future, and behave in the most professional and constructive manner possible to drive through positive change.

The challenges facing the game are known to many, but that does not make them any easier to fix.

The context of the debate revolves around fundamental sporting and business questions, agreeing upon what the rugby priorities for the game in Wales are and for world rugby going forward, from participation levels in schools and clubs, for both boys and girls, to the question of how many players are needed to compete and succeed professionally today at club and international level.

And alongside this sits the question of how the game creates compelling and engaging rugby events which reach out and attract and sustain players and crowds week in, week out, attractive at the professional level to media and sponsors.

Most importantly these questions are underscored by the imperative to confront the reality of how much money can Wales and for that matter UK, European and World rugby generate and sustain to fund the ambitions of all of the game, recognising that rugby is not a fully professional sport beyond ten countries around the world, which are competing against a myriad of alternative activities.

The answer to these questions will inevitably impact on the short, mid and long term rugby priorities, whilst addressing what are the most appropriate managerial systems and game structures required to maximise opportunity, and what rugby and business staff and skills are required to take the game forward.

It’s not rocket science, but Wales has not yet landed anyone on the moon.

Wales must operate within a rugby and sporting world which is inevitably unbalanced, driven by vastly different demography and national, sporting and business cultures, which creates unequal opportunities for revenue, media and sponsorship growth. This is the brutal environment in which Welsh rugby operates. The need for rugby to work together now at local, national and world level for the survival of the game has never been greater.

This is why I passionately believe that we must alert those in Wales who have the responsibility and ability to address these critical matters, know, that they have our support, confidence, and encouragement to do the right thing.

The eyes of the sporting world will be upon Wales and this review comes at a critical time for the game well beyond our borders.

Wales needs a unity of rugby purpose today more than at any other time in its history.

As the group chief executive of the Welsh Rugby Union and the then Millennium Stadium for nine years from 2006 to 2015 I was fortunate to have worked with amazing people in Welsh rugby, many of whom are still doing great work for the game in Wales today, and I respect and care about them dearly. They deserve our trust and support.

And it is incumbent for those of us outside of the game to support those who now must deal with an ever-changing rugby world and most importantly to respect the dignity of the game in deliberations and debate.

Now is the time for those who care about Welsh rugby’s future to come together and to support and to encourage those in charge, and to give them confidence to be bold and decisive, recognising that evolution will continue.

Over the past month I have had the privilege and pleasure of witnessing close the genius of Antoine Dupont at the European Rugby Cup Final, an extraordinary Gallagher Rugby Premiership Final with my two sons at Twickenham and most significantly a deeply moving charity fundraising evening at my boyhood club, Cefn Cribwr RFC, with Warren Gatland, sitting amongst childhood friends. These three occasions vividly reminded me of why we all care about the game so much, why it is so magical and why we care about its future.

Rugby has and continues to give us so much pleasure; it is such a very special and precious game which brings us joy, fellowship, and friendship for life.

But make no mistake, the game has arrived at a critical and deeply serious crossroad, and the past few months have brought into sharp relief many of the challenges rugby is facing across the world, not just in Wales.

The demise in England of Wasps, alongside Worcester and London Irish, was shocking, and last month’s announcement by Rugby Australia to drop the Melbourne Rebels, with debts exceeding 23 million Australian dollars, from Super Rugby, continues a concerning global trend.

The fact that the RFU have been unable to secure a TV deal for the Japan v England game this weekend is sobering news for all, and the once governance world rugby leader, New Zealand, is now embroiled in a bitter dispute with its professional players. The list of world rugby challenges grows by the day and not just in Wales.

The call of the trumpet for positive and radical action in Welsh rugby is overwhelming. The need for a unity purpose between those in charge of all aspects of Welsh rugby is undeniable.

For all of us on the touchline and in the stand, we have a duty to support and encourage those who carry the burden of responsibility, and for us all to embrace the change they propose. It’s easy to throw insults if you are not on the field, but for those men and women who must make the hard and difficult decisions they deserve our support, and we should stand by them in this most challenging of times.

Roger Lewis was chief executive of the WRU and Millennium Stadium from 2006 -2015 where he also sat on the board of the European Cup and Celtic Rugby served as a director of the British and Irish Lions and was a member of the Six Nations Council and chair of Six Nations Womens’ game.

Prior to joining the WRU in a 40 year career his roles included head of BBC Radio 1, president of Decca Records and managing director of Classic FM.