INFO

Joint Supporters Group Cymru & Welsh Rugby Union Meeting

Date: 15thFebruary

Time: 18:00-19:10

Location: Zoom Call

Agenda:

Professional game structure and funding

Present:

WRU: Ieuan Evans, Malcolm Wall, Nigel Walker

Ospreys Supporters Club: Grant Berni, Cathy Green

Crys 16: Barrie Jones, Ian Lewis

Dragons Official Supporters Club: Dan Hallett

Cardiff Rugby Supporters Club: Hugh Campbell, Simon Harrington

CF10: Lynn Glaister

Minutes

  • BJ opened proceedings and thanked IE, MW and NW for meeting with JSG.
  • It was agreed by both parties that minutes would be taken and agreed by all present before they would be shared with the membership of the various groups represented by JSG
  • IE asked about the history of the JSG/WRU meetings and BJ explained that following a meeting with Roger Lewis, there were a series of regular meetings with Martyn Phillips and then Steve Phillips but that stopped in August 2021 with no explanation from the then incumbent management team at the WRU.
  • GB stated that from a supporters’ point of view it appears that the regions were being run into the ground due to the lack of a financial agreement (whether purposefully or by accident) and asked what the plan was to put this right.
  • MW stated that the clubs are not being run into the ground and added that over the last five years, the WRU and the clubs have been at fault in paying more out more than they’ve had coming in (most notably squad costs). MW added that COVID exacerbated that situation because the revenues to the clubs fell very significantly.
  • MW stated that after joining the WRU board, he had the responsibility to look at the pro game and felt that Welsh rugby has moved slowly, most notably compared to in England, in reducing its cost base.
  • MW stated that the pro teams have been sadly lacking in their ability to generate commercial revenues & noted the importance of the loyal supporter base but added that the average gates from all four clubs has not increased over the last 10 years.
  • MW stated that there was a 6-year funding framework worth over £300 million to the clubs over the next six years. The funding is made up from a number of component parts. The first part is the PRA funding which comes from the profits made from the WRU through their activities.  There is around £90 million revenue generating about £35 million of profits. A proportion goes to the community game and the large proportion to the professional game. The WRU have continued to raise its profits and therefore made more money available for the community/professional game.
  • MW added that the WRU are releasing the majority of CVC investment into the pro game over the next four years & that they were in the process of arranging a debt facility for the clubs. The clubs are also required to increase revenues over the next six years.
  • MW stated that he believed that after negotiating and agreeing heads of terms, they are very close to the long form agreement that maximised the amount of money coming into the game, however squad costs must be lower.
  • MW added that players’ current contracts would be honoured, but players don’t like some of the terms that are being offered going forward. MW added that he has a great deal of sympathy for the players.
  • GB stated that JSG had previously been told by the WRU that CVC money could not be used within the pro game.
  • MW replied that this had previously been the case & that he had convinced the WRU to go back and to renegotiate the terms of the CVC money in order to get it released to the clubs.
  • LG asked when the funding agreement would be completed.
  • MW replied that the clubs should have a long form agreement by 17th February & that if they were to sign it straight away, the monies would flow.
  • IL asked how the WRU plan to address the relationship between the WRU and the pro teams which had previously been described by the pro teams as parent-child, but by the WRU as 5 equals.
  • NW stated it was appropriate for him to pick up the question as he had referred to the relationship as one of parent-child when he was on the Cardiff Board. NW added he has repeated that statement when he appointed as the PD of the Welsh Rugby Union & had discussed it with Steve Phillips at length before his appointment as PD.  NW stated that when he was appointed, he wanted to change the relationship between the WRU and its regions, noting it was difficult at times.  He added that material had been leaked by people who have not been at meetings saying they’re representing the region.
  • NW stated that it was a collaborative partnership and he had mainly been liaising with John Daniels (Scarlets), Dan Griffiths and Corin Palmer (Ospreys), Dai Young and Richard Holland (Cardiff), and James Chapron (Dragons). NW encouraged JSG to ask clubs how they view the relationship with him and that the relationship he has with the club representatives is what he would like to exist across the WRU and regions at all levels.
  • IE stated that he was part of the panel that appointed Nigel in the role of PD and that every relationship has peaks and troughs, and the scar tissue needs to be dealt with to develop and strengthen relationships in the future. IE added that to get alignment, clear communication. clarity and collaboration are needed.
  • IE stated that resource hadn’t been optimised in the past & the only way to keep hitting above our weight was by working together.
  • MW stated that NW had made huge difference on the playing side but that there was still a poor commercial relationship, which had been described by one club as toxic, partly because the way the financial funding was set on an annual basis. The annual model led to six months of negotiation with clubs looking at short term gain, taking away the focus on academies.  MW added that the purpose of the six-year framework was to give everyone a good idea of where they stand financially.  MW noted that they wanted to improve the commercial relationship in the same way NW had improved the playing relationship.
  • CG asked how the WRU proposed to improve the commercial relationship.
  • MW explained that it was two-fold. Firstly, the funding agreement where teams would have a clear view of revenue from the different include streams (PRA, CVC, URC and commercial activities) and secondly by getting the clubs to work better together & that they had brought in a consultant to work on improving commercial prospects collectively.
  • MW started that he hates the term ‘region’, and we should think of them as clubs going forward, adding a sense of community.
  • MW noted that more needs to be done on engagement via social media (noting that the clubs’ social media is not as good as their local football clubs), pricing for children and making more out of projects such as Judgement Day.
  • LG noted that major reasons that crowds are down were that our league takes away the ability of most people to be an away fan as well as being linked to poor kick-off time slots that stop younger children attending. She added that there is an understanding around television kick-off requirements but asked what the WRU can do with the clubs to help.
  • MW stated that each club gets around £2.5m from URC television money & that the teams will stay in the URC, He then added that he sympathised with the concerns of playing in a geographically disparate league & noted that there is working group looking at timings of games.
  • DH noted that previous talks about potential mergers between the Osprey and Scarlets had not gone down well & asked if there would be a commitment to continue with four teams.
  • MW stated that there was agreement that having four clubs was in the best interest of the individual professional clubs as well as the national interest in terms of feed for the national team. MW added that the financial offer and the contractual offers are all based upon four teams, including a smaller fraction of finance from the private owners of the teams. MW stated that if a private shareholder fails to provide funding, it will be impossible for the WRU to step in and provide that finance, leading to a requirement for structural change.
  • DH asked about timescales for transfer of ownership of the Dragons.
  • MW stated that the ongoing work for a consortium to take the Dragons into private ownership is directly linked to the funding model being agreed. MW noted that there is a 6 year business plan for the Dragons & this was to be reviewed by the consortium on 21st February.  MW was very optimistic on the transfer in terms of the consortium & also that the other clubs felt uneasy about asymmetric ownership, adding that either all clubs should be privately owned or all WRU owned.
  • BJ noted that the low likelihood of supporters transferring to another club gets missed and that Martyn Phillips seemed surprised at the reaction to the Scarlets and Ospreys merger debate.
  • MW noted that the point is not missed, and IE added that there is a value to the tribal element & that the value of loyalty is important.
  • MW noted that one of the reasons Wasps failed was having six different locations and expecting the supporter based to grow.
  • IL asked how the WRU were planning to ensure the financial survival of the clubs in the interim, given that no payments had been made to date
  • MW stated that two of the clubs have taken short term loans from the WRU to meet to meet their payroll in the last two months, so the WRU has done everything it can to keep these clubs alive until longer term funding is in place
  • IL asked if there will be a 12 months interim deal before we get to the six year deal?
  • MW confirmed that the 6-year deal includes this year, including an enhanced payment for the current financial year.
  • LG noted that the confidence of the players has been hit, especially with around 90 players out of contract at the end of this season & asked what the WRU will do to giver players confidence about wanting to stay in Wales & also asked if the 60-cap rule was remaining.
  • MW stated that the WRU had made a press release during our meeting that makes it clear that all existing contracts were being honoured and that the WRU are offering new terms and contracts. MW noted that the reasons for the concerns are that contract negotiations are three months later than usual and that some players will see a 20% reduction to their income.
  • MW made it clear that the offers are not in line with market values market but that there are some well-funded English and French rugby clubs, who will be able to afford to pay more leading to the loss of one or two more players. MW added that this is regrettable, but it is the price we pay to have four sustainable clubs.
  • MW stated that players will have to decide on either staying in Wales, giving up pro rugby, or leaving Wales in the knowledge that (depending on where we are on 60 caps) they might not play for their Wales again. MW added that players can earn up to £100k if they play in all internationals matches in a year & that under the new agreement, the average earnings of a professional player for Wales, not including international income is £100,000 a year.  MW noted we are not going to go through this unsettling period again once a 6-year framework is in place.
  • LG stated that if academy and young talented players have had their confidence knocked, this could have an impact on the game in three to four years.
  • MW noted that one of the funding conditions is that every club has to increase development and academy funding MW added that conversion rate from the community game must be 2%, which is far higher than in other sports.
  • HC asked if changes are planned to the strategy for the pro game development pathways and the community game and how they may dovetail together.
  • NW stated that John Alder (head of player development) has put together a framework for the academies. Each academy will have to apply for a licence & need to meet certain obligations.  NW added that he has worked with Geraint John (Community director) to make sure that there is a smooth transition from the community game from under 12 boys through to the under 18s in particular, to keep more boys in the sport for longer. NW added that the first thing he did was establish a women’s strategy group to ensure a pathway from under 12s through to national under 18s, under 20s and a development team below the now professional national team.
  • NW noted that it would take three or four years to see the benefits of the new frameworks and strategies.
  • IE added that it’s about future proofing in terms of skills and coaching to develop players in line with where the laws of the game are going in the future.
  • LG asked if proposals include the pro teams having women’s’ teams.
  • NW stated that discussion had started with regions but that it was Higher Education establishments winning tenders for development centres as they were willing to fund better facilities for the girls.
  • MW noted that having been associated with a club (Harlequins) that won the woman’s and men’s Premiership in the same year, the positives of having two successful teams within the organisation was immeasurable in terms of both the community and commercial sides of the club.
  • IE endorsed MW’s point on the women’s game & noted that the Lions have carried out a feasibility study of a women’s Lions team for the same reason.
  • BJ commended NW for the work he has done on the women’s game.
  • Before NW and IE left the meeting, it was agreed that a regular series of meetings between JSG and the WRU would be set up again.
  • JSG thanked IE and NW for their time
  • BJ asked it if the 6-year deal could make the pro teams competitive.
  • MW stated that he thinks money had been badly spent in the past and that other Northern Hemisphere clubs spending £7m and have achieved more in Europe than Cardiff have with the same budget. MW added that the elite players are receiving a premium, but the salaries of the player who may get 150 games plus for their clubs and maybe a few international caps are under the greatest pressure, as they’ve been overpaid compared to market value.
  • MW stated that the Irish models are being looked at and noted the success of Leinster’s pathways in terms of school scholarships. MW added that results will take some time & we will have to build commercially to reinvest in the squads.
  • LG asked what size squads will be in the future & noted how difficult it is during the international windows when players are not released back to their clubs.
  • MW stated that he expects squad sizes of 45 & that NW had been working on better relationships between pro teams and the Premiership to provide a backfill. MW added that a flexible loan system between clubs was part of the framework & gave the example that if one club had a back row problem, they can request the loan of a player from another club.
  • MW noted it’s not good for the players if one club is effectively warehousing players.
  • CG stated that that success brings crowds & that clubs will struggle to grow crowds watching teams losing against sides with bigger budgets.
  • MW challenged the premise that success drives crowd growth & added that he has used Nick Hogan (recently ran the RL World Cup) to review the topic. MW noted added that success allows the supporter base to be built more quickly but it is also possible to build the fanbase without success on the field through better marketing and better engagement. MW stated that a more youthful audience needs to be brought in through making rugby more of an event, selling the prospect discounting heavily to children and developing the links between community clubs and pro clubs.
  • CG stated that there needs to be a degree of empathy for the players who are facing 20% pay cuts & asked if they are being offered any financial advice or counselling
  • MW agreed that empathy for the players is important and stated that they are working with the WRPA and Gareth Lewis (WRPA chief executive) to provide welfare officers to give players better financial training.
  • MW stated that the consequence of not reducing players wages was a reduction to three clubs and making players redundant. MW added that 4 clubs, with some reduction in salaries, provides a better product for the long term.
  • CG asked how other European wages compared to the new contract offers.
  • MW stated that the budgets are in line with average European budgets but are significantly lower than wealthier clubs such as Lyon, Toulon and Leicester
  • IL asked if MW thought clubs would be voting for or against the governance changes.
  • MW stated he’s visited Glamorgan Wanderers & Crumlin & is due at Neath & so far responses have been very good. MW added that as a matter of principal he could not stay on the Board if the governance vote does not reach the 75% required for change, noting that he joined the WRU with promises of governance changes to address the lack of diversity.
  • MW stated that the Principality Building Society and other partners would also walk away if governance changes were not made, with devastating consequences.
  • DH asked if there is a specific strategy to engage with the community clubs on the governance changes.
  • MW explained that there is a full campaign planned to run until 26th March via roadshows, ads in the press, social media exposure & endorsements from key influencers. MW added that the last campaign was badly run and resulted in 66% of the vote.
  • MW reaffirmed that JSG and the WRU should meet regularly as the money spent by supporters on season tickets and supporting their clubs was vital.
  • BJ closed by thanking MW for his time.

 

I don’t know whether I’m trying to avoid apathy or suppress anger.  Well, actually I do – if it were apathy, I wouldn’t be writing this.

Welsh rugby seems to be using it’s last bullets to blow off whatever toes it hasn’t already dismembered.  At probably the most critical time that the sport has seen in Wales, there are individuals who seem to be doing their utmost to make things even worse (and maybe they do or don’t realise that they are part of the problem).  When you list what’s got us to this situation, its a truly shameful place that we’ve ended up in.

Parts of the press seem to delight in digging up any old click-bait headline, whether based on truths, half-truths, half-baked opinions, or just plain imagination.

Ex-players, now pundits in the public eye (and not just on social media) are making statements that are on the point of libellous, with statements along the lines of “in particular the Ospreys are struggling financially” – really?  REALLY?  With a relatively modest level of funding from the WRU under the existing model, the Ospreys have benefited greatly from the backing of the Y11 Group.  It genuinely looks like a model setup in terms of the imminent 6-year funding model in terms of developing private revenue streams.

One rugby administrator is suggesting taking a step back in terms of governance changes and an ex WRU CEO is suggesting shutting down the most successful Welsh club in the last 20 years.  Do either of these ideas suggest that Welsh rugby will be still sitting at the top table in 5 years?  I do wonder if we’ve already lost that right.  Without four competitive professional clubs, Team Wales will surely continue to crumble.  I’m pretty sure that wise investment in the teams will improve performances and results, bringing in new revenues and result in a self-fulfilling improvement cycle.  Surely shrinking the professional influence at board level, shrinking the player base, and shrinking funding of the professional game is just short sighted (and an echo of the thoughts of previous WRU management).

I do wonder how much of the garbage that seems to pop up on sometimes a daily basis is from people diverting attention away from the plight of their own former clubs or just to gain attention for themselves.  This is a time when point scoring at the expense of others could weaken the entire micro-climate of the game in Wales.

Clubs have been told they must find minimum levels of private revenue as part of the new 6-year funding agreement. This is hard at the best of times, but given the constant grumblings and rumours on the future of the clubs, the commercial teams must be pulling their hair out.  Potential deals might not make it over the line or potentially be devalued massively.  Is this the way to build for the future?  Is this the way to encourage new funding into the sport we love?  Hardly.

Supporters might get wound up by the Ospreys silence in dealing with the nonsense we’ve heard in the past few months with the latest around Ealing mergers, Y11 pulling out, Joe Hawkins going to Exeter, & an ex WRU CEO saying the Ospreys should be axed.  I understand the Ospreys’ position that if they start dealing with the garbage, due to the volume of it, the one comment they don’t respond to will be assumed to be true, however, people fill voids with whatever satisfies their own mind, for better (rarely) or for worse (regularly – as anyone who spends any time on twitter will know first hand).

We find PRB trying to force through a funding model that was the mandate of the WRU’s former CEO, and look at the carnage that this is causing.  There must be a transition from where we are now to a model with longer term horizons, but the transition from the here and now to next season looks like a train wreck – and who knows who’ll survive?

There must be an element of the staff and players at the club who are really struggling with the perceived pressure.  It’s hard enough for us as supporters to go through the mill hearing the latest rumours, but at least for us, our investment is JUST our heart and soul (and as much money as we can justify in following our teams around Europe and the URC), and for us, it’s not the way that we pay our mortgage, our bills and provide for our families.

I’ve seen the phrase “Read the room” used regularly on social media recently around Welsh rugby, so let’s try to help and not hinder.

Now is not the time to back track on proposed governance changes.  Now is not the time to shaft one professional team to benefit another.  Now is not the time to hide.

Now is the time for people to do what’s right and not what’s easy.  Now is the time for the right people to stand up and lead us forward. Now is the time for YOU to support YOUR team.

 

Grant Berni

Chair

Ospreys Supporters Club

I am fairly sure that everyone is (sadly) aware of the chaos that Welsh rugby appears to be sat firmly in the middle of, at the moment!  Whereas all of us want to see national teams that are 100% competitive and successful, many of us realise that the domestic game is in dire need of some TLC!  Now I can assure that I am no builder!  In fact, my wife will gladly testify that in my case, the term DIY, can be interpreted as, “Destroy it yourself!”  That said, even I recognise you cannot put the roof on any structure, until the foundations are soundly in place and maintained!  If we continue with this analogy, then the amateur and semi professional game, together with the four professional sides are the absolute foundations that lead to the success of our national teams!  

If we continue in this mode, failing to agree a financial deal which will allow the funding of our four professional sides, together with the structure needed to consolidate and develop the semi professional and community game to the maximum effect; then the future looks bleak indeed!  It is estimated that there are around 90 players across the four Regions, out of contract at the end of this season.  We have already lost two promising players, choosing to move away from Cymru, in order to protect their future!  With the afore mentioned number out of  contract, it doesn’t take a genius to calculate a potentially catastrophic scenario here! 

Maybe it is about time that the WRU grasps the fact that the old cliché that we hear in January, “the rugby starts next week,” is in fact totally inaccurate!  For those of you reading this and rugby supporters across the regions and community clubs; the rugby starts in September, where a love of the game and for some, future professional development is nurtured and provided with a context to build future internationals!

With this in mind, the OSC , together with other three Regions who form the Joint Supporters Group (JSG) have been campaigning for prompt action on behalf of the WRU, in order bring some order the present chaos and agree a financial settlement for our professional sides.  Without this being resolved, Toby and other coaches cannot hope to build for next season and for future development!

Please support the campaign! Ein Gêm Ein Dyfodol! Our game our Future!

Keith

Secretary

Ospreys Supporters Club

#SaveOurGame #EinGêmEinDyfodol

https://saveourgame.wales/

As part of JSG Cymru, along with Crys 16, CF10 Rugby Trust, Cardiff Rugby Supporters Club and Dragons Official Supporters Club, we have written an open letter to WRU CEO Steve Phillips and WRU Chair Ieuan Evans in an attempt to restart regular dialogue that stopped abruptly in August 2021.  We have also urged the WRU to come to an agreement with the four professional  clubs to secure the livelihoods of players, coaches and staff, providing a solid foundation for the international team.

To keep up to date with developments, please check out https://saveourgame.wales/ and follow JSG Cymru on Twitter

#SaveOurGame
#EinGêmEinDyfodol

SECRETARY’S REPORT

Croeso cynnes iawn / a very warm welcome to the OSC Annual General Meeting. To begin with, it was great to return to watching live rugby last season and it is fair to say that the end of the season, did not disappoint for Ospreys supporters.

As always, my sincerest thanks go to my fellow officers and committee members. Without your continuous hard work and conscientious application of the fundamental principles which OSC is built, none of the successes that we have achieved, would be possible!

Again, diolch yn fawr am bopeth!

Speaking of those core principle, our activities have once again ranged from supporting related charities to arranging transport to home and away games and selling merchandise and travel tickets, in our new online shop. Match days have continued to be great success, with the Riverside going from strength to strength. Again, many thanks to you all for making pre and post match activities so successful!

As I am sure you are all aware, being a member of the OSC committee is a demanding position! It is incumbent on all members of the committee to endeavour to play an active role in committee activities and our members have not shied away from this principle, even though at times, it can be, quite simply hard work.

In conclusion, here’s to a great season ahead.

Keith Collins


CHAIR’S REPORT

Last season saw moderate success on the pitch with us winning the Welsh Shield and with it the right to play in the European Champions Cup again. Off the pitch, the OSC has continued to expand our services with the addition of a proper online shop as well as moving from matchday raffles to Toby’s Tombola – which has been very popular with supporters.

Working relationships with the Ospreys are strong, who regularly attend our committee meetings, as well as CEO Nick Garcia visiting the Riverside bar on matchday to directly address supporters concerns. We’ve also had support from the Ospreys in providing live music at some matchdays – this all goes to help supporters’ matchday experience & is very much appreciated.

Work continues with Joint Supporters Group Cymru despite a wall of silence from the WRU & we met with heads of the four Welsh pro teams in July.

I’d like to thank the committee members for their hard work throughout the season and in particular, say thanks to those who’ve have left the committee Ian and Ann Taylor and Dai Phillips (who’s Xmas cracker quality jokes will be sorely missed at committee meetings) – and not forgetting to thank Katherine Hewlett for coming on board during the season.

We have plans to further improve what we do on the committee to make us more effective in delivering our objectives:

  1. To be the best supporters club around
  2. To improve supporters’ match day experience
  3. To promote and support Ospreys Rugby

Thanks again the committee members, the Ospreys and most of all our membership – here’s to the new season.

Grant Berni


TREASURER’S REPORT

Year ending 30/06/22

We opened the 2021 /22 season with a carried forward balance of £2,360 and at the 30 th of June, we reported a closing balance of £2,214. Overall, the reported balance was down just £146 post running costs for the season.

Within that I would just like to take some time to highlight some figures of note:

We received £1,000 in sponsorship money from Sportsbreak. We would like to note our thanks to Sportsbreak for their continued support, enabling us to fund our Player of the Month and Player of the Season awards.

Raffle and Tombola money totalled £1,100 – thanks for this must go to the loyal supporter base and Riverside regulars for their ongoing support. It is with this support that we are able to continue our charitable donations and also, our ongoing efforts to create a positive match day experience for supporters.

The sale of AWJ’s kit brought in an outstanding £1,735.

In total last season, we were able to support donations to charities and good causes for an amount in excess of £5,000.

  • Our chosen charity last season was Ospreys in the Community and we were delighted to present them with a cheque for £3,027.
  •  also worked with supporters in the Riverside to collect money in support of our own Ifan Phillips, raising in excess of £1500 to help Ifan with his rehabilitation.
  • James Hook ‘s testimonial charities – Mind & Wales Air Ambulance shared £250. This came from previous seasons’ fund raising, but this was the first opportunity post COVID to make the presentation and donation.
  • £100 was donated to the Brain Injury Unit at Morriston Hospital
  • £150 was donated to the Duke of Edinburgh Award as a way of acknowledging the contribution to our fundraising efforts from AWJ’s kit sales. We also intend to donate £150 to the Golau cancer charity from the monies raised.
  • All of the above has been raised through badge, raffle and tombola sales, plus the selling of AWJ’s donated kit and an auction of signed Ospreys shirts. A remarkable total and testament to the incredible generosity of our supporter base.

In terms of expenditure, we spent £775 on Groggs / our Player of the Month and Season awards. As previously noted, this outgoing is covered by the sponsorship received from Sportsbreak.

Badge sales covered the initial outlay of £426, with any profit then being added to our fundraising for OitC.

We lost £178 on buses ran last season – this was for away games to Hartpury and the Dragons, as well as the Neath bus to home games. This loss was absorbed by the OSC within our running costs for the season.

£100 was spent on live music entertainment, to help build the supporter match day experience in the Riverside. We would like to note our thanks to the Ospreys for their contribution to this on other select match days.

That concludes the report in terms of the figures, but I just wanted to reference some other developments that have a financial link. In order to provide supporter’s with more convenient methods of payment, we have continued to develop our online shop and made our away day travel available to purchase online. We have also invested in SUMUP payment technology, so we are able to accept card payments on match day in the Riverside. All of this requires input and time investment from other members of the committee, which is greatly appreciated by myself and the committee as a whole.

Louse Collins

Our new 2022-23 OSC badges are now available!

To purchase a badge, visit us in the Riverside Bar on matchday or check out our online shop – click here to visit the shop

All profits from badge sales this year are going to support Ospreys in the Community’s Sporting Memories project


Sporting Memories

Sporting memories last a lifetime. The idea of the project is to get older people together to talk about sport. It could be a game they once played in, a great match they witnessed, or meeting a famous sports star from the past.

Through the project, Ospreys in the Community work closely with local rugby clubs to provide a friendly welcoming club environment for individuals. They can come for a chat, a cup of tea, a chance to meet new people, and increase their physical activity by participating in some of the activities on offer.

Helen John
“OUR AIM IS TO ENGAGE WITH PEOPLE IN THEIR LOCAL RUGBY OR COMMUNITY CLUB.  CREATING A SAFE AND FAMILIAR ENVIRONMENT WHERE WE CAN ENCOURAGE CONVERSATIONS AND REMINISCE ABOUT SPORT. THE PROGRAMME AIMS TO TACKLE SOCIAL ISOLATION AND LONELINESS.”

The Sporting Memories Foundation is the World’s first charity dedicated to Sports Reminiscence and Physical Activities. 

The Sporting Memories project supports older people living with dementia, depression and loneliness by engaging them in social activities and helping them to recall memories of watching or playing sport. By sharing memories, such as recalling #MyFirstGame and tapping into a passion for sport the project helps people to connect with others and with their past, reawakening positive thoughts and feelings that otherwise remain hidden away.

The  Annual General Meeting of the Ospreys Supporters Club will be held at 19:00 on
Monday 10th October at the Swansea.com stadium.

All Ospreys season ticket holders are OSC members, and as such are invited to attend the AGM and to stand for election to the committee, should they wish to do so. 

We currently have vacancies on the committee. If you have the energy, commitment and the skills to contribute to the OSC, please email secretary@ospreyssupportersclub.com to find out more or to submit an application to join the committee.

Applicants must be current season ticket holder and be proposed by one other current season tickets holders.

If you would like to attend the meeting, please email secretary@ospreyssupportersclub.com

Looking forward to seeing you there! 

Attendees:

Crys16: Barrie Jones, Ian Lewis, Paul Casey

CF10: Lynn Glaister, Andy Baker

Cardiff Supporters Club: Simon Harrington      

Dragons Official Supporters Club: Daniel Hallett, Ryan Price

Ospreys Supporters Club: Grant Berni, Cathy Green, Keith Collins

CEO’s/Club Reps: Simon Muderack (Scarlets), Alun Jones(Cardiff ), Paul Whapham (Ospreys), David Buttress(Dragons)      

Apologies:

Ospreys CEO – Nick Garcia (Replaced with Paul Whapham)

 

Items Discussed

1. Barrie Jones welcomed everyone and gave an introduction to the meeting explaining the principles of JSG Cymru and agreeing the terms for the review and issuing of the minutes.

He welcomed the 4 Representatives of the clubs.

 

2. The 4 Club representatives gave some welcoming words and a discussion around the principle of the meeting and what they hope to achieve from the meeting as well as the expectations of the JSG.

 

3. A discussion then took place regarding the usefulness of the meeting with the Club representatives and the timing interval for future meetings. It was seen that the meeting is a positive and important part of the JSG and all were keen to see it continue.

 

4. Discussion regarding the JSG–WRU Relationship and how are the clubs working within the PRB and WRU

  • The Club representatives gave a summary of how and what they want to see in future:
  • They were keen to show that the 4 clubs are working together with PRB/WRU
  • They are looking for a funding model not just for 12 months but a model that will sustain them into the future – Multiyear
  • Malcolm Wall (New PRB Chairman) has been really beneficial to the PRB and his contribution is being well received
  • The Club Representatives were keen to show that real progress is being made
  • Answers to the issues must be collective answers, applicable to the 4 clubs
  • The time is right now for a Fix once- Fix for all
  • They accepted that the final agreement is difficult but the 4 clubs are working to achieve this and remain positive
  • They recognised the difficulties that Covid has brought to the clubs
  • They need a plan to get the clubs out of debt
  • WRU – if this doesn’t work then it will be down to people and not the plan
  • All 4 clubs are showing alignment and camaraderie which was welcomed by them

 

5.  Are there any reasons for why things cannot be achieved/moved forward?

  • The culture in Welsh rugby is very difficult to move
  • Pro Rugby in Wales is intrinsic to Welsh Rugby.
  • There is a need to establish Club Rugby
  • A bottom-up Model is seen as a possible fix from grass roots recognising that the current Model is broken
  • It is seen that a change in the WRU Governance model is needed
  • To do the changes which clearly need to happen will require time
  • Welsh Rugby can still attract good people

 

6. Question was asked regarding the WRU’s lack of presence at this meeting

  • This particular meeting was a JSG/CEO meeting
  • The last meeting with the WRU was Aug 2021 and though many emails and communication were initial forthcoming, no further meeting has been forthcoming even though one was initially proposed after the 2021 autumn internationals.
  • This issue will be raised by the CEOs at the PRB.
  • A general debate then took place regarding the scrutiny of the WRU and the relationship the PRB/clubs have with the WRU
  • It was felt that Malcolm Wall would be of benefit to the meeting and would probably welcome his participation as long as Steve Phillips (WRU) was to attend.

 

7. Question raised regarding the Dragons ownership.

  • To progress this matter DB made it clear that a sustainable financial model was required, not just for 1 year but to be seen as a 3-4 year model so sustainable plans can be put in place.

 

8. Question raised regarding the Financial Models

  • A discussion took place regarding the financial model including (WRU) player funding – it was seen that there has to be a better way than how it is currently
  • There has to be accountability to the funding and recognising that there are things the 4 clubs can do together such as shared procurement.
  • However, the clubs must be competitive.

 

9. URC Relationship

  • The relationship with the URC is improving and the product does have a strategy and is seen as a supporter friendly product
  • The league has to grow and the Welsh clubs need to be competitive in that league and will go from strength to strength. It was felt that without a comparable budget and access to our best players throughout the season, this would be difficult to achieve.
  • The Club representatives feel that the addition of the South African clubs as being a bonus and in time will show big benefits to the league. It was recognised that travel to away matches in SA was difficult.
  • Debate regarding the timing of kick offs and the difficulty due to ground sharing. Scheduling of the games is very complex and not always to everyone’s liking. The fixtures are disjointed and can result in long periods of home and away games. This will not help in growing the game.
  • It was recognised that quite simply the Welsh Clubs do not win enough games.
  • A general discussion regarding how league can be improved.
  • Welsh clubs need to be competitive; they need player access more than is currently given. In respect of this it was felt by all that we must strive to get the best players available to the clubs.

 

10. League refereeing standards

  • Clarity was sought about the current referees. URC being seen as a “training” ground. Discussion regarding how Welsh referees are funded and match allocated. . CG – feel that the English prem clubs and supporters clubs would not accept the same level of officiating as we have in the URC. It would be interesting to know the finances, training and expectations of the URC for the officials used in the league. While inexperienced and inconsistent officiating is still an issue, she feels that the image of the league will never appear professional, and supporter buy in will continue to reflect this. 
    The Cardiff, Scarlets and Dragons CEOs said they would take this concern back to the URC.
  • Discussion took place about how the standards, especially in the current English set up, is much higher and consistent.

 

  1. Premier TV
  • Discussion regarding the product supplied by Premier TV
  • The Club representatives feel it is value for money – every game is televised.
  • No consistency in approach – favouring some teams
  • No after match analysis
  • The JSG view is that the commentary can be very suspect/biased
  • The Club Representatives will raise this issue with the URC/Broadcaster

 

  1. AOB
  • Fixtures will be made available shortly (before end of July)
  • Discussion regarding timing of meetings
    1. 6 Monthly with PRB/WRU
    2. 6 monthly with just JSG members

Meeting closed 20:45

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