Fans brand WRU announcement on funding of regions 'concerning and disappointing'

Supporters have branded the Welsh Rugby Union's (WRU's) announcement on how the four regional clubs will be funded as "very disappointing".
On Sunday (18 May) the WRU revealed it would no longer be evenly funding all four clubs after Ospreys and Scarlets did not sign up to its new Professional Rugby Agreement (PRA25) - while Dragons and Cardiff did.
Cardiff were taken over by the WRU in April after having served formal notification that they intended to enter administration. Last week Ospreys and Scarlets said they had asked the WRU for assurances that the takeover 'will not disproportionally benefit Cardiff and disadvantage the independent clubs'.
Until the clubs received more "clarity" on this, it said both were "unable to sign the PRA25".
This latest announcement from the WRU has left Ospreys and Scarlets fans worried about the future of their club.
Gareth Storey, from the Scarlets Supporters Trust, said it was really disappointing to find out the news.
He said: "We as supporters we met with the WRU several weeks ago and we were given assurances that the model would be equitable funding and that's obviously changed recently.
"And again - more uncertainty in Welsh rugby, which is causing complete destabilisation at the end of the season and we want to be able to push on and compete for silverware in the coming years to come."
Mr Storey feels the WRU is not working together with the regions.
"I think the WRU needs to take the collaborative approach," he said.
"By the media leaks and yesterday's statement, it feels like that's not the approach they're looking to take at the moment which is very disappointing.
"They need to work with the clubs, Scarlets and Ospreys in particular, and they need to give the assurances that have been sought around funding and what the future looks like.
"We've spoken recently, since Abi Tierney came into post 18 months ago, about that collaborative relationship and how things between the professional clubs and the WRU needed to improve.
"And then we are still in the same situation it feels like in a week to week, month to month basis - where the clubs are almost at war with the WRU again because there isn't agreement."
Following Sunday's announcement, WRU chief executive Abi Tierney said: 'We are continuing to talk to all four clubs about what the future will hold.
'We recognise this will be time of uncertainty and are committed to treating all the clubs, players, and supporters with respect and fairness throughout this process.
'We acknowledge the continued commitment of each club to Welsh rugby and will formulate a new plan with the best interests of the whole game in Wales at the forefront of our thinking.
'When I announced the headline strategy back in July 2024, I said one thing is for certain, given the challenges facing rugby in Wales and globally, there will be times when we need to adjust our course. We must seize this opportunity.'
Professional Rugby Board chair Malcolm Wall said: 'The next phase of consultation, as always, will be conducted with the best interests of the whole of Welsh rugby at its heart.'

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Wales Online

13 minutes ago

• Wales Online

The ghost Burger King on a Welsh roundabout which was built but has never opened

The ghost Burger King on a Welsh roundabout which was built but has never opened The fast food giants won the right to set up shop after an appeal in 2023 The Burger King in Bridgend is located off the A48 Picton Court roundabout (Image: Lewis Smith ) Residents in a Welsh town have been asking why a new drive-through restaurant still hasn't been opened. Those who live near the outskirts of Bridgend say despite a new Burger King being built in the Wickes car park off the A48 Picton Court roundabout for a number of months, it has never actually opened. There has been controversy since the two-storey building off the busy road was given the go-ahead in 2023. This came after a previous planning refusal for the project from Bridgend County Borough Council. ‌ It was initially refused because the authority said there was a lack of capacity for the volume of traffic the restaurant would generate, as well as there being no pedestrian crossing at the nearby roundabout. ‌ However, the fast food giants won the right to set up shop after appeal when the planning inspector dismissed the council's objections saying they had failed to provide evidence to support the claims. Get daily breaking news updates on your phone by joining our WhatsApp community here . We occasionally treat members to special offers, promotions and ads from us and our partners. See our Privacy Notice It meant Bridgend Council also had to pay costs to the applicant for the appeal, as it was deemed to have behaved "unreasonably" by the inspector at the hearing. Article continues below The site was later developed, with residents in the area saying it has now been there for around six months, leaving many questioning why it has not yet welcomed any customers through its doors. Residents say the site has been completed for around six months (Image: Lewis Smith ) When asked for an update on when the new restaurant was expected to open as well as what had been holding it up, Burger King declined to comment. ‌ A Bridgend County Borough Council spokesperson however said the delay was down to "minor points" that needed to be resolved for it to be compliant with the consent. They said: "In terms of planning permission, there are a few minor points that need to be resolved in order for the facility to be compliant with its previously granted consent. "A Stopping Up Order is also required as part of the adopted highway is now occupied by the facility. Article continues below "This is a legal process to remove or divert highway rights and is often used for development purposes." Councillor Freya Bletsoe, who is the local ward member for the area said she had also been made aware of the situation and had been "inundated" by residents who wanted to know what was happening. For the latest Bridgend news sign up to our newsletter here.

Wales Online

41 minutes ago

• Wales Online

Former Caernarfon coaching inn could be converted into block of flats

Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info An historic former coaching inn more recently used as council offices in Caernarfon could soon become homes, if planners agree. The striking building which is on High Street and Shirehall Street was once the Hen Gwesty Mona - the Old Mona Hotel. Cyngor Gwynedd has received a change of use application for five residential flats, including an extension at the rear. The plans also include air source heat pumps and a new door to the refuse store. Get all the latest Gwynedd news by signing up to our newsletter - sent every Tuesday The application has been made by Rhys Carden (Cyngor Gwynedd). Plans say the building was originally established as a coaching inn. It served travellers, cashing in on its strategic location near important routes and the once thriving port of Caernarfon. Over the years, the inn has changed hands multiple times but historically offered accommodation, food, and drink. The striking building is a landmark within Caernarfon and "showcases traditional Welsh architectural features, contributing to its charm and historical significance and reflecting the town's cultural heritage," the plans say. (Image: google map) The property lies within the Caernarfon Conservation Area and within the Walled Town which is a World Heritage Site designated by UNESCO. The nearby town walls and Porth yr Aur are ancient monuments and Grade-I listed buildings. The structure physically adjoins the Caernarfon Social Club on Stryd Fawr and No. 3 Stryd y Farchnad, which are both Grade-II listed buildings. The design and access statement says: "From what we can gather the building was converted from the Mona Hotel to council offices for the council's internal audit in 1963. "A rear portion of the building was demolished in the early 1980s to make space for the Council's Dafydd Orwig Chamber which is now linked to the building. (Image: Cyngor Gwynedd planning doc) "The building currently houses the council's trading standards and environmental health teams." The building features a Victorian style, with plain and colourful painted brick work. It also boasts ornate gables, sliding sash windows, towers and turrets. The application states that the council had also identified that the requirement for office space has reduced since the pandemic in 2020, and due to the number of employees working from home having "increased significantly". "As a result a need for housing in the locality has come to light. which secures the longevity of the building," it stated. The plans note the proposed works are to remodel the interior to form accommodation, and to extend the property to the rear to form homes to Welsh Design Quality Requirements. The proposal would see the building reconfigured to form five apartments with a central staircase. The ground floor apartment has been designed to accommodate wheelchair users. They also say providing a change of use for the building "will provide much needed accommodation for the town and ensure an existing building is not left derelict and in disrepair". Join the North Wales Live Whatsapp community now

North Wales Live

an hour ago

• North Wales Live

Former Caernarfon coaching inn could be converted into block of flats

An historic former coaching inn more recently used as council offices in Caernarfon could soon become homes, if planners agree. The striking building which is on High Street and Shirehall Street was once the Hen Gwesty Mona - the Old Mona Hotel. Cyngor Gwynedd has received a change of use application for five residential flats, including an extension at the rear. The plans also include air source heat pumps and a new door to the refuse store. Get all the latest Gwynedd news by signing up to our newsletter - sent every Tuesday The application has been made by Rhys Carden (Cyngor Gwynedd). Plans say the building was originally established as a coaching inn. It served travellers, cashing in on its strategic location near important routes and the once thriving port of Caernarfon. Over the years, the inn has changed hands multiple times but historically offered accommodation, food, and drink. The striking building is a landmark within Caernarfon and "showcases traditional Welsh architectural features, contributing to its charm and historical significance and reflecting the town's cultural heritage," the plans say. The property lies within the Caernarfon Conservation Area and within the Walled Town which is a World Heritage Site designated by UNESCO. The nearby town walls and Porth yr Aur are ancient monuments and Grade-I listed buildings. The structure physically adjoins the Caernarfon Social Club on Stryd Fawr and No. 3 Stryd y Farchnad, which are both Grade-II listed buildings. The design and access statement says: "From what we can gather the building was converted from the Mona Hotel to council offices for the council's internal audit in 1963. "A rear portion of the building was demolished in the early 1980s to make space for the Council's Dafydd Orwig Chamber which is now linked to the building. "The building currently houses the council's trading standards and environmental health teams." The building features a Victorian style, with plain and colourful painted brick work. It also boasts ornate gables, sliding sash windows, towers and turrets. The application states that the council had also identified that the requirement for office space has reduced since the pandemic in 2020, and due to the number of employees working from home having "increased significantly". "As a result a need for housing in the locality has come to light. which secures the longevity of the building," it stated. The plans note the proposed works are to remodel the interior to form accommodation, and to extend the property to the rear to form homes to Welsh Design Quality Requirements. The proposal would see the building reconfigured to form five apartments with a central staircase. The ground floor apartment has been designed to accommodate wheelchair users. They also say providing a change of use for the building "will provide much needed accommodation for the town and ensure an existing building is not left derelict and in disrepair".