IRFU Annual Report 08-09 - A Connacht View...

The IRFU recently released their annual report via the IrishRugby.ie site, so to save you all the time and effort of downloading and digesting it I've done it for you and siphoned out the few bits that directly relate to Connacht.....

If you find this hard to read, click HERE to view in a printable format

The full IRFU Annual Report is located here: http://www.irishrugby.ie/301_293.php

Rugby Structures:

The challenges in the professional game are no different to previous years and involve in the main, governance, finance and playing resources. In terms of governance, considerable amount of time has been spent at Union and Branch level in addressing the management and reporting structures for professional rugby. Following a consultation process, there is agreement that all 4 provinces will set up Professional Game Boards which will manage all aspects of the professional game both on and off the pitch. As outlined earlier in the report, membership of these Boards will not be confined to representatives of the Branch or the IRFU but will provide for persons who can bring commercial/business expertise to the Board.

These Professional Game Boards will have a reporting relationship to the respective Branches and through their Branches to the IRFU by way of regular meetings with the IRFU Management Committee. These regular meetings will ensure that there is a greater two way flow of information between the IRFU and the Branches and that there is a clear line of reporting and accountability to the IRFU for the activities in the Branches and in particular, in relation to the professional game.

In terms of finance the ability of the Union and the Branches to finance the professional game continues to be a challenge. Whilst the success of our professional teams and the National Team may help the situation; there is no doubt that the current economic environment will have a negative impact. The continued determination in France and to a lesser extent in England to buy players from other countries has had a dual impact, firstly, inflating the player market and secondly, raising the competitive standards which requires the Irish provinces to bolster their teams with a limited number of high quality overseas players.

This obviously comes at a significant cost. Whilst the Union continues to carry most of the cost of the professional players, there is a growing contribution from the Branches. This has brought into focus the revenue generating abilities of the 4 provinces and the need for stadia with the capacity and facilities capable of sustaining this business model. Munster and Leinster are well served with large revenue generating facilities.

Growth of Game:

SP: What the IRFU players stats show is that while Connacht has a much smaler player base. it is generating a higher % of players per head of population (3.59%) than any of the other three provinces.

Again looking at Adult Male players alone our figures stack up fairly well against the bigger provinces, with Ulster rather surpisingly having only 0.33% of the whole province (nine couinties), our figures are probably diluted by a higher level of player  movement outside the province than other provinces.

Connacht equally had a mixed season, reaching the knockout stages of the European Challenge Cup before being put out of that competition in the Quarter Final by Northampton Saints. Their ability to compete consistently with the English and French clubs in the European Challenge Cup is still problematic and is proving difficult to resolve.

Development:

Similarly the Connacht Branch has been embarking on a programme of developing rugby within the Gaeltacht region of Connemara. Connacht Rugby have appointed three Irish speaking Development Officers working in this region as well as schools around Barna. In addition, Carraroe RFC have hosted summer camps, delivered in Irish, for the past 4 years and they have been able to avail of an Uduras grant to subsidize costs.

Grounds:

This has brought into focus the revenue generating abilities of the 4 provinces and the need for stadia with the capacity and facilities capable of sustaining this business model. Munster and Leinster are well served with large revenue generating facilities. Ulster is hampered by the limitations at Ravenhill and Connacht attendances mean their facilities are probably of an adequate size at present.

New floodlighting became operational in the Galway Sportsground this season giving Connacht additional flexibility and options in terms of kick-off times. There are plans for further development of spectators’ facilities opposite the Bord na gCon stand but at this point in time they have not progressed beyond concept design