Welsh Rugby Reveals Record Turnover
The Welsh Rugby Union recorded its highest ever turnover last year, after the governing body released its annual report on Monday, confirming income of £63m in the Grand Slam year.
The figures for the year ending June 2012 showed a pre-tax profit of £2.4m and the WRU said it was on target to be debt-free by 2021.
The WRU added that the results showed it had the highest year-on-year growth rate of any of the major rugby unions between 2007 and 2011.
The debt around the Millennium Stadium, approximately £75m when the ground was built in 1999, now stands at £19m, according to the report.
The report showed a £4.1m rise in player costs, which included the extra matches played in the Rugby World Cup, as well as Grand Slam bonuses.
The WRU’s report said it allocated £20.1m to the regions, semi-professional clubs and community rugby, a rise of 4% on the year and 35% over the past five years.
Within that £20.1m, Wales’ four regions received £6.2m to pay for the release of their international players.
In total, there was a 1% rise in money that went to the regions from the WRU compared with the previous year, but the report also issued warnings that more should be done to reduce regional sides’ debt have been raised.
