UPDATE REGARDING OUR NEW EXECUTIVE BOARD
17 – 05 – 2019 – Ponty RFC Going Forward
Update Regarding Our New Executive Board
Dear Shareholders, Sponsors, Supporters and Friends of Pontypridd RFC, following on from the EGM that took place on Monday 18-03-2019, we the Board of Directors, promised to keep you all updated with the events as they unfold in our fight to create a sustainable future for the Club.
We are pleased to announce the formation of an Executive Board. The purpose of the Executive Board is to formulate and implement the longer term financial and commercial strategy the Club required to ensure a prosperous and sustainable future both on and off the field. In addition, the Executive Board will free up the Board of Directors to focus more closely on the day to day running of Pontypridd RFC. The new directors are: Mark Rhydderch Roberts, David Gooch, and Graeson Clarke, additional appointments to the Executive Board will be made in the near future. We are confident that the new Directors have the right blend and breadth of business experience that Pontypridd RFC requires.
Together we intend taking Pontypridd RFC forward with confidence and a renewed determination to forge our own successful future as the leading Premiership Club in Wales. It is the intention of Pontypridd RFC to continue to adhere to the highest standards of corporate governance in all aspects of running the Club and its relationships with stakeholders. This process will obviously take some time before the benefits of this new approach will filter through but we are confident that over the next three years or so we can achieve our objectives. It will involve, inter alia, a thorough and comprehensive review of our present and future funding options; a wholesale review of the existing catering and hospitality function; Commercial activities and stadium improvements; and a constructive reappraisal of our relationships with the WRU, the Blues Region, Youth, Mini & Junior sections along with the Mid-district Committee and it’s member clubs. Throughout this process we will continue to put the interests of our team, sponsors, stakeholders and loyal supporters at the heart of our decision making.
In the meantime, the short-term objective is to finish the season in a stable financial state in order to start the 2019/20 campaign with a clean sheet. Each Board Member knows exactly what is required to ensure the long-term survival of the club, are well equipped in the world of commerce to enhance our standing in the rugby world and will immediately commence their tasks of forward planning ensuring that viable funding with realistic budgets are put in place.
At this point I would like to take this opportunity to thank each and every one of you who have given your hard-earned cash to our cause. I genuinely believe that no other Club in the Premiership, perhaps in Wales, has this level of support and commitment from its supporters. It is truly humbling, and we will make every endeavour not to let you down. Althoughwe have not arrived at the full figure of £100,000 or £33,333 per month to the season’s end, you have raised the fantastic sum of just over £51,000 which is half way there and enabled us to get this far and for that, we as your Board of Directors thank you most sincerely for your tremendous efforts.
At the time of writing we are lying third in the Premiership. We owe that to the skills and commitment of our playing squad and the strong leadership of our Head Coach Justin Burnell along with his management team and backroom staff. In order to improve our ability to complete well next season Justin has agreed to undertake the role of Director of Rugby and as a Board we very much welcome this appointment. The formalisation of this role will lay the foundations for long term stability. Justin will be responsible in the future for all decisions relating to the playing side of the Club and will report directly to the Board. Justin has already laid the foundations for long- term playing success and this has been clearly apparent in his development of young players who will form the bedrock of a long and successful future.
We share your frustrations regarding the stadium and our facilities. However, throughout the summer period you will see some significant improvements which are well overdue. If there are any tradesmen, labourers or anyone who can give a little of their time each week to help us achieve these goals we would love to see you come along and join our small team of stadium volunteers. This would represent significant savings for the Club. We also wish to advise you that we will be holding our Annual General Meetingon Wednesday 26thJune 2019, letters should be going out shortly which will include the 2019/20 entrance prices. We look forward to as many of you as possible purchasing your season tickets at that AGM
In summary, Pontypridd RFC, the Premiership and indeed the whole community game in Wales, is facing major structural and financial challenges. These have been exacerbated by the WRU’s decision to reduce Premiership payments and blur the professional player pathway. However, the Board believes that the necessary measures are being implemented that will enable Pontypridd RFC not only to meet those challenges head on, but to emerge from what has been an extremely difficult period in a far stronger position. We also very much realise how important the ongoing support of Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council plays in our continued efforts for the future of our Club.
Come on the Pont, OLE OLE OLE.
Best regards and Many thanks once again one and all.
Roger E. Davies
Board Chairman
