Cardiff Blues CEO, Richard Holland, has provided a statement as professional sport in Wales continues to go without any government support, unlike teams in England, Ireland and Scotland.
We today reiterate our calls for the Welsh Government to provide clear guidance and financial support to professional rugby in Wales.
This is now a fight for survival.
Following today’s announcement that the Scottish Government have provided financial aid to sport in Scotland, including £20million to rugby, Wales is now the only part of the United Kingdom not to benefit from similar support.
As it stands, rugby in England will also receive £135million, including £59million to the Premiership clubs, and the Irish Rugby Union have already received £16million.
This equates to £4-5million of Government support to each professional club in Britain and Ireland, with the exception of Wales who have received nothing.
It is absolutely essential that professional rugby receives similar levels of support from our Government.
Without this support the future for our entire national game, which contributes so much to the economy and general society, is bleak.
Richard Holland, Cardiff Blues CEO