IRFU and provinces give commitment

RUGBY:THE IRFU and the Connacht Branch have agreed a new structure for the professional game in the province that will see the creation of a new independent Professional Game Board (PGB). The new body will be charged with overseeing all aspects of the professional game in the province, including increasing commercial revenues and agreeing a budget with Irish rugby's governing body to implement those structures.

The union has given a commitment to increase financial support and have also facilitated a commitment given by Munster, Leinster and Ulster to allow the movement of selected players from those provinces to Connacht.

The PGB will be chaired by Jimmy Staunton, a founding partner in the Elvery’s Sports Shops chain, and he will be joined on the board by Conor McGuinness (former Ireland and Connacht scrumhalf), Damian Devany (marketing consultant and former marketing director of O2), Steve Cunningham (business consultant and Connacht Branch president), Pat O’Connor (Swinford solicitor and former president of the law society), Liam Rhatigan (managing partner of RBK Accountants) and Simon Heaslip (Galway businessman and entrepreneur).

A review is to be undertaken by the PGB on current management, coaching structures and personnel in Connacht with specific recommendations for any further structure to be discussed with, and agreed by, the IRFU.

Also arising from discussions between delegates of the Connacht branch and the IRFU management committee, it was agreed that an independent assessment should be conducted.

Specialist sports consultancy ASMT were appointed to conduct the evaluation and report jointly to Steve Cunningham, president of the Connacht Branch, and Finbarr Crowley, chairman of the IRFU management committee. The report involved a complete assessment of all areas of professional rugby in Connacht.

IRFU chief executive Philip Brown admitted: “The union and the Connacht Branch is in agreement that the new structure for the professional game will provide stability and a greater impetus for the Connacht team.

“At the same time the new arrangement will provide more value to the national team by providing ‘accelerated development’ opportunities through guaranteed game time for players who currently cannot receive such opportunity in their home province. The commitment received by the other three provinces in the movement of players to Connacht is to be commended.”

Connacht A new structure

The creation in Connacht of a new independent Professional Game Board (PGB) to oversee all aspects of the professional game in the province for the next three years.

Increased support from the IRFU based on PGB recommendations.

PGB will be charged with increasing commercial revenue and preparing a budget to be agreed by the IRFU.

Commitment from Munster, Leinster and Ulster to allow more movement of selected players to Connacht.

Additional support in the coaching and management assets of the Connacht team to increase competitiveness.