Funding split ‘unfair’
THE funding split for the expanded Principality Premiership has been condemned as “unfair” by Merthyr’s multi-millionaire backer Sir Stan Thomas.
Along with the three other clubs promoted from the Championship – Swansea, Bargoed and RGC 1404 – Merthyr are to receive a core grant of £36,000 from the WRU for the coming season.
However, the existing 12 teams will each be handed £71,000 by the governing body.
The four clubs coming up will be eligible for an additional £13,000 if they hit various targets in terms of rugby development, medical standards and commercial and marketing activity.
That takes their total potential funding up to £49,000.
Yet the existing teams can receive a further £30,000 for hitting targets in those areas, meaning their funding can go up to around £100,000.
Essentially, they will get twice what the new boys will and Thomas feels this is wrong.
The funding will even out over the three years of ring fencing, during which there will be no relegation.
But Thomas believes all 16 teams should receive the same level of funding from the outset. “I don’t think it’s fair,” he said. “We should be on the same level as our counterparts because we are in the same division.
“Why should we be treated differently to them?
“We are pleased that the WRU have taken it from 12 to 16 clubs. It will benefit Welsh rugby and encourage more people to go and watch games in the towns of the teams that have gone up.
“But I feel we should be on a level playing field to our counterparts. All the teams should be starting out even.
“Whatever money the WRU have for the Premiership, it should just be split 16 ways.
“It’s disappointing case.”
Merthyr secured promotion by winning the Championship and have undertaken the work required to secure the WRU A licence they need to take up a Premiership spot.
This has involved a £1.13m regeneration project at The Wern Sports Park, with a new stand, changing rooms and 3G artificial pitch already in place, while a new gym should be completed in October. that’s not the