WRU bosses slammed for switching youth cup finals away from Principality

WELSH rugby bosses have been accused of dashing the once-in-alifetime dreams of youngsters following an 11th-hour decision to take three Welsh Youth Cup finals away from the Principality Stadium.

A top official at one of the clubs involved, Cardiff-based Rumney RFC, claimed the explanation for the decision is because football’s Uefa Champions League final will be staged at the home of Welsh rugby in June.

Concerned officials and parents of some of the six teams affected have been contacting WalesOnline to express their dissatisfaction at the situation. They have condemned the Welsh Rugby Union and disputed the reason allegedly given.

The three finals, which take place back-to-back on April 8, have been moved next door to the smaller Cardiff Arms Park.

In a statement, the WRU confirmed the three finals were moving “to protect the Principality Stadium playing surface”. They made no mention of the Champions League game, European football’s biggest club match, which comes to Cardiff on June 3.

Bringing that showpiece match to Wales is a massive coup for the WRU and the Football Association of Wales.

The WRU say the competing clubs were informed of their intentions the day before the Youth Cup semi-finals took place.

One of the six clubs, Treorchy Youth, have gone as far as to launch a petition in an attempt to persuade the WRU to let them play at the Principality Stadium venue.

The three age-grade finals are between Bridgend Athletic and Treorchy in the Bowl, Burry Port versus Penarth in the Plate and Rumney against Pontarddulais in the Cup.

These final fixtures have historically been held at the old Millennium Stadium, a real incentive for the competing clubs.

The WRU hierarchy met the clubs on Wednesday night to discuss the controversial issue.

Cyril Locke, fixture secretary of Rumney Youth, claimed the WRU had told the clubs that officials wanted the pitch to be in pristine condition for the Champions League final.

But, he pointed out, seven rugby matches are being held at the Principality Stadium next month .... well before football’s European glamour game.

Ospreys face Stade Francais in the European Challenge Cup quarter-finals on Sunday.

That is followed by the Welsh Varsity match between Cardiff University and Swansea University next Wednesday. There is then Judgement Day involving Cardiff Blues, Ospreys, Newport Gwent Dragons and the Scarlets on April 15.

The WRU’s Clubs’ Finals Day is then staged 24 hours later when Shane Williams’ Amman United front-up to Caerphilly in the Bowl, Penallta go head-to-head with Ystalyfera in the Plate and Pontypridd face north Wales region RGC 1404 in the Cup.

Locke said: “We can’t understand why these other games are being held at the Principality Stadium. Is it because they will generate more revenue in ticket, alcohol and food sales?

“The excuse we have been given by the WRU doesn’t wash with us and it is out of step with what the then WRU head of rugby development Josh Lewsey said in April 2015.”

World Cup winner Lewsey had stated: “We strongly believe that our schools, clubs and colleges are the lifeblood of the game in Wales.

“By hosting these finals at the Millennium (now Principality) Stadium, we hope to recognise the efforts of all players, coaches and volunteers who do so much to help grow and sustain the game in Wales.

“We hope everyone involved will be inspired by the experience and I’m sure the teams will themselves inspire all those looking on from the sidelines.”

Locke went on: “It doesn’t seem what Mr Lewsey said remains the stance of the WRU and to have these finals moved at the last minute by our governing body stinks.

“All the lads involved in the Youth Cup finals have earned the right to play at the Principality Stadium and to have the dream opportunity of a lifetime taken away from them now is terribly wrong.

“Officials from the six clubs involved met with two officials of the WRU on Wednesday night, but it appeared their hands were tied from above and they were unable to come up with a valid reason for the move.

“They did offer for us to play the matches in September, but that’s ridiculous because it’s an agegrade tournament, all momentum will be lost and some boys will be too old and ineligible to play youth rugby next season.

“Many of the lads involved will never again get the chance of playing at the Principality Stadium and, to have it ripped away from their grasp at this stage, is utterly wrong.

“Yes, we understand the significance and prestige of the Champions League final being held in Wales and Cardiff, but it’s more than eight weeks after the youth finals and a number of other rugby matches, involving bigger and heavier men than youth players, are going to be staged on the pitch in the meantime.”

David Thomas, whose son plays for Pontarddulais, said: “We didn’t know until last week the venue had been switched.

“These six teams have played all season under the impression the finals were being held at the Principality Stadium and, all of a sudden, that dream has gone. It’s shameful of the WRU.”

Bridgend Athletic Youth coach Lee Grabham said: “Our boys are very disappointed because, over the years, the finals have always taken place at the Principality Stadium.

“It’s the dream of every child to play there and, when they have worked so hard to get there, to have it taken away from them is a real kick in the teeth.”

In their Facebook petition, Treorchy Youth said: “To get to the final is a great achievement for any team and the boys have now been denied the opportunity to play at the stadium by the governing body, who is supposedly promoting grass roots rugby in Wales. The teams are devastated by the decision.

“Please sign this petition to overrule the decision of the WRU and help get the boys to the stadium. Help support grass roots rugby in Wales because this is what the WRU should be doing.”

The WRU statement in full read: “We can confirm that the annual WRU Youth Finals will be moving to be played at the BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park this year, in order to protect the Principality Stadium playing surface.

“This was not a decision taken lightly and every effort is made to play as many community fixtures at Principality Stadium as possible, with the finals scheduled to return to the venue next year.

“We presented an option to the clubs which involved playing the WRU Youth Finals as a season opener for the 2017-18 season at the Principality Stadium.

“However, the feedback we received from the clubs expressed a preference for the momentum of the current season to be continued, and so it was agreed that the games would be played on 8th April at the BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park.

“Clubs were informed of the proposed location of the WRU Youth Finals the day before the semi-final round. This was the earliest point at which it became clear there was no alternative but to move the fixtures.

“We understand the strength of feeling about this decision and we will work with the clubs to ensure the finals day remains a fitting reflection of their efforts this season.”