Ospreys chief Garcia calls for plan of action
OSPREYS chief executive Nick Garcia says Welsh rugby needs a long-term plan to be implemented this summer.
Wales won only one game in the Six Nations while the four regions failed to win in European competition and are currently in the bottom half of the United Rugby Championship.
“I am keen to get a plan nailed this summer so next season we can go in with a clear direction going forward,” said Garcia, who sits on the Professional Rugby Board (PRB) along with representatives from the other three regions and the WRU.
The PRB runs the professional game in Wales and Garcia – formerly an executive at Manchester City – knows a long-term plan needs to be established.
“That’s almost the most important thing on our to do list right now,” Garcia said. “There are some smart people in the room to figure it out and working with Simon Muderack, David Buttress, Alun Jones and Steve Phillips and all those guys, we need to focus on getting that plan out.
“I have only been in here five minutes but it’s worth taking the time to do it properly because the legacy will run for generations if we get it right.
“If we don’t get it right, we will be back here with the same problems in two years’ time. There is no secret the governance of the game at all levels is a challenge right now and we can resolve that.
“We are working hard with chairs of the other regions and WRU, spending a lot of time, and we are making progress.
“There is no scenario where you are going to drop in some other country’s model into Welsh rugby because it has its own ecosystem and structure. You have to get the right model for Welsh rugby and that’s why it takes a bit of time.”
Meanwhile, Ospreys’ owners Y11 Sport & Media this week announced the acquisition of a 25 per cent stake investment in New Zealand provincial side Hurricanes.