IRFU Launch Strategic Plan

On Wednesday the 26th of May the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) unveiled its strategic plan for the development of Irish
rugby over the next four years to 2008. The plan targets the growth of
Irish
rugby across all criteria including player and volunteer numbers as
well as
revenue increases as it seeks to maximise the opportunities presented
by its
growing national profile.

The IRFU is also aiming to secure the long
term
position of Irish rugby at the top of the international rugby
community.

The plan will be pursued in the context of a responsible financial
strategy
encompassing revenue growth, balanced budgets and minimal recourse to
debt
finance.

The IRFU identified three key priorities over the next four years:
1.Becoming a stronger consistent force at the top of
professional rugby.
2.Increasing the player base in vibrant schools, clubs, and
Universities/colleges.
3.Maximising revenue to invest in Irish rugby.

A key feature of the plan is the identification of clear strategies
and
goals for each of the sport’s key strategic areas, namely: the
domestic
game; professional game; facilities; commercial programme; marketing
of
Irish rugby; leadership & management and finance.

Launching the plan, the President of the IRFU, Mr John Quilligan,
said:
This plan only represents the end of the beginning. It now needs all
rugby
followers to decide what part they will play in making it a success.

Chairman of the IRFU’s Management Committee, Mr John Hussey, said:
The
strategic plan represents a new level of planning for Irish rugby and
is the
result of a lengthy period of research, analysis, consultation and
change
within the IRFU. The plan provides the basis for a new model and
strategic
dynamic at all levels of the sport in Ireland.

The 45 page plan will be underpinned by detailed operational
plansthat will
address each strategic heading. The plan will be volunteer led by
the Union’s elected committee’s and professionally implemented by its
professional
staff.

The plan calls for revamping the structures and ties between the
IRFU, four
Provincial Branches, 258 secondary schools and 201 clubs,
universities and
colleges.

Addressing the main changes at Branch level Mr Philip
Browne,
Chief Executive of the IRFU, said: The Union will devolve itself of
certain powers to enable the Branches to assume greater
responsibility for
their own agenda. Both the professional and domestic sides of the
game need
to be focused on and we will be assisting the Branches to create new
structures at provincial level that delineate clearly between
professional
and domestic rugby.”

For full detail of the content click on Strategic Plan, on the Menu, top left hand side of Homepage.