Irish Rugby TV: Philip Browne On The Strategic Plan 2018-2023

Irish Rugby TV interviewed IRFU Chief Executive Philip Browne following the launch of the Union’s new Strategic Plan and Women In Rugby Action Plan. A road map for the future of Irish Rugby at every level of the game.

Commenting on the launch of the new plans at the Aviva Stadium, IRFU Chief Executive Philip Browne said: “The increased profile of rugby driven by on-field success has resulted in an increase in participation, especially through age-grade and the use of modified formats.

“But, of course, we recognise the many challenges the game faces and we have sought to address these in this Strategic Plan as part of our effort to ensure the game, over the next four years and beyond, will be put on an even stronger footing for the generations to come.

“The game continues to expand at every level and central to this expansion is funding. Currently, our professional teams, at national and provincial level, account for 93% of the game’s revenues, of this some 80% is generated by the men’s international team.
 
“This stark statistic is reassuring and concerning in equal measure, the former as it recognises the phenomenal attraction of our senior international team to television rights holders, sponsors and supporters alike, while the latter highlights the extremely narrow base from which every other strand of the game must be funded.”