Wales RL turnover down 10% despite World Cup year
Wales Rugby League’s turnover dropped 10% in 2017/18 as they made a loss on their participation at the 2017 World Cup.
In their annual report up to the end of March 2018, released this week, a turnover of £309,763 (down from £344,723 in 2016/17) was revealed, generating a loss of £11,189 – though these figures don’t include a bad sponsorship deal of £38,000 “whose record of making payments does not provide confidence it will happen”.
Their participation at the World Cup brought with it income of £113,448, but extra costs of £133,101.
However, the report also points towards an increase of registered players – 1,585, the highest in four years, and a biggest ever grant award from Sport Wales.
Wales Rugby League CEO and Director Chris Thair said “The report shows that there is a great deal of good work happening domestically and it has been another year in which the sport has moved forward; however rugby league in Wales remains a long way from where we wish to take it.
“The last 12 months have been our busiest on record. To achieve the output we do with one full-time member of staff is quite remarkable and a credit to everyone involved. We have the support of some wonderful partners and at the heart of all the activity are the volunteers and players. Thank you to everyone involved.”
A record 24 Welsh players aged 14 to 16 signed with Super League clubs and winger Regan Grace made his debut for St Helens.
You can download the WRL 2017/18 annual report here.
