With just over four months before Wales Rugby League kick off their Four Nations campaign against England away at the Leigh Sporting Village on the 29th October, business confidence in the Wales Rugby League brand has grown significantly. Mark Rowley, Chairman of Wales Rugby League said: “The Four Nations is arguably the most important occasion in the history of the sport in Wales and taking part in this prestigious tournament is further evidence how far we have come. It also gives us a significant platform from which we can promote our partners, stakeholders and business sponsors.”
Wales Rugby League has managed to secure a number of lucrative long term sponsorships over the next three years which has substantially increased the amount of revenue coming into the governing body. These sponsors will be announced over the coming months in the run up to the Four Nations.
“We have worked hard with businesses and stakeholders to outline the benefits of partnering with us and their support will allow us to deliver on our longer term objectives and build a sustainable future for the sport in Wales.” Mark Rowley added. Rugby League in Wales has seen the fastest growth rate of any sport in the country with around a 300% increase in participation numbers at grassroots and the community game in the last year alone.
Success on the field as well, under the shrewd guidance of dual code International Iestyn Harris has seen Wales gain back to back European Championships in 2009 and 2010, the latter gaining Wales qualification for the forthcoming Four Nations Tournament for the first time in its history.
Mark Rowley went on to say. “Wales Rugby League is built on solid foundations and the year on year growth and success of the sport we have seen at all levels has been due to the hard work that everyone has put in from schools, clubs and the many volunteers that dedicate their time. I think that our partners and stakeholders recognize this effort and are buying into the concept and vision we have for the future.”
In 2013 Wales will co-host the Rugby World Cup with England, a competition broadcast to 120 plus countries with an estimated world wide audience expected in excess of 20 million viewers, 8 million of those from the UK. Mark Rowley said: “I would expect Wales to do very well in this competition and the fruits of our work should be evident with a number of our home grown former academy players appearing in the Welsh shirt.”