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This latest investment represents a 20% increase in funding on the previous 2006-2008 cycle and the IRB is confident this will further develop the growth of the game worldwide and increase the competitiveness of Rugby World Cup.
“In August 2005 the IRB entered into a new phase in its evolution through the delivery of an unprecedented 3-year, $59 million Strategic Investment program,” said IRB Chairman Bernard Lapasset.
“The program was the manifestation of a revised IRB Strategic Plan for the game and was focused on high performance investment in around 20 targeted Unions. I am pleased to say the continued success of Rugby World Cup now means we can invest a further $94 million in the game’s continued development.
“This funding of $94 million is over and above the annual IRB expenditure in the form of annual Union grants, tournament funding and education and training program expenditure. In total $299.5 million will be invested in the game during the 2009-2012 period.
“It will be primarily financed from the $235 million surplus from Rugby World Cup but will require the IRB to draw over $59 million out of its reserves which highlights the IRB’s commitment to further developing the game.”
New funding initiatives include $2.7 million over the four years to aid the development of a Tier 2 and Tier 3 Union Test match program that would sit underneath the Tier 1 international matches and tours schedule.
Financial highlights
Annual expenditure is increased from $19.5 million to $23.5 million
Tier 1 Union investment is $27 million
Tier 2 and 3 Union investment is $36.6 million.
The Tier 2 and 3 tournaments investment is maintained at previous levels and is $25.3 million.
A Major Markets Fund of $2.3 million has been created ($587,000 per year)
Operational funding including High Performance consultancy, Union reviews and audit work is $2.4 million over the period (2.5% of overall expenditure).
Tier 2 and Tier 3 Investments
When the high performance expenditure of $36.6 million is added to the tournament expenditure for these Unions of $25.3 million the combined expenditure of $61.9 million represents 66% of the overall expenditure.
Funding for USA, Canada and Romania is increased. USA and Canada will receive $4.9 million over the four years. Romania will receive $4.1 million.
