WRU secures £100,000 grant to strengthen grassroots volunteering across Wales
WRU secures £100,000 grant to strengthen grassroots volunteering across Wales
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The Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) has received a £100,000 strategic volunteering grant from the Wales Council for Voluntary Action (WCVA) to support a nationwide programme aimed at strengthening and celebrating community volunteers across Welsh rugby.
The funding marks a major milestone in the WRU’s long-term commitment to grassroots development and will be used to launch a Strategic Volunteering Project, designed to empower community clubs, deepen engagement within local areas, and create a sustainable plan for volunteer growth and impact.
WRU Community Director Geraint John said the grant represents a vital investment in the people who form the foundation of the sport.
He said: “We are absolutely thrilled to be in receipt of this grant from WCVA.
“Volunteers are the bedrock of Welsh rugby. This grant from WCVA is a vital investment in our grassroots community, and we are committed to creating a volunteering culture that is inclusive, strategic, and sustainable.
“The impact volunteers have on Welsh rugby will never be underestimated, and this project will ensure they are supported and celebrated, as they so well deserve.
“By focusing on leadership, clear strategy, infrastructure, targeted action, volunteer value, and cultural alignment, we are aiming to set a new standard for community volunteering excellence within the community game here in Wales.”
The funding will be used to develop a comprehensive WRU Volunteering Strategy, created in collaboration with clubs, community organisations, and key partners. It will also support leadership training, new recruitment and retention initiatives, and enhanced recognition programmes for volunteers.
One key aspect of the initiative will be expanding Dysgu WRU, the union’s free volunteer training system, with new e-learning modules and recognition toolkits that will help clubs manage and sustain engagement independently.
Maggie Smith, Volunteering Communications & Engagement Officer at WCVA, said the project demonstrates the role of volunteering in uniting and strengthening communities.
She said: “WCVA is pleased to support the Welsh Rugby Union’s commitment to strengthening and diversifying volunteering across Wales.
“By embedding inclusive practices and building sustainable infrastructure, this project reflects the power of volunteering to connect communities, build inclusive environments, and create lasting impact across Wales.”
To help deliver the programme, the WRU has appointed Ioan Evans as its new National Volunteer Coordinator, who will lead the implementation of the union’s national volunteering strategy.
Born and raised in Upper Cwmtwrch, Evans has been involved in rugby throughout his life as a player, referee, and volunteer. Before joining the WRU, he spent nearly a decade working in higher education in Wales, and for the past seven years has contributed to rugby development, performance, and community engagement within the union.
In his new role, Evans will provide direct support to clubs and work alongside the WRU’s Club Development Officers to enhance volunteer recruitment, training, and engagement.
He said: “Rugby in Wales relies on incredible people who give up their time because they care about their clubs and their communities,” said Evans.
“This funding gives us a real opportunity to make volunteering more rewarding, sustainable, and accessible for everyone.”
The WRU said the initiative is designed to ensure that volunteers, described as the “lifeblood” of Welsh rugby, continue to receive the recognition, support, and structure needed to help the sport thrive at every level.
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