A new major partnership between the University and Cardiff Rugby has been revealed and aims to create a sustainable pathway for young and late-developing talent within the city. Both organisations signed a memorandum of understanding at the home of Cardiff Rugby: Cardiff Arms Park on Thursday 17 September (just 20 days before Cardiff University’s historic victories against Cardiff Metropolitan).
Announcing the partnership, Cardiff University described it as combining “elite sporting development with higher education study in the heart of the Welsh capital”. Both sides have agreed to improve recruitment processes through connections with schools, colleges, and rugby networks. Cardiff Rugby interim Rugby General Manager, Darren Allinson said:
“We want to support the recruitment and retention of young Welsh players, particularly those who have come through the pathway, by giving them the chance to combine high-performance rugby with a strong education and genuine dual-career options.”
This partnership seeks to improve participation in the fast-growing women’s game, aiming to open up the programme to improve the development that female players receive in their rugby pathway going forward. This comes following the Welsh Rugby Union’s proposal of having two professional sides, which Cardiff Rugby claim to be following closely. With Cardiff Rugby Managing Director, Jamie Muir portraying his excitement for an improvement on the women’s game:
“Women’s rugby is an important and exciting part of that shared vision. We want to build on our relationship with Cardiff University as we pursue our ambition to establish a Cardiff Rugby Women’s team and create stronger pathways and opportunities for female players.”
Both organisations aim to explore potential commercial opportunities, community engagement and potential events following the announcement. A commitment included in this partnership is to promote and support certain BUCS Super Rugby matches, such as the recent Cardiff Clash, in an attempt to increase the sport’s exposure across the capital and further.
On the academic side, this will help to support students and players with the transition into sport, employment, and postgraduate study whilst balancing rugby. Protocols have been put into place to support student athletes throughout their journey with comprehensive support. With the University’s announcement declaring that student-athlete wellbeing and academic success should be “central” in the collaboration.
The University’s Pro Vice-Chancellor, Professor Wendy Larner has referred to the success of Cardiff Rugby Alumni: such as former Welsh internationals Jamie Roberts, Hallan Amos, and Ellis Jenkins, for encouraging student athletes to look to life beyond professional sport. The statement closes with the desire to safeguard the sport, especially at a time when the Welsh Rugby Union remains under scrutiny and uncertainty.
“Rugby is part of the fabric of Welsh life and so it follows that two organisations here in the nation’s capital should seek out every opportunity to safeguard this amazing sport for future generations.”