Ulster Rugby - Annual Report 2017-18

OUTLOOK The Professional Game continues to make up over 85% of the Branch’s income. Despite a mixed season on the pitch, season tickets for 2018/19 appear to be improving at this early stage after a slow start. Season ticket sales will undoubtedly be helped by qualification for Champions Cup rugby next season. Terrace tickets traditionally sell later in the cycle towards the end of the summer so I’m hopeful of a late pickup. During the year considerable time was devoted to identifying additional sources of income and cost efficiencies by the senior management team and their associated committees. This work, over a number of months, has resulted in a budget for 2018/19 at break-even despite lower season ticket sales forecast which has meant reductions in player budgets at a time when our central Irish contracts have reduced to two. However, good recruitment and continued development of young local talent make for a more positive outlook for the professional team than might have otherwise been expected. The budget for 2018/19 was reviewed and proposed by Management Committee in May 2018 and will be brought to the Branch Committee in June. THANKS The Domestic Game throughout Ireland continues to have mixed fortunes due, to a large extent, to societal and demographic changes. Numbers of under 18’s, both boys and girls, playing rugby continues to rise and flourish, while fewer numbers over 18 are playing the game. A pilot programme has been led by the Branch to help clubs help themselves by learning through cooperation and collaboration with each other of what works well at some clubs and what doesn’t. These learnings are being shared with the other clubs. Fewer people of rugby playing age want to commit to playing every Saturday afternoon from September to May. Work is ongoing by the Rugby Committee and the Domestic Rugby staff to come up with innovative solutions that may prove more popular with players at all levels including tag rugby and cross field blitzes to name but two. I would like to thank all the staff within the Branch for their continued excellent work in the domestic game under the guidance and leadership of Chris Webster and Barry Willis, and also the volunteers who work within the Branch and club structure in Ulster for giving of their time and expertise to administer the great game that we all love. The outlook for the Domestic Game in terms of finance, not only for the Branch but also for clubs and schools remains challenging. The IRFU has agreed to maintain its support of the domestic game for 2018/19 at similar levels to the last couple of years, around £600k. The Branch will continue to explore additional funding opportunities particularly from government sources. However, this continues to be challenging with the ongoing impasse at Stormont. We hope the NI Executive can be restored as soon as possible so that departmental funding decisions can be made.

The Professional Game depends upon the continued goodwill of the wider rugby followers, sponsors and partners who support the team throughout the year and i would like to thank all these groups for their continuing interest and support of Ulster Rugby. The IRFU continues to provide significant assistance and financial support to the Professional Game in Ulster and across Ireland. The IRFU and Ulster recognise that due to the lower television and commercial deals in the PRO14, when compared to the Aviva Premiership and the Top 14, that it is imperative that the Provinces continue to develop local talent through their Academies. However, this must be in balance with the recruitment of non-Irish qualified players to supplement and develop local talent and provide leadership when our best players are on Ireland duty. Ulster Rugby continues to see the benefits of investment in its Academy structure with many young players fast becoming integral parts of the senior side and an improving representation of local players in some of the national underage sides. The Branch is very grateful to the IRFU for its ongoing and increasing financial support of the professional and domestic games. The Branch put its internal audit provision out to tender during 2017/18. The successful firm was Grant Thornton and I look forward to developing this partnership in the years to come. The annual audit of the Branch’s accounts is once again being performed by Deloitte who continue to carry out this work to a very tight timescale in an efficient and professional manner. I would like to express my thanks on behalf of the Branch to Deloitte for their guidance and assistance over the year. The Audit Committee made up of David Workman (Chairman), Paul Harte and Hugh Johnston meets a couple of times during the year and I am grateful for their oversight and support in this very important area. The Finance Committee has continued its work of overseeing and scrutinising the management of the Branch’s financial affairs. I am very grateful to this committee for making my role as Honorary Treasurer a little easier. The committee members included John McKibbin (IRFU Rep), David Millar (Chairman of the Professional Game Board), Denis Gardner (Honorary Secretary) and Stephen Black (Chairman of the Domestic Game Committee). Shane Logan (Chief Executive) and Audrey Robinson (Financial Controller) also attend meetings of the Finance Committee and their detailed knowledge and understanding of the Branch’s day to day operations is very much appreciated. My thanks also go to Audrey and her finance team, Claire Mitchell, Liz Lowry, and Janice Gilpin for all their hard work and support throughout the year which has been invaluable. Audrey continues to provide timely and accurate responses to my numerous questions and queries throughout the year.

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