Ulster Rugby Annual Report 2016-17

fast becoming integral parts of the senior side and an improving representation of local players in some of the national underage sides. There is still not an adequate representation in some teams but the Academy staff continue to focus on bringing more young players through the structures. The Branch is very grateful to the IRFU for its ongoing and increasing financial support of the professional and domestic games. The Internal Audit is outsourced to PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC). In carrying out this function PwC look at the Branch’s systems and controls. PwC’s reporting gives their opinion on the individual systems and controls, as well as an overall opinion on the area being assessed and makes recommendations for improvements. This year three areas were assessed with a further advisory piece on best practice for Business Continuity Planning. Substantial assurance ratings were achieved in the reviews of Human Resources function and Payroll and Expenses function. Risk Management achieved limited assurance with recommendations for more formal governance arrangements and standardisation of documentation in each of the functional areas in the Branch. These results show the considerable efforts being made by staff throughout the Branch to improve systems and controls on an ongoing basis. 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 both PwC and Deloitte for their guidance and assistance over the year. The Audit Committee made up of David Workman (Chairman), Paul Hart 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, Joanne Hunter, 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. John McKibbin, our outgoing President, has tirelessly represented the Branch throughout the year. He has undertaken all his duties with good humour and diligence supported by his wife Moira. John will be an extremely hard act to follow and I wish him well as he continues to represent Ulster Branch on the IRFU Union

associated committees. This work, over a number of months, has resulted in a budget for 2017/18 of a deficit of £250k. However, the focus on sources of income and efficiencies will continue with the aim of approaching break-even for the year. Whilst this is certainly not ideal, i am confident that the Branch will return to an operating surplus in 2018/19, if not in the forthcoming year. The budget for 2017/18 was reviewed and proposed by Management Committee before being considered and approved by the Branch in May 2017. 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 will then be shared with the other clubs. It would appear that 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. 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 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 live. 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 2017/18 at around £600k. The Branch will continue to explore additional funding opportunities particularly from government sources. However, this continues to be challenging with the 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 Pro 12, 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 world class players to supplement and develop local talent. It was a particular source of disappointment and frustration that Ulster was unable to re-sign Ruan Pienaar for a further couple of years to finish his playing career in Belfast. Ulster Rugby continues to see the benefits of investment in its Academy structure with many young players

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