The Welsh Rugby Union has announced there are set to be job losses following the launch of the five-year 'One Wales' strategy it says will transform the game.

The WRU hope the restructuring will save £5m per year and ensure its systems and structures support the new 'One Wales' strategy - which was initially promised last year - in a "manner befitting of a £100m-a-year business".

Part of the transformation concerns better business - with the WRU set to discontinue part of the existing 'Hub Officer' programme - while they have also promised changes for the professional and grassroots game.

The current 'hub officer' programme sees individuals who are part-funded by the WRU and educational establishments deliver rugby activities to young people across Wales.

The current programme will be restructured to increase coverage, with current funding discontinued in key areas. It will be up to schools to decide how they reallocate the investment into rugby.

The new Professional Rugby Agreement with the four pro teams has been agreed in principle but is yet to be ratified at board level. WRU chief executive Abi Tierney says she is confident it will be signed off soon despite this week's collapse of Cardiff Rugby that has seen the union step in to take control.

In a statement, the WRU claim that the changes will put the governing body into a sustainable financial position - with £5m in annual savings and efficiencies said to have been identified. However, as part of the discontinuation of the programme, it does mean that a small number of roles, said to be fewer than 20, are at risk of redundancy.

The WRU will enter a period of consultation with staff impacted.

Hub Officers and schools were informed of these changes on Thursday morning, after months of uncertainty. The WRU's Hub Officer current three-year contracts were set to run out this summer and the WRU has confirmed that funding will now be withdrawn in key areas. There are around 90 officers - many of whom will be affected.

It's understood that the hub officers were previously promised clarity on the end of their contracts by February. However, that never came - with many having actively looked for external roles away from the WRU amid the ongoing uncertainty.

The WRU say that the majority of the saving will not come from reducing headcount, but by running the business more effectively and efficiently - "focusing on core activities that will place Welsh rugby on a long-term sustainable footing".

They then plan to invest money into a restructured programme that can cover much more of the country.

The plan is that the existing WRU staff will be reorganised and the number increased, with a much wider remit to ensure there is total coverage of all community clubs and educational establishments across Wales in terms of having named contact and consistent level of support.

"Everything we are doing is to improve rugby in Wales for everyone," said WRU CEO Abi Tierney. "Last summer we confirmed our strategic trajectory, where we intend to be by 2029, and today we are giving further details of how we are going to get there.

"The world game may have turned professional in 1995 but 2025 will be the moment we remember Welsh rugby completed this transformation, into a fully functional, fit-for-purpose, professional organisation.

"Integral to our plans is a need to stop living beyond our means and ensuring we can invest in the key elements that contribute to a thriving rugby nation. This has led to the re-set at the WRU we are announcing today. There will also be investment in key areas, which will enable growth, as we complete our transformation programme. Regrettably there will also be a small number of job losses."We will make sure we look after those people affected by these changes and do everything possible to ensure their well-being and welfare during our consultation process."

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The WRU have also proposed progressive changes to funding the community game, with a new revolutionary model set to be rolled out to better support the amateur game. Because of that, the WRU believe they are in a position to increase funding to community clubs over the next four years.

As a result of the efficiencies identified, the WRU say they will also be in a position to increase funding in community clubs over the next four years.

They have also announced a newly-structured performance department to ensure alignment between Wales' international teams, the professional clubs and the player pathways.

The WRU once again reiterated that assuming control of Cardiff this week, after they were temporarily placed into administration on Wednesday, would not detail their plans to rebuild the professional game in Wales.

As part of the announcement, the WRU said a new framework would "champion Wales' pathways for the Men's and Women's game creating new playing, opportunities, greater retention - through an enhanced offer in education - and talent tracking with a network of support across Wales and beyond".

They have also promised the creation of an employee 'Centre of Excellence', which will be made up of representatives from across the performance department - meaning the four clubs will work together to identify and instil best practise on medical, SandC, nutrition, analysis and coaching matters.

The WRU also outlined their intention to deploy international coaches across the professional game and pathways when not involved with the national team.