A new executive board with considerable business experience has been formed by Pontypridd RFC to implement a long-term financial and commercial strategy aimed at creating a sustainable future both on and off the field.
The executive board currently consists of Graeson Clarke, David Gooch and Mark Rhydderch-Roberts. Further appointments are expected in due course, as the club moves forward from its recent financial difficulties.
Mr Clarke, who is originally from Pontypridd, is a lifelong supporter of the club. A chartered accountant he currently operates a number of automotive businesses, including City West Commercials, the first dedicated Mercedes truck dealership in the south west of England.
David Gooch, another lifelong supporter, who is based in the north west of England, brings considerable expertise in facilities management, catering and leisure operations.
Crickhowell-born Mark Rhydderch-Roberts is a former Pontypridd player and investment banker. He is the treasurer and a non executive director of Glamorgan Cricket Club, as well as being a non executive director of the International Conference Centre Wales, which opens later this year in Newport.
Mr Rhydderch-Roberts said: "We believe that the Premiership clubs have significant value despite the constant tinkering with the league format, fixture timings and the reduction in WRU financial support over the last several years.
“This is particularly true of the ‘heritage club brands’ including Pontypridd, Llanelli, Swansea, Cardiff, Bridgend , Ebbw Vale, Aberavon and also of some of the younger clubs, including Merthyr.
"These are still hugely recognised brands in the rugby world, and have deep resonance not just in Wales but across the 海角视频 and beyond. This is backed up by 150 years of authentic tribal passion, something that the regional game in Wales has arguably failed to replicate.
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"It is fashionable to say that the Premiership/community game has a diminishing fan base, but last season our home match against Merthyr attracted a crowd of around 3,500 and was a hugely positive advert for Premiership rugby in Wales.”
Mr Rhydderch-Roberts said he was “heartened” by the success of the new BBC/S4C television coverage of the Premiership which he said had captured the imagination of fans.
He added: “We need to capitalise on all this and work together more closely as Premiership clubs; collectively we are stronger than we currently think. "
He said that Pontypridd would be keen to see the re-establishment of meaningful cross border competitions.
He added: "With CVC Private Equity close to concluding a deal to take an equity stake in the Guinness Pro 14, having already struck a £200m deal with the English Premiership, the direction of travel seems to be gradually moving towards a British professional league at some point in the future.
"If that happens, it would make sense to explore bringing the Welsh Premiership together with its equivalent semi pro leagues in England, Ireland and Scotland sooner rather than later.”
Mr Rhydderch-Roberts, who played hooker for the club, confirmed that Pontypridd is also exploring the possibility of arranging cross border fixtures during the fixture “dead zone” of the Six Nations tournament.
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He added: “We would love to see Pontypridd playing say an English club on the Friday night before a Wales v England rugby international, as well as club sides from the other countries as appropriate before those internationals at the Principality Stadium.
“These games would not only be attractive to Ponty fans, but visiting fans from the other countries. This would go some way in offsetting the decline in gate receipts as a result of the reduction in home games next season with the Premiership reduced to 12 teams."
On the redevelopment of Sardis Road, also known as the ‘House of Pain’ in recognition of the tough challenge it presents to visiting teams, he said: “We have a good working relationship with Rhondda Cynon Taff Council who continue to be very supportive. We have also had preliminary discussions to explore the possibility of Sardis Road becoming the home of Welsh women’s rugby.
“The women’s game is growing exponentially from both a spectator and player participation perceptive, and establishing a formal hub at Sardis Road would be very beneficial for all parties.
“The first phase of the stadium refurbishment programme is already under way at the ground with cosmetic work on the main stand, together with an upgrade of its main clubhouse, catering facilities and development of an analytical suite.
“The second phase will see upgraded changing facilities and further hospitality facilities and in the third phase a new clubhouse in envisaged.”
With many of the current and past playing squad of professional rugby region the Blues drawn from the Pontypridd area, what are the prospects of the Cardiff Arms Park outfit playing some of its games literally up the road at Sardis Road?
Mr Rhydderch-Roberts: “We have already had very productive discussions with the Blues executive team.
"And we are fortunate that they recognise the huge contribution the Premiership talent pathway makes to their playing success. That pathway has faltered over the last few years, but all parties are confident that we can strengthen and improve it.
“All the statistics show that the Welsh Premiership is a vital rung on the ladder for young players who will go on to play regional and international rugby for Wales.
"The valuable work that Nigel Davies, chief executive of Merthyr RFC has done in forensically analysing the Premiership pathway confirms this. It makes the current WRU stance in ‘de-powering’ the Premiership and reducing its financial support all the more difficult to understand in this context.
“We are determined to show as a club and as a league that this is a sub optimum approach for the WRU to take. The future is also about defusing the unproductive and historical antagonism that still exists between the four regions and the clubs in Wales.
“We would welcome the prospect of hosting future Blues games at Sardis Road and we are encouraged by the refreshing dialogue to date.
"The South Wales Metro project [rail electrification] means a turn-up-and-go rail service getting you from the centre of Cardiff to Sardis Road in just over 20 minutes.”