GOVERNING BODIES CALL FOR COMMONWEALTH GAMES REFORM

The Governing Bodies, which include the major sports of athletics, swimming and rugby, have requested a Special General Meeting of the CGCW to consider a resolution to remove its Directors.

The Governing Bodies want to reform the current CGCW organisation structure which they believe – having served Wales well – now needs to become more professional. They believe that it does not represent the interest of its members and should be run as a more modernised and professional organisation.

The Governing Bodies are also concerned that there will be no public money to support the Wales team for the 2006 games in Melbourne as the Sports Council of Wales and the Welsh Assembly Government have refused to finance the team unless the CGCW commits to a reform.

Winning 31 medals, the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester, were Wales most successful ever. However, Governing Bodies, coaches and team managers alike identified the need for change which essentially meant a need for greater professionalism and a competitor centred approach within the CGCW.

Following the 2002 Games, the Sports Council for Wales published a report which was based on an independent survey involving competitors, coaches, team members and HQ staff. The group of Governing Bodies argue that those recommendations which applied to the CGCW had been largely ignored and CGCW has not given them serious consideration.

Initially, the Welsh Assembly Government had indicated that funding of £100,000 would be made available with an additional sum of £150,000 on a match funding basis. This offer has subsequently been withdrawn as the CGCW have declined the requests of the Sports Council for Wales and the Welsh Assembly Government to become a more modernised and professional organisation, which represents the interest of competing sports at the Commonwealth Games.