The regulations reflect the general principles expressed in IRB Regulation 5, and the new system will come into force in Wales from October 1 2008.
All agents representing players in Wales should apply to the Union by Friday September 5 to allow sufficient time for applications for be processed and for agents to become WRU registered by October 1. The regulations cover all agents representing players currently under contract in Wales, along with any agent representing players seeking to join clubs and regions in Wales.
The Union involved the Welsh Regions, the Welsh Rugby Players Association and representatives of rugby agents in a consultation process before drawing up the regulations which will govern and authorise the activity of player agents in Wales.
Those applying to become a WRU registered agent must observe the highest standards of integrity and fair dealing and agree amongst other things to:
– avoid all conflicts of interest in the course of their activity. This, for example, would prevent agents from holding any position within the WRU or a club, including coaching, administrative or director level roles
– Agree not to act for more than one party in any one transaction, and they must disclose in writing the identity of all players and / or persons they represent
– Conform to the rules on approaches, which prevent agents representing players under contract, to contact any other club or region without the written consent of the WRU or club with whom the player is under contract.
The WRU will publish a list of agents registered with the WRU on the WRU website
WRU Group Chief Executive Roger Lewis said, “We are doing this to safeguard the players and the game in Wales. The introduction of this regulation has been long overdue and I would like to thank everyone who has been involved in this process. The WRU is committed to creating sustainability on and off the field and as the governing body of the sport in Wales I am pleased that we have achieved a consensus with all of our partners.”
WRU AUDIO: WRU Group Chief Executive Roger Lewis comments on the new Agents Regulations
Richard Harry, Chief Executive of the Welsh Rugby Players Association (WRPA) said, “The new Agent Regulations should be welcomed as they set a uniform and minimum standard for agents, and provide a framework within which all relevant partners can work. This can only benefit the players, the Regions and the agents themselves. It also demonstrates the importance of stakeholders working together for the betterment of the game.”
Dragons Chief Executive Gethin Jenkins, representing the interests of the four Welsh regions in relation to these regulations said, “The introduction of this regulation is a positive step forward in order to ensure contractual negotiations are undertaken in a professional manner which is in the interests of all parties.”
The WRU player agent regulations and application forms can be downloaded from the WRU website (www.wru.co.uk/agentregistration). A registration fee of £250 must be enclosed with the application and includes a £50 non-refundable administration fee.
