In a landmark deal for Welsh rugby, the Union has worked closely with each of its four professional regions and consulted with member clubs to consolidate the insurance offering for the national game, leveraging the buying power of the regions, 320 member clubs, districts and affiliates.
The new deal, arranged by Aon, is testament to the collective passion, strength and commitment of Welsh rugby – with more collaborative partnerships to benefit Welsh rugby, its players and supporters planned for the future.
“This is a landmark deal for Welsh rugby and is a direct result of working closely together alongside Pro Rugby Wales, our regions and member clubs and districts in the collective interests of the game,” said WRU chief executive Martyn Phillips.
“I would particularly like to thank the regions who have led significant parts of this work and whose efforts have resulted in a significant benefit for community clubs.
“Clearly a key part of our role at the WRU is to create investment for clubs. Sometimes this will take the form of direct funding and on other occasions, like we have here with insurance, it allows clubs to procure services for less money which creates indirect investment for clubs to invest in growing the game.
“We have secured significantly better cover for players at a very cost effective premium and achieved something we could not have done had we not acted together.
“We are going to market together and offering businesses the opportunity to do deals with Welsh rugby in its entirety and this is one of the first examples of this approach in action.
“It’s a hugely significant deal for community rugby, for the volunteers, coaches, players and clubs which are the lifeblood of our national game and presents a bespoke offering for them and those at the professional end of the game.
“Serious injury is a rare occurrence, but we are a physical sport and it is only right and proper that, if you are registered with WRU – as a player, coach or referee – you are comprehensively covered, alongside a range of ‘opt in’ options for clubs and individuals looking for greater cover.”
Dani Ettridge, Head of Specialty – Affinity, Aon Risk Solutions, said:
“We were delighted to be appointed as insurance and risk advisor for Welsh rugby and have transformed the vision of building on the collective voice of the game in Wales into an innovative insurance programme,developing and delivering a range of insurance solutions to provide genuine value and protection at all levels of Welsh rugby.
“We look forward to developing a long standing relationship with Welsh rugby over the coming years.”
Mark Davies, Chief Executive of Pro Rugby Wales said: “Over the last two years as insurance broker and risk advisor to the four professional clubs through Pro Rugby Wales, Aon have proved to be an effective partner and a progressive business, so we are delighted they have been successful in becoming the Insurance partner to Welsh rugby through a rigorous and disciplined tender process.
“The opportunity for us to now work together with WRU and use the benefits of scale to support every community club in Wales is a significant step in demonstrating how we can work together to achieve real results.
“Every professional player and official in Wales starts their career in the junior section of a community club, so we are committed to do all we can to actively support the foundations of our game alongside the WRU through initiatives such as this.”
