Thousands of items of equipment from grid markers to goalposts and first aid courses to ground maintenance equipment will be made available to clubs to help improve facilities and infrastructure.
The one-off WRU Participation Points Scheme will enable member clubs to choose the products they need from reward points based on set criteria.
Criteria such as the number of teams from U7’s to senior and women’s sides plus factors such as the number of first aiders, match officials and coaches will determine the number of reward points available to each club.
Reward points can they be exchanged for products within an extensive catalogue that have been negotiated through selected partners such as Gilbert, SWALEC and Rhino.
This is the second Participation Points scheme unveiled by the WRU and follows on from the success of the scheme in 2010 in which the governing body distributed £1m worth of equipment.
More than 1,000 hit shields, 376 whistles, 433 first aid kits and 37 scrum machines were just some of thousands of products clubs benefited from in 2010 and described as a huge success by clubs across the country.
Newport HSOB benefited hugely from the scheme in 2010 and club secretary Caroline Studley has welcomed its return.
“The scheme was very valuable for us back in 2010 and for a club like ours equipment is at a premium so it was great to be able to provide the different sides and age groups with the equipment they needed.
“We run two seniors sides, a youth team, a vets team, junior sides from U7’s through to U16’s, a girls group and the Specials. We spoke to all the groups to see what they most needed and it was great to be able to provide some of what they wanted. to help with their training sessions.
“On a Sunday morning our pitches are busy with up to 7 of our age groups playing friendly matches at the same time, supported by their families and it is pleasing to have sufficient equipment to make this possible.
“Equipment is so valuable to a club like ours and we are delighted to have another opportunity once again this year.”
The Group Chief Executive of the WRU, Roger Lewis, said: “The return of the scheme has been extremely well received and we are delighted to be able to deliver £750,000 worth of help to the heart of Welsh rugby.
“Clubs will be receiving the extensive product catalogue in the coming weeks meaning they are able to select what they need, place the order and benefit from the investment this season.
“The 2010 Participation Points scheme was a huge boost to clubs and off the back of that we have added even more products to ensure clubs benefit fully from the offer.”
