The meeting was held at the Eirias ground in Colwyn Bay before the boardmembers watched the Wales U20 match against Scotland. The WRU decided to hold the meeting in the north to indicate how the initiatives currently taking place in the area are a priority for Welsh rugby.
All three Wales U20 home Six Nations tournament fixtures are being played at Eirias to boost representative rugby in the region. The WRU had the backing of the board to designate North Wales- a development region- in a bid to boost the game.
As part of the initiative the WRU worked closely with the Colwyn council to support a major revamp of the Eirias complex to enable top class rugby to be played at the venue. WRU Chairman David Pickering chaired the board meeting, which was held within the Eirias complex for the first time.
North Wales district director Peredur Jenkins said: “I am delighted to welcome my fellow board members and senior representatives here to North Wales for this meeting. By hosting a Board meeting at Eirias the Welsh Rugby Union is making a powerful statement about its support for the game in the north.
“A lot of people have worked extremely hard to achieve huge steps forward in the development of North Wales rugby. There is a lot more work to do but events like today’s meeting and the sell out U20 international prove that the effort is worth it.”
The Group Chief Executive of the WRU, Roger Lewis, added: “This is an historic moment in Welsh rugby. By holding a board meeting here in the north we are making an important statement about our commitment to rugby in this part of Wales.
“The incredible transformation of the facility here at Eirias will signal massive opportunities for the game here. From next season it will be the home of RGC 1404 playing in Division One East and that offers great opportunities for player development.
“I want to thank Conwy Council, the Welsh Government and all our WRU representatives in the north for helping us to achieve the progress we have made already. This is all clear evidence of our intention to help develop North Wales rugby in a way which will build on its proud history.
“The people of North Wales have proved they want to see high quality rugby by turning out in their thousands for the U20 international. Everyone involved in the planning and preparation of the game here can take credit for creating a hugely successful event.”
