Ulster Rugby Annual Report

There has been much press reporting over the last few months on potential private equity investment in the PRO14 league. Any possible outcomes of this would impact future investment and budget plans for all rugby in Ireland, including each of the Branches. THANKS I would like to thank all the staff within the Branch for their continued excellent work in the domestic game under the guidance and leadership of Chris Webster and Barry Willis, and also the volunteers who work within the Branch and club structure in Ulster for giving of their time and expertise to administer the great game that we all love, the game for everyone. The IRFU has agreed to maintain its support of the domestic game for 2019/20 at similar levels to the last years, over £800k – this was an increase of £200k during 2018/19. The Branch will continue to explore additional avenues for funding opportunities. However, this continues to be challenging with the ongoing impasse at Stormont. We hope the NI Executive can be restored as soon as possible so that departmental funding decisions can be made. The Professional Game depends upon the continued goodwill of the wider rugby followers, sponsors and partners who support the team throughout the year and I would like to thank all these groups for their continuing interest and support of Ulster Rugby. The IRFU continues to provide significant assistance and financial support to the Professional Game in Ulster and across Ireland. The IRFU and Ulster recognise that the Provinces must continue to develop local talent through their Academies. This was more evident than ever during the 2018/19 when many of our Academy players regularly performed for the senior side. This must be in balance with the recruitment of non-Irish qualified players to supplement and develop local talent and provide leadership when our best players are on Ireland duty, particularly in a world cup year. The recruitments of Matt Faddes and Sam Carter from Super Rugby have been brought in with this in mind. The Branch is grateful to the IRFU for its ongoing and increasing financial support of the professional and domestic games. Grant Thornton is the Branch’s internal auditor and performed a number of reviews during the year, all of which achieved a satisfactory level of assurance. The internal aduitors undertook their work with insight and diligence during the year. The annual audit of the Branch’s accounts is once again being performed by Deloitte who continue to carry out this work to a very tight timescale in an efficient and professional manner. I would like to express my thanks on behalf of the Branch to Deloitte for their guidance and assistance over the year. The Audit Committee made up of David Workman (Chair), Paul Harte and Hugh Johnston provides independent oversight of the internal and external audit work and I am grateful for their consideration and support in this area.

The Finance Committee has continued its work of overseeing and scrutinising the management of the Branch’s financial affairs. I am very grateful to this committee for its support during the year. The committee members included John McKibbin (IRFU Rep), David Millar (Chair of the Professional Game Board), Denis Gardiner (Honorary Secretary) and Stephen Black (Chair of the Domestic Game Committee). Jonny Petrie (Chief Executive) and Audrey Robinson (Financial Controller) also attend meetings of the Finance Committee and their detailed knowledge and understanding of the Branch’s day to day operations is very much appreciated. My thanks also go to Audrey and her committed finance team, Claire Mitchell, and Janice Gilpin, for all their hard work and support throughout the year which has been invaluable. Stephen Elliott, our outgoing President, has tirelessly represented the Branch in every corner of the Province. He has undertaken all his duties with professionalism and commitment supported by his wife Heather. I welcome Gary Leslie as our incoming President and his wife Dawn. I know they will represent the Branch with enthusiasm and good humour following the example of Stephen and Heather. My thanks also go to all three of the Chief Executives who were in post during the year. Shane, David and Jonny always made themselves available to discuss ideas, thoughts and concerns. Jonny is driving the business forward with a commercial and a rugby focus and I wish him continued success. Paul Terrington, Chair of Management Committee has delivered a strategic vision for the Branch with clarity and insight. I look forward to continuing to work with Management Committee under Paul’s leadership as we develop our strategic plan developing rugby in Ulster at all levels for all people. Finally, in summary, 2018/19 has been another challenging year for Ulster Branch with senior staff exits, lower than expected league income, change in accounting period, and business plan development around private equity funding to name but a few areas. 2019/20 is already showing signs of being as eventful and challenging with many players on international duty for the first couple of months of the season at the Rugby World Cup. The Branch has many good people, both staff and volunteers, with good ideas and experience working in a constructive manner through the challenges as they arise. Michael Boyd Honorary Treasurer

37