Skip to main content
BBC SPORT / WELSH
Graphics Version | Change to International Version | BBC News Home
Sport Homepage | Olympics | Football | Cricket | Rugby Union | Rugby League | Tennis | Golf | Motorsport | Boxing | Athletics | Snooker | Horse Racing | Cycling | Disability Sport | Other sport... | Sports Personality | 606 | Sport Academy | Fun and Games | Inside Sport | Northern Ireland | Scotland | Wales
Rugby Union Contents:  Live scores | English | Irish | Scottish | Welsh | My Club | Skills | Laws & Equipment | Get Involved

23:14 GMT, Tuesday, 22 July 2008 00:14 UK

Lewis hails fresh WRU loan deal

WRU group chief executive Roger Lewis

The Welsh Rugby Union has renegotiated its loan agreement with Barclays Bank, allowing its debts to fluctuate between £45m and £55m.

WRU finance director Steve Phillips and chief executive Roger Lewis negotiated the deal.

Welsh rugby's governing body will be allowed to extend borrowing beyond £45m during periods when income is low.

"Barclays are basically telling us we are making the right decisions," said a delighted Lewis.

"I am now excited by the prospect of being able to utilise this new financial standing we enjoy for the benefit of Welsh rugby as a whole."

Phillips said: "This arrangement basically means the bank is restoring to us a level of trust which allows us to properly manage our business and make hard decisions involving millions of pounds."

In a statement, the WRU said the introduction of what it termed a "revolving facility" means it can reduce its interest charge payments due to the bank by a six-figure sum.

The loan was originally taken out by the union to help fund the building and development of the Millennium Stadium, which celebrates its 10th anniversary in 2009.

Lewis added: "This is a major step forward for us and offers us considerable opportunities in taking our business planning onto a new level.

"Any organisation with ambitions to grow and prosper must have the confidence and the ability to manage its finances properly, effectively and responsibly.

606: DEBATE
Is this good news for Welsh rugby?
"Now the WRU has a new level of financial freedom and the announcement of this deal sends out all the right messages to our stakeholders, potential partners for the future and the rugby fans of Wales.

Phillips said: "The dialogue with Barclays has been extremely focused and they challenged us on all our financial plans and strategies.

"What it all boils down to is that Barclays are giving us a greater degree of freedom in how we manage our business and allows us to focus on the repayment profile of this substantial loan."



E-mail this to a friend
Related to this story:

WRU announces debt deal (25 Nov 04 |  Wales )
Revolt against WRU reform (27 Jul 03 |  Internationals )
BBC Sport Wales coverage (23 Mar 08 |  Wales )
Wales rugby results archive (15 Oct 03 |  Welsh )
Wales' rugby fixtures (26 Jun 07 |  Welsh )

RELATED INTERNET LINKS:
Welsh Rugby Union
BBC Where I Live - Wales
Rugby union weather
Scrum V homepage
Millennium Stadium
Your say - 606
Welsh rugby webguide
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites



SEARCH BBC SPORT: 

Sport Homepage | Olympics | Football | Cricket | Rugby Union | Rugby League | Tennis | Golf | Motorsport | Boxing | Athletics | Snooker | Horse Racing | Cycling | Disability Sport | Other sport... | Sports Personality | 606 | Sport Academy | Fun and Games | Inside Sport | Northern Ireland | Scotland | Wales
Rugby Union Contents:  Live scores | English | Irish | Scottish | Welsh | My Club | Skills | Laws & Equipment | Get Involved

^ Back to top | BBC News Home | BBC Homepage | Feedback | Help | ©