RFU cash in on successful year
Revenues exceeded £200m for the first time thanks to the effect of the high number of Twickenham matches on ticket, broadcasting, hospitality and other match-day revenues, non-match day conference and event revenues, renewed long-term sponsorship deals and the recognition of Rugby World Cup evenues to match costs incurred.
Rugby investment increased two percent over the previous year to £76.8m, with investment in professional rugby broadly flat with 2013/14 but rugby development investment up by five percent (£1.5m) due to increased spending on game development and growth initiatives.
RFU Chief Executive Ian Ritchie said: "This was a busy and financially successful year with a retained profit of £7.7m after making a record level of investment directly into clubs and in operating the English game at all levels.
"Given all the activities that are happening at Twickenham and across the country in building the legacy for RWC2015 it has never been truer that our success is only achieved with the help and dedication of our entire team of volunteers and staff."
RFU Chief Financial Officer Stephen Brown added: "The financial performance in 2014/15 was exceptionally strong, the RFU delivering a fifth consecutive year of rugby investment growth, which now exceeds Strategic Plan projections by £14m over the past three years.”
In summary the highlights for the year were:
– Revenue of £207.9m
– Total investment in rugby up two percent over previous year
– Completion of the Twickenham Stadium upgrade project on time and on budget
– Increased long-term commercial partnerships across the game.
– England men and women confirm Great Britain Sevens place for Olympics
– Women and Girls Strategy launched following the England win in Paris in Women’s Rugby World Cup.
– All Schools programme, supported by CBRE, has now brought 400 new state secondary schools to rugby
– Touch programme reaches 10,000 registered players
– Investment in and preparation for Rugby World Cup 2015
– Continuing Lead Up and Legacy work
– UNITY project helping rugby development in 17 European nations.
