In a meeting with the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) last week, Leader of the Welsh Conservatives and Clwyd West MS, Darren Millar, told officials of his disappointment that Under 20s Six Nations games have been moved away from North Wales.
North Wales had been the home of Wales U20s for over a decade, with rugby fans enjoying watching the games at Parc Eirias in Colwyn Bay, but last year the Welsh Rugby Union decided they should move back to the south.
Last week Darren, and Gareth Davies, the Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Tourism, Sport, met with senior officials at the Welsh Rugby Union and raised their concerns over the move.
Both politicians outlined the benefits of having the games in North Wales and urged the WRU to reconsider its decision.
They also raised the lack of Welsh language translation on some of the WRU’s mailings.
Speaking after the visit, Darren said:
“Parc Eirias is a fantastic venue for international matches and people from across North Wales loved being able to watch the Under20s games on their doorstep.
“With so many things happening in the south, it was a rare treat to have these live games here in the north. Last year’s news about them moving back to the south was therefore a devastating blow to the area.
“At last week’s meeting Gareth and I spoke of the many benefits having the games at Parc Eirias brought to North Wales and urged them to look at their decision again.
“As well as promoting the great game in North Wales, having the matches in Colwyn Bay was hugely advantageous to the local economy.
“We certainly made the case for returning the games to the north and I am grateful to the WRU for agreeing to meet with us and listening to our concerns. I hope they now go away and carefully consider the concerns we raised.”
Gareth said:
“I was delighted to have the opportunity to meet with senior officials from the Welsh Rugby Union with the Welsh Conservative Leader, Darren Millar MS to discuss issues facing the provision of live rugby in North Wales.
“I’m disappointed that the WRU have stopped live U20’s Six Nations games being played at Eirias Park in Colwyn Bay and hosting them in Cardiff instead.
“The game of rugby is in our DNA in Wales, and people in North Wales should have access to live international rugby on their doorstep as was previously the case. I call on the WRU to change their minds on this matter and encourage local authorities across North Wales to take an interest in supporting such efforts.”
ENDS
