Neath Chairman Joins Fifth Region Call

18th August 2008

NEATH CHAIRMAN JOINS FIFTH REGION CALL

Neath chairman Geraint Hawkes has hailed the idea of Wales adopting a fifth region.

"I fully agree with Warren Gatland that there is a need for a fifth region," said the Neath chairman.

"Quite simply there are insufficient opportunities for Welsh youngsters to make their way in the Game. This summer we at Neath have lost two very promising lads in prop Ross Davies and scrum half Gareth Williams who have linked with Sale and Harlequins respectively.

"Our regions were aware of them but were unwilling to take a chance on the pair yet the summer has seen another batch of southern hemisphere players joining Welsh regional payrolls - and they are hardly the household names or trail-blazers who will add guaranteed value to the regional product.

"We at Neath continue to produce youngsters of promise but they don't get enough opportunities. When a player such as Mathew Jones is forced to move outside Wales when a region decides to sign a thirty year old in his place can't be good for development.

"Also there are many players we see each week in the Premiership who could make the grade and would benefit from proper regional exposure rather than some cobbled together ‘A' team of doubtful pedigree.

I fully understand and accept the pressures that the existing four regions have as success especially in European competitions is paramount and by establishing a 5th region this will take the pressure off them to develop and will only compliment what they are striving to achieve . The regions should be made up of the elite players in Wales and not have to develop those players themselves. This task must be made easier for them and what sits below our four professional regional set ups must play its part and stand up and be counted.

"A fifth development region would give these lads more exposure on a regular basis - but it is vital that the region covers the right location."

The current welsh squad is predominately made up of players who originate from within the boundaries where the Celtic warriors one stood and a set up including Bridgend and Pontypridd is essential .

If strong commercial structures and proactive off the field activities are put in place there is no reason why a large proportion of the funding required can't be generated without such a heavy reliance on the WRU. There will be a funding requirement of course especially in the initial stages but I would say no more than a third of what our other four regions get.

If we take Neath's commercial activities for example. sales generated from our town centre retail outlet in the first year we opened were just under 400k and this was over three years ago and we are a semi professional club. I am sure that given the geographical area that this region would cover and it's much larger potential market then there is no reason at all why this figure can't be trebled at least given the right marketing . This is only one example of what can be achieved
There are many professional individuals within welsh rugby who are involved in rugby clubs and I am sure that given the opportunity these people could contribute and offer expertise in developing a strong mix of corporate and rugby fan support .

The game in Wales has moved on since the demise of the warriors but I am sure that
given the opportunity with the right structures put in place and with the help of commercially minded individuals, professional rugby in such a hot bed of talent can succeed and flourish. The game in Wales will be the ultimate winner."