We, the undersigned, are calling on the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) to urgently reconsider its decision to remove Hub Officers from schools and communities across Wales.

 

Hub Officers are the backbone of grassroots rugby — providing coaching, support, and opportunities for thousands of young people who would otherwise not have access to the game. They connect schools with clubs, mentor future players, and promote rugby’s core values: respect, teamwork, and resilience.

 

Without them, rugby in many schools will simply not happen. In some areas, they are the only link between young players and the sport.

 

This decision not only risks alienating the next generation of Welsh rugby players but also threatens the future of District rugby, where Hub Officers play a crucial role in talent identification and development.

 

To make matters worse, many of these officers found out they were losing their roles through gossip at the URRD rugby festival in Cardiff, rather than receiving clear communication from the WRU. This is a disgraceful way to treat dedicated staff who have given so much to the game.

 

We believe:

 

Every child in Wales deserves access to rugby, no matter their background or postcode.

 

Hub Officers are essential to maintaining and growing that access.

 

Removing them is short-sighted, damaging, and out of step with the values the WRU claims to uphold.

 

We are calling on the WRU to:

Reinstate the Hub Officer roles or introduce an equivalent programme to ensure school and grassroots rugby continues to thrive.

 

Publicly acknowledge and apologise for the way these job losses were communicated.

 

Commit to long-term investment in community rugby, including a transparent plan for development at school and district level.

 

Protect our Hub Officers. Protect the future of Welsh rugby.

 

✍️ Please sign and share this petition if you believe rugby should be accessible to all, and that those building its future deserve respect and support