Latest news with #ITVNewsWales
ITV News
4 days ago
- Politics
- ITV News
Cutting deep: Welsh Rugby faces radical reform to reverse sport's decline
There is a desperate battle brewing in the proud rugby nation of Wales, with a U-turn by the Welsh Rugby Union throwing the game into chaos. ITV News Wales Reporter Rhys Williams has more Having punched above its weight for so long, Wales has worn its rugby heritage like a badge of honour. But after a string of disappointing results on the pitch, resignations in the governing body over allegations of misogyny and sexism, and a growing financial crisis, the future of Welsh rugby has never looked more months after pledging to fund the existing four professional clubs, the Welsh Rugby Union is now considering a radical and controversial restructuring of the professional game, including the possibility of halving the number of clubs from four to just two. It's a move that would reshape the sport at its highest level in Wales, but one that's already causing anger and resentment among thousands of has also created enormous uncertainty for the clubs, with the new season due to begin next would be a very bold move. No international team with fewer than four professional clubs has even finished higher than third in the Six Nations Rugby Championship, let alone win CEO Abi Tierney told ITV News today that this is a 'once-in-a-generation chance to get this right for Wales', and acknowledged the urgent need to provide stability and clarity to the game. With clubs facing challenging financial and performance issues, WRC CEO Abi Tierney explains why the reforms are being put forward But the turbulence isn't confined to the pitch. A political row has erupted after Carmarthenshire-based politicians called on the Welsh Government to block the Ospreys' planned redevelopment of the historic St Helen's Ground on Swansea MP and Swansea East MP Carolyn Harris has hit back strongly, calling their behaviour 'underhand.' Meanwhile, Ospreys CEO Lance Bradley told ITV News that it's vital the clubs know what's happening 'as soon as we can,' but said short-term pain could be worth it if it leads to long-term gain for Welsh rugby.'We have to keep our eye on the prize here. What we're all aiming for is to get Welsh rugby, at both national and club level, into a much better place than it is now. That's what we're all working together to try and achieve.''Whatever happens, we're very positive about the future here at St Helen's and to be honest, we can't wait to be in.'The landscape of Welsh rugby looks set to change dramatically. The hope is that bold reform can reverse its the fear remains: cutting teams may only make things worse.
ITV News
29-05-2025
- Politics
- ITV News
Welsh government unveils new measures to halt the decline of the Welsh language
The Welsh government has unveiled fresh measures aimed at halting the decline of the Welsh language, but some of the measures they plan to take could be controversial, ITV News Wales Reporter Rhys Williams reports Latest census data showed a small decline in the number of Welsh speakers in Wales from 19% to 17.8%. But a big rise in the number of children speaking Welsh in Cardiff meant the true loss of the language in its historical heartlands was areas like Brynamman, at the southern tip of Bannau Brycheiniog National Park, the language is in significant the 1970s, more than 90% of the village spoke Welsh. Now, fewer than 60% do so. Campaigners say this story is replicated in many majority Welsh speaking communities across western Wales, where English is now becoming the dominant language. They argue that housing developments with insufficient affordable homes, as well as the proliferation of second homes, inflates property prices and reduces the number of Welsh-speaking families able to stay in these the Welsh government has announced plans to give protected status to some Welsh speaking communities akin to special conservation areas. That would mean developers and local authorities will have to increase the consideration given to the Welsh language when applications are Welsh government's Secretary for the Welsh Language, Mark Drakeford, told me he accepts this policy may lead to more developments being blocked, but says it's a matter of 'levelling the playing field' for local many in the construction industry say the last thing the planning process needs is more bureaucracy. It's also far from clear how this policy work in practice and succeed in arresting decades of decline.
