Three UCFB academics have recently played his part in a report which offers an insight into the financial world of elite-level rugby union.
The report, looking into financial sustainability of rugby union, aims to address the action possible which can address key challenges professional rugby faces.
The three UCFB academics which helped form this report includes:
- Professor Rob Wilson – head of executive recruitment and programmes
- Andy Golding – lecturer in BA (Hons) Sports Business and Sports Law
- Adam Davis – lecturer in sports business
The three members of UCFB’s academic staff worked alongside a commercial client on the report, but also a group which a strong rugby background, including project lead Alex Cadwallader.
Alex is a Welsh former professional rugby player, and one which Professor Rob Wilson said, “truly understands the importance of financial sustainability.”
This report brings together all analysis and financial information on elite-level rugby union for the first time, making a case for modernised thinking within the game.
“The report’s aim,” Rob said, “is to draw a line in the sand to stimulate action which can address the key challenges the professional game faces.
“In many ways the sport is at a crossroads. With intense scrutiny on a public stage, a game that is showcasing some of the most exciting rugby on the planet, yet one that fails to cover its bills.
“If we want our heritage in the sport to continue, we need modernised thinking.”
Speaking about working on the report, Rob said: “It was great to work on a report of this nature from the inside. It became a terrific blend of data, insight, practical understanding and real-world application.”
He added, talking about his specific work: “I was the lead consultant on the report, alongside two of my early-career PhD students, Dr Daniel Plumley and Dr Ellie Nesbitt.
“My role was to bring the data insights together and provide some headline analysis for the Leonard Curtis team, and the lead journalist, Jonathan Dyson, to produce the report.
“Jonathan also established an expert panel to 'stress test' our ideas, data and methodology, which included Andy Golding and Adam Davis.”
To find out more about the academic staff at both UCFB Wembley and UCFB Manchester, click here.
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