How come that Czech Rugby runs out of money only now?
Like in case of the other sports in Czechia, the funding is a problem and we are facing the issue how to maintain all national teams for a longer time. Czech rugby saved money in 2020 and 2021 due to pandemic as most of the sport events were cancelled. Only due to those money we were able to survive 2022, which was the first year that we went “full-blast”.
What will happen if we don’t raise the money?
If we don’t raise sufficient amount, we will be forced to opt our teams out of the European competitions as well as to cancel the trainings of national teams in question. By that, Czechia would not be represented at the international scene and Czech rugby would get several years back in time, when we had no ambition to compete at the highest European levels.
We wrote down some question that we think you might have on your mind. If you want to know more, please ask. Contact as at marketing@rugbyunion.cz and we will be happy to gave you the answers.
How does the budgeting work at Czech Rugby Union?
Czech Rugby is funded by subsidies, partners and license fees. Unfortunately, subsidies are fixed for just one year and strictly linked to a particular area of expenses. On top, their administration is a complex process that requires professional personnel, which costs something as well. Sponsorship is an area where we have been successful to grow and where we have high hopes regarding the upcoming Rugby World Cup. However, acquisition of new partners is becoming more and more difficult nowadays. Licence fees are obtained from the own members. Money are then spent for the trainings of national teams, their participation at the sport events, organization of domestic competitions and for the development of talented youth.
Why does Czech Rugby hire new employees when it struggles to maintain national teams?
Since subsidies represent the main source of income and their administration gets more and more complex, it is necessary to employ professionals, who are able to administer those. Big money involved means big risk if those are lost and hence two-pairs-of-eyes control is needed. On top, new employees support the development of the clubs, which are the main engines of our growth.
Why do we have partners, when we don’t have money for national teams?
Partners help us to finance the activities that we are not able to cover from subsidies. They financially contribute to the development of rugby in our country. Recently, we have been lucky that the companies from private sector are more and more interested in rugby and its values, which are matching with their own.
Why don’t we cancel some other national teams to fund Under-18 and Under-20?
There will not be any cancellation of national teams for sure. What are we facing is a significant limitation of trainings and withdrawal from European Championships. At some national teams, we would have to increase the participation from players, hence their parents.
How come the women national teams are not impaceted?
Financial problems affect all representations across the Union. The only one not affected is women's sevens rugby, which received a special subsidy from the state in 2022 to prepare for the Olympics. Currently, the women's national 7s team and all junior national 7s teams find themselves in several years of preparation to qualify for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games and also the World Series, which is rugby at such a high level that we couldn't even dream of a few years ago. We are proud of the girls. Let's wish them well.