Rhys Williams’ Post

We are delighted to announce our new Legal Column in the ever-growing Sportin Wales magazine. Catch us on page 31, where Rhys Williams shares expert advice on navigating commercial property leases in Wales for prospective tenants. #LegalAdvice #CommercialProperty #NewColumn

A very disappointing day for rugby in Australia. It seems history is set to repeat itself with another Australian Super Rugby Team ceasing to exist. It is naive to think reducing the professional contracting opportunities by 20% will increase depth and competition. The NRL and AFL have 17 and 18 teams respectively, Rugby will have 4. Which code do you think juniors will steer towards? A 1/4 chance or a 1/17 or 1/18, less career opportunities will equal less depth as potential players seek certainty and better odds of making it professional. How could a governing body be ignorant to a franchise operating insolvent for multiple years? I question whether this failure of corporate governance raises more concerns for the future of professional rugby in Australia.

Rugby is taking centre stage with the #SixNations kicking off tonight, but how are domestic leagues adapting to the challenges that shape the sport’s commercial landscape year-round? From Premiership Rugby's quest for high-value sponsorships to the United Rugby Championship's growing audience appeal, leagues are navigating a complex road ahead. The Top 14 sets the gold standard, but what’s next for the most commercially successful European rugby league? Faaez Samadi explores how these leagues are positioning themselves for long-term commercial growth. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/ebMtykhM

In PNG, Politics is in anything and everything, I personally wonder, why we have to politicize sports in the country, PNG Politics has already done enough damage to the economy and image of this country, why can't somethings be freed of politics, and able to flourish alone, thank goodness, other sports, have progressed forward in the world stage, like #cricket, and #soccer, have seen growth and recognition with less politics involved. #PNGFailingForward

According to website Rugby365, the sale of Newlands Rugby Stadium - to an undisclosed buyer - was voted on, and approved, at a recent Western Province Rugby Football Union council meeting. Following the move of Western Province Rugby’s professional teams to DHL Stadium in early 2022, Newlands Rugby has ceased to be a rugby venue. When Western Province Rugby was placed under administration by SARU in October 2021, one of the major tasks assigned to the administrator was to finalise the sale of the stadium. One of the obstacles included a proposal to have the stadium declared a heritage site however, an independent report by a heritage specialist suggested otherwise. Rugby365: https://bit.ly/4bKLJPr Western Province Rugby: https://bit.ly/3LiXRfR The independent report by Bridget O’Donoghue: https://bit.ly/3LiXRfR #newlandsrugbystadium #sport #rugby #commercialrealestate #rugbystadium #realestateinvestment #capetownproperty #assetmanagement #capetown #propertydevelopment #realestatenews #propertynews

According to website Rugby365, the sale of Newlands Rugby Stadium - to an undisclosed buyer - was voted on, and approved, at a recent Western Province Rugby Football Union council meeting. Following the move of Western Province Rugby’s professional teams to DHL Stadium in early 2022, Newlands Rugby has ceased to be a rugby venue. When Western Province Rugby was placed under administration by SARU in October 2021, one of the major tasks assigned to the administrator was to finalise the sale of the stadium. One of the obstacles included a proposal to have the stadium declared a heritage site however, an independent report by a heritage specialist suggested otherwise. Rugby365: https://bit.ly/4bKLJPr Western Province Rugby: https://bit.ly/3LiXRfR The independent report by Bridget O’Donoghue: https://bit.ly/3LiXRfR #newlandsrugbystadium #sport #rugby #commercialrealestate #rugbystadium #realestateinvestment #capetownproperty #assetmanagement #capetown #propertydevelopment #realestatenews #propertynews

Ulster Rugby: Iain Henderson and Rob Herring sign contract extensions Ireland internationals Iain Henderson and Rob Herring have signed contract extensions with Ulster. Ulster captain Henderson, whose central Irish Rugby Football Union [IRFU] contract will expire at the end of the season, has penned a two-year extension with the province until 2027. Herring's new deal will keep the hooker at the Belfast-based club until 2026. - https://lnkd.in/d5Br5tZz

We've all been buzzing since winning a Rugby Black List award and feel more than ever that serious discussion and action needs to be taken around this fundamental question: "If rugby in England wants to engage with diverse communities how will this be achieved if diverse communities have no access to rugby?" In highly populated urban areas the required space for schools and clubs to play rugby on doesn't exist in sufficient amounts. Interesting fact - 50% of the total BAME population in England live in 3 cities. London, Birmingham & Manchester. Any thoughts? Also consider that you can't start to fudge the game (which is something the powers that be are currently working on) to create 5 a side touch and call it rugby. The beauty of rugby as we know it is that all shapes and sizes have an equal and important part to play on the pitch. Without this element it simply isn't rugby.

Can the All Blacks hold onto the Raeburn Shield? Or will France take it for the north and try to keep it for the Six Nations in 2025? The Shield’s up for grabs again, and it’s all on the line at Stade de France this week. Historically, the All Blacks have the edge in Raeburn Shield clashes against France, winning 14 of their 19 Shield encounters. Across those match-ups, New Zealand has racked up 389 points to France’s 229. But here’s the twist—France has claimed victory four times, proving they’ve got what it takes to take the Shield north. In fact, the last time France held the Raeburn Shield was back in 2009, when they stunned New Zealand in Dunedin. Now, 15 years later, they’re looking to make history again and bring the Shield back to French soil. Who’s got the edge? The All Blacks have Beauden Barrett back at 10, with Codie Taylor starting at hooker, adding depth and experience. France, however, is ready to unleash some flair, with Romain Buros making his debut at fullback. Will the All Blacks’ strong historical edge and experience see them through, or will the passionate home crowd push France to reclaim the Shield for the first time since 2009? Why does this matter? The Raeburn Shield isn’t just a trophy—it’s rugby’s lineage, passed down from game to game since 1871. There’s no ranking or committee behind it—just the result on the field. Every match is a chance to add to a tradition that stretches back over 150 years, creating another chapter in rugby’s story. So, can the All Blacks keep it in the Southern Hemisphere? Or will France reclaim the Shield, setting up a Six Nations for the ages? Either way, it’s going to be a classic. Follow the Raeburn Shield and be part of rugby history.