Kristian Dacey, an out-of-contract Cardiff player, is among a group of players facing uncertain futures following major cost-cutting measures in Welsh rugby. Dacey is one of the few players in Welsh rugby who has been around to see all the political machinations that have taken place over the past 15 years.
However, he feels that the current situation is different in terms of scale and seriousness. The playing budget for Cardiff is being reduced from the current figure of £7.2m to £5.2m for next season, and this has resulted in some out-of-contract players receiving drastically reduced offers.
All four regions are facing belt-tightening, which will see squad numbers reduced from 46 to about 38.
Dacey hopes to stay at the Arms Park, but he is unsure whether the money will be available to offer him a new deal. With his children in Welsh-medium education in the Merthyr area, moving to another country raises significant issues. So, at present, he doesn’t know whether he will have a job in rugby after May, and his focus may switch more fully to the painting and decorating business he has set up.
Dacey feels fortunate to have had his career in the game but sympathises with younger players who could soon find themselves out of work. He says some of his fellow pros are struggling mentally. Dacey understands the financial situation of rugby at the moment but feels that some of the contracts offer that have been thrown around for some of the most talented players are unacceptable.
The situation has left many players feeling frustrated, disappointed, and angry.
As players, they understand that budgets need to come down, but Dacey believes that it should have been phased and not cut so dramatically as it has. The players are wondering how it has happened given the success of Wales over the last ten years. They feel that financially, Welsh rugby should be one of the strongest, but going through the accounts, it’s just not there.
Dacey hopes that some sense will prevail, and the powers-that-be will sort out the situation sooner rather than later. In terms of his future, Dacey admits that he doesn’t know where he will be playing his rugby next season.
»Kristian Dacey is among a group of players facing uncertain futures«
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