By Sam Ryan

The Welsh Rugby Union has released impressive financial and performance figures, following a record investment in grassroots rugby.

After announcing a £38.1m (A$62.5m) surplus in their annual report, the WRU confirmed it has reinvested £33.1m (A$54.3m) back into the game, with £9.5m (A$15.6m) given to the grassroots level of the sport.

Of the £9.5m (A$15.6m), £7.9m (A$12.97m) was spent directly on grassroots rugby, with a further £1.6m (A$2.6m) given to semi-professional clubs.

“Our clubs, the community game and all the players, coaches and other volunteers at that level are the lifeblood of our national sport,” WRU chief executive Martyn Phillips said.

“We are proud to be able to say that all the Group’s revenues have been re-invested back into the game and that investment is at record levels in each of the Regional, Premiership and Community game, as well as on an overall basis.

“This is pleasing as the percentage growth in the re-investment in rugby is broadly tracking the percentage growth in revenues.

The WRU spent 12.96% of its total revenue on grassroots rugby.

In comparison, the ARU spent just 2.68% on grassroots rugby, $2.3m in 2015.

England spends 15% of its revenue on grassroots, Ireland and New Zealand spend 13%, Scotland 7% and the NRL and AFL spend more than 8% and 9% respectively.

Incredibly, the investment in Australia grassroots rugby could further decrease in the years to come as the ARU attempts to cut costs.

This year, the governing body failed to secure a naming rights sponsor for the England Test series or the Rugby Championship and currently doesn’t have a naming rights sponsor for next year’s Super Rugby season.

Despite that, the ARU still spent $17.56m on corporate expenses last year, almost 20% of their overall revenue.

The flush WRU spent £7.9m (A$12.97m) on wages and salaries, just over 10% of revenue and almost half of their Australian counterparts.