Welsh Rugby Union Backs Military With Covenant Pledge 2026

Key Points

• Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) signed up to the Armed Forces Covenant, becoming one of the 700-plus Welsh employers showing support for Armed Forces community.
• Terry Cobner, President of WRU, and Abi Tierney, its CEO, signed the covenant alongside Brigadier Mark Davis CBE, who is Commander of 160th (Welsh) Brigade.
• The ceremony took place at Cardiff Castle and involved the Regimental Band and Corps of Drums of The 3rd Battalion The Royal Welsh.
• According to the Covenant, the WRU committed itself to treating current and former personnel of the military with respect and without any discrimination and guaranteeing them no disadvantage in accessing services.
• The commitment included Armed Forces Friendly Employer, veterans and leavers of UK services, their spouses and partners, reservists, cadets, Armed Forces Day, discounts, armed forces charities, and additional leave for reservists.
• WRU delegation became the honoured guest of the 21 Gun Royal Salute for Accession Day dedicated to the anniversary of King Charles III’s accession to the throne.
• Terry Cobner mentioned that Welsh rugby had a history of association with the 3rd Battalion The Royal Welsh, with Lance Corporal Shenkin, the Regimental Goat, being an official mascot at Principality Stadium match days.

Wales (Wales Times) September 11, 2026 — The Welsh Rugby Union has formally signed the Armed Forces Covenant, committing the national governing body to support members of the UK Armed Forces community and their families. The move places the WRU among a network of more than 700 Welsh employers who have pledged to uphold the principles of the covenant, which seeks to ensure that service personnel, veterans and their families are treated with fairness and respect in the communities, economy and society they serve.

What Is the Armed Forces Covenant and Why Does It Matter?

The Armed Forces Covenant is a national pledge that acknowledges the contribution made by those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces, and their families, and commits signatories to ensure they face no disadvantage compared to other citizens in the provision of public and commercial services. In some circumstances, the covenant recognises that special treatment may be appropriate, especially for the injured or bereaved.

As reported by Forces News, the covenant is a pledge for those who sign it to acknowledge that former and service personnel and their families “should be treated with fairness and respect in the communities, economy and society they serve with their lives”. The WRU’s commitment is recorded on the UK government’s Armed Forces Covenant business register, where the organisation is listed as “The Welsh Rugby Union Limited” and categorised under recreation and leisure.

Who Signed the Covenant for the WRU and the Army in Wales?

The covenant was signed on behalf of the WRU by President Terry Cobner and Chief Executive Officer Abi Tierney. They signed alongside Brigadier Mark Davis CBE, Commander of 160th (Welsh) Brigade and Head of the Army in Wales. The signing ceremony was held at Cardiff Castle, with the Regimental Band and Corps of Drums of The 3rd Battalion The Royal Welsh in attendance.

Also present were Lance Corporal Shenkin, the Regimental Goat of the 3rd Battalion The Royal Welsh, and the Goat Major, Sergeant Mark Jackson. WRU representatives were honoured guests at a 21 Gun Royal Salute to celebrate Accession Day, the anniversary of His Majesty King Charles III’s accession to the throne.

What Commitments Has the WRU Made Under the Covenant?

According to the WRU’s entry on the government’s Armed Forces Covenant register, the organisation has pledged to uphold the key principles of the covenant in its business dealings. These include ensuring that no member of the Armed Forces Community should face disadvantage in the provision of public and commercial services compared to any other citizen, and that in some circumstances special treatment may be appropriate, especially for the injured or bereaved.

The WRU has also committed to a series of specific pledges, including: being Armed Forces Friendly; supporting UK service veterans and leavers; supporting UK service spouses and partners; offering flexible leave for spouses; supporting UK reservists; supporting UK cadets; participating in Armed Forces Day and Reserve Forces Day; offering discounts; supporting armed forces charities; and providing additional leave for reservists. The WRU has stated it will publicise these commitments through its literature and/or on its website, setting out how it will seek to honour them and inviting feedback from the service community and its customers on how it is doing.

What Did WRU President Terry Cobner Say About the Pledge?

As reported by Forces News, Terry Cobner said:

“We are proud to support the Armed Forces community in this way.” He added:

“Welsh rugby has a long and positive association with the 3rd Battalion The Royal Welsh in particular, with Shenkin the Regimental Goat an important fixture as our official mascot on match days at the Principality Stadium and the Regimental Band also a regular feature.”

Cobner concluded:

“Those who serve or have served in the UK Armed Forces and their families are always welcome in Welsh rugby.”

How Does the WRU’s Covenant Fit Into Wider Welsh Employer Support?

The WRU has joined a network of more than 700 Welsh employers who have pledged support to the Armed Forces community. Other recent signatories and re-signatories in Wales include Hywel Dda University Health Board, which re-signed the covenant in early September 2026, and a range of businesses and organisations across the UK that have signed or renewed their commitments in 2026. The WRU’s entry on the government register was published on 17 August 2026, with the covenant dated 25 June 2026.

Background: How Did This Development Come About?

The Armed Forces Covenant was first introduced as a formal commitment in 2011, building on a long-standing understanding between the nation and those who serve. It is described by the UK government as “an enduring covenant between the people of the United Kingdom, His Majesty’s Government and all those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces of the Crown and their families”. Organisations that sign the covenant are expected to demonstrate their commitment through concrete actions, such as hiring policies, support for reservists, and participation in national events like Armed Forces Day.

The WRU’s decision to sign follows a period of organisational change and scrutiny, including a legal agreement with the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) in 2026 after monitoring a series of workplace improvements. The covenant signing at Cardiff Castle, with military bands and ceremonial elements, underscores the WRU’s desire to formalise its relationship with the Armed Forces community and to align itself with a broad coalition of Welsh employers.

Prediction: How Might This Affect the Armed Forces Community and Welsh Rugby Fans?

For members of the Armed Forces community in Wales, the WRU’s covenant commitment could translate into more visible support at matches, targeted discounts, and greater recognition of the needs of reservists, veterans and military families. The pledge to be “Armed Forces Friendly” and to support veterans, spouses and reservists may lead to tailored initiatives at the Principality Stadium and within WRU-administered programmes.

For Welsh rugby fans, the development is likely to reinforce the existing cultural links between the sport and the military, exemplified by the presence of Lance Corporal Shenkin as match-day mascot and the Regimental Band at major fixtures. If the WRU follows through on its commitment to publicise and review its covenant actions, supporters may see more information on the WRU website about how the organisation is supporting the Armed Forces community, and opportunities to provide feedback on those efforts. In the longer term, the covenant could help shape recruitment, community outreach and charitable partnerships, embedding support for service personnel and their families more deeply into the fabric of Welsh rugby.