Welsh international Richard Hibbard has opened up on the brutal reality he continues to face as CEO of Wales Rugby League, one year on from landing the major role. The 41-year-old won 38 caps for Wales, toured with the British & Irish Lions and represented the Ospreys, Dragons and Gloucester in union, but previously played the other code for Aberavon Fighting Irish and also earned a cap for Wales Dragonhearts. He was appointed as chief executive of the independent body last April, with the role seeing him create partnerships to support the development of rugby league in Wales at all levels, from grassroots up to the senior international sides. In his first 12 months in the job, Hibbard says the body has been subject to a "quiet revolution" and is now ready to "push on" with "a new sense of stability and direction" after a board reshuffle. However, he admits the game is up against a "financial mountain" on a daily basis, with Wales Rugby League having central funding of less than £50,000 a year to work with. Addressing rugby league fans in a candid update, the former hooker wrote: "What people may not know, is that almost everyone involved in Wales Rugby League – from the chair, to myself as CEO, to the board, coaches, team managers and beyond – gives their time as volunteers. "No salaries. No perks. Just passion. It’s the heartbeat of everything we do. That in itself is an incredible testament to the selfless, brilliant people who keep the wheels turning at WRL. "I’ll reflect on some of the achievements in the last year, but I think it’s important to set the context and be crystal clear – we’re doing what we do with just £45,384 of central funding a year. That’s not a typo. That’s the reality. "Just £7,239 of that can be spent on performance. We must constantly consider whether we can afford to put our teams on the pitch. That should never be a question. But it is. And we face it head on. And despite the financial mountain we climb daily, we are not just surviving – we are thriving." Pointing to notable successes, Hibbard highlighted the Welsh women's team and wheelchair team both qualifying for their respective World Cups. That is despite the former's qualification win over the Netherlands costing the governing body £12,000, nearly double their annual talent funding. The former Wales international also pointed to growing grassroots participation, a more competitive league structure for community sides and 40 young Welsh players on Super League scholarships and in academies as further signs of success against the odds. "Every day, we fight for fairness," he added. "Rugby league is a sport built on overcoming adversity, and our spirit is no different. It’s hard. But most things worth doing are. "When people talk about rugby league in Wales, they talk about the history. Rightly so. From being part of our first ever international in 1908; to the trailblazing codebreakers; to the unforgettable class of 1995 with icons like Scott Quinnell and Jonathan Davies storming to a World Cup semi-final, this country has always punched above its weight. "But this isn’t just a sport with a proud history," Hibbard continued. "It has a present worth shouting about, and a future to believe in. We’ll celebrate all three at an event this Autumn, details of which will be announced soon. "This summer, pitches across Wales will come alive with men, women, and children playing rugby league – a fast, fearless, action-packed sport you simply can’t take your eyes off. The revolution is getting louder all the time."