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Incoming Welsh Rugby Union chief executive Abi Tierney has vowed to \u201cturn this around\u201d after a damning independent review brought an apology from the governing body.<\/p>\n
Witnesses interviewed as part of Dame Anne Rafferty\u2019s nine-month review of the union reported feelings of powerlessness and fear, with the WRU described in the review\u2019s report as an organisation which was \u201cunsure on its feet\u201d.<\/p>\n
The review was launched on February 13 following a BBC programme aired in January which reported allegations of racism, sexism, misogyny and homophobia connected to the WRU.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you look at the recommendations (36 were made by the review panel), I remain hugely optimistic about Welsh rugby. We now have a process to do this,\u201d said Tierney, who takes up her post in January.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe don\u2019t have a choice. We\u2019ve got to turn this around. What is the alternative? We are all committed to that.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe will do this together. We will, because of the pain we are going through now and with gratitude to those who have spoken up and made us listen, become better.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe fact that we have a report like this from an independent source identifying any issues and problems that exist in our culture is a great opportunity for us to transform the way we work.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe can feel inspired that everything is out in the open. We can feel empowered that our people know they will be listened to and that we will act proportionately and appropriately to behaviour that is called out in the future.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe will only improve if we do this together, if we listen \u2013 and not only listen, but hear \u2013 and if we act appropriately in response. The review and its recommendations will help us do that, but we must also be fully invested in the idea that we all need to evolve, change and progress together.\u201d<\/p>\n
We don’t have a choice. We’ve got to turn this around. What is the alternative? We are all committed to that<\/p>\n
Successful businesswoman Amanda Blanc stepped down from the WRU board and as chair of the Professional Rugby Board in November 2021. Her resignation letter and speech was featured in the report.<\/p>\n
Blanc highlighted how saddened she was at the approach taken to the women\u2019s game in Wales. She described a review into the women\u2019s game as \u201cverging on insulting towards women\u201d.<\/p>\n
Tierney added: \u201cIt (Blanc\u2019s resignation comments) was the hardest part (of the review) as it was black and white that someone who wanted to contribute to Welsh rugby\u2019s success\u2026wasn\u2019t listened to.<\/p>\n
\u201cI will make sure it won\u2019t happen again under my leadership.\u201d<\/p>\n
The review\u2019s recommendations cover governance, complaints handling, the union\u2019s approach to inclusion and diversity and investment in the women\u2019s game.<\/p>\n
WRU chair Richard Collier-Keywood said: \u201cI want to start by saying again that on behalf of the whole WRU, we are truly sorry to those who have been impacted by the systems, structures and conduct described in the report which are simply not acceptable.<\/p>\n
Asked how he felt when he read the review, he continued: \u201cI felt awful. I felt sad.<\/p>\n
I want to start by saying again that on behalf of the whole WRU, we are truly sorry to those who have been impacted by the systems, structures and conduct described in the report which are simply not acceptable<\/p>\n
\u201cI felt there were missed opportunities to avert what had happened. But I also felt committed to making a change. I felt the changes were really sensible. I suppose I felt it\u2019s a good roadmap for us.<\/p>\n
Interim WRU chief executive Nigel Walker added: \u201cIt wasn\u2019t any easier reading this than watching the (BBC) programme in January.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve made progress in certain areas. At some stage, we will begin to throw forward and maybe look at this period as a watershed moment when the Welsh Rugby Union began to make the appropriate steps to be the governing body we want to be.<\/p>\n
\u201cI do believe we will look back and say that is the moment when we become a truly world-class body.\u201d<\/p>\n
On the women\u2019s game in Wales, Walker said: \u201cWe clearly made mistakes. We didn\u2019t recognise the importance of women\u2019s rugby, not just in this country but around the world.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was recruited later on, and a lot of my interviews were spent talking about the women\u2019s game, so clearly the penny had dropped.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was left in no doubt when I started that it would be a priority. Do we have a strategy? Well, it\u2019s there in part and we will commit to it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Among changes already made by the WRU after backing from its member clubs include addressing gender imbalance on the board, and an appointed independent chair, rather than one elected by the clubs.<\/p>\n
As for the WRU culture, its people director Lydia Stirling said: \u201cWe have been working really hard on the system and culture in place.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have been making it easier for staff to raise concerns and make them feel safe to talk openly. We\u2019ve put an awful lot in place since then.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe know there is more to do, but it doesn\u2019t take away some of the groundwork in place to create a culture where you feel safe, supported and trusted.\u201d<\/p>\n