, Deputy Minister for Arts,
Sport and Tourism: In January I wrote to members
outlining the Welsh Government’s response to the BBC Investigates
programme into misogyny and discrimination in the Welsh Rugby
Union.
Yesterday, the Independent Review Panel published its report on
the allegations of sexism, misogyny, homophobia and racism, and
the organisational culture and behaviours in the WRU. A
copy of the report can be found here: INDEPENDENT REVIEW OF THE WELSH
RUGBY UNION
The Welsh Government welcomes the publication of this report and
the work of all those who contributed to the findings and
recommendations. The report should serve as a watershed
moment that brings change for the whole of Welsh rugby.
We will now consider the report in full and meet with the WRU to
discuss the recommendations and its wider plans. It is reassuring
that the WRU has accepted, without exception, all of the
recommendations of the review panel, with significant progress
already made in some areas.
The WRU must now focus on the task of restoring trust with all
those interested in the game, including victims of unacceptable
behaviour who have bravely spoken out.
Like all sporting bodies in Wales, we expect the WRU to provide
safe environments for staff, players and children and young
people who participate in the game at all levels. Our ambition
for the WRU is for this work to act as a catalyst that sees the
organisation become a leader and exemplar for fair treatment
across all nations and all sport.
