, Minister for Culture,
Skills and Social Partnership: In November I provided
Members with a statement following allegations of sexism faced by
the women's national rugby team in their contract negotiations.
At that time, I had met with representatives of the Welsh Rugby
Union (WRU) at the earliest opportunity and expressed my
disappointment that Welsh rugby was in the headlines for the
wrong reasons again. The WRU had themselves commissioned a review
into the matter that would be published in due course.
I informed Members of my intention to further understand the
issue and the various perspectives around what had happened,
including an offer to meet directly with the players of the
women's national team. Ahead of the review being published, I met
with the authors of the review, Claire Donovan, a former player
with 75 caps for Wales, and Alison Thorne, a former board member
of Sport Wales and former chair of equality charity Chwarae Teg.
Both are independent members on the WRU Board. I also met a
representation of the players to better understand their views
and concerns.
The WRU published the review prior to Christmas, and the report
is available on its website.
The report outlines the WRU failed to deliver a well planned and
executed contract renewal process and failed to build into the
process effective listening and engagement with the players and
their representatives. It concludes “this was a process,
governance and leadership failing”. Turning to the allegations of
sexism, it concludes, “there was no evidence that it arose from
sex discrimination”. The report makes several recommendations for
the WRU to better engage and improve the management of the
women's national team and the women's game more generally in
Wales.
Since the report was published, I have met again with the senior
leadership of the WRU, chair Richard Collyer-Keywood and chief
executive Abi Tierney. I have also met Dame Anne Rafferty, the
author of the previous independent review into the culture of the
organisation undertaken last year. Dame Anne is chair of the
independent oversight panel that remains in place to oversee that
report's findings and recommendations. I also met again with a
representation of the players.
I believe the report provides a firm foundation now for the WRU
to move forward positively and seek improved relationships with
all involved, with the players themselves at the heart of that
ambition. I have impressed upon the WRU the need for the urgent
implementation of these recommendations if they are to persuade
those affected they are serious about improving the women's game,
and that lessons can be learned from this experience to rebuild
faith and confidence for those around them.
Members will note the changes that have already taken place with
the recent appointments of a new Head of Women's Rugby, Belinda
Moore, and a new Head Coach, Sean Lynn. I wish them both well in
their roles.
In my meetings with the WRU, I also expressed my view that their
approach to social partnership was not of a standard expected
from an organisation of their size and standing. I have offered
the Welsh Government's support in their current and future plans
to improve their process of engagement with the players.
Moving forward, we will continue to monitor progress and ensure
lessons have been learnt. We have also agreed that we will
continue regular dialogue, and my door will always be open to the
players.
This year, 2025, is a very significant and important year for
women's sport in Wales. The women's rugby team will quickly turn
their focus to the Six Nations in the spring, before embarking on
a tour of Australia, ahead of the Rugby World Cup held in England
over the summer. In football we have a historic first appearance
at a major tournament for Rhian Wilkinson and her Wales team at
Euro 2025 in Switzerland in July. At home, we also have AIG
Women's Open Golf Championship at Royal Porthcawl in the summer.
I wish all those taking part the best of luck, and I am sure
their successes will inspire the next generation of female
athletes to strive for success in their chosen sport.
