WRU investigation: Welsh Rugby Union chairman Ieuan Evans reacts to ‘distressing’ allegations of bullying and sexism within organisation | Rugby Union News

Chairman of the Welsh Rugby Union Ieuan Evans has described the allegations of bullying and sexism in the organization as “painful and distressing”, while Wales Shadow Secretary of State Jo Stevens said the WRU should answer questions before the Select Committee.

A BBC Wales investigation which aired on Monday night looked at allegations made by former WRU employees about their time with the organisation, including incidents of racism and homophobia.

Former General Manager of women’s rugby Charlotte Wathan claimed offensive comments by a colleague had left her in tears and feeling sick, while an anonymous contributor said she contemplated death as a result of her experiences of bullying and sexism.

“I think it all starts with the way it feels and the experience of those who watch the program on Monday, it’s very disturbing for everyone who cares about the game,” Evans told the media on Wednesday.

“I can only sincerely and sincerely apologize to everyone.

“As a father of two young women, I find it very difficult and I can only apologize to everyone affected by this.”

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Shadow Secretary of State for Wales Jo Stevens has called for an independent regulator to investigate the Welsh Rugby Union amid allegations of sexism.

Evans explained the plan to create a task force that will review the organization with the aim of developing “the right culture to ensure that it is a welcoming institution that truly believes it can be done”.

“It is early to get details and scope attached and we will do it but we will need external expertise and I am sure of it,” he said. “We need that. This cannot be an internal review, this must be external with the original expertise needed from other organizations.

“We don’t have a monopoly on discretion here. Other organizations, sports, entities, may have similar experiences.

“I don’t have all the answers here, I have to reach out to other people to help with the effort, it’s my responsibility as the chair that happens.

“It’s very early days and we haven’t got the scope of the details yet. We’ll be holding a council meeting soon to discuss a clear path forward and to reassure our stakeholders, the Welsh Government – we’ve heard the First Minister say this this morning in terms of expectations- going, we take this fun and exciting experience, but also ensure there is a result that we can be proud of.”

Evans was pressed on whether he believed it was time for chief executive Steve Phillips to step down in light of the allegations and the apparent need for change.

Phillips issued a statement promising a review of the organisation’s processes and procedures to ensure staff feel safe speaking out about issues that may make them uncomfortable, while ‘strongly condemning’ sexist, racist and homophobic behavior and accepting that the WRU has been “deficient in presenting rugby”. Welsh to the world in the best possible light”.

“We’re all ultimately responsible,” Evans said. “This is not about individuals now, this is about the collective. We will sort this out with a lot of external help. We all have a responsibility.

“I have a responsibility as chairman of the Welsh Rugby Union which has been an integral part of my life, to ensure the right culture and provide an outlet and happiness. country to fulfill that integral role.

“It doesn’t mean that we ignore some basic issues that we have to deal with and we have to make sure that they happen. But it’s not about individuals or about one person.

“It’s not just me [or] chief executive – this is about the shared responsibility we all have to ensure the culture, behind how difficult it was to watch the program that was broadcast on Monday and the subsequent articles.

“I find it devastating and I will not back down from a challenge.”

Asked again if he still believed in Phillips, he said: “I’m sure we’ll get this right.

“This includes Steve. He is the chief executive of the Welsh Rugby Union. We will get this right.”

Evans reiterated that the situation is “not about the individual, it’s about the collective” before stressing the need to “embrace the challenges together” while creating an environment that works for all.

“Rugby is a game that depends deeply on the culture on and off the field. We need to make this game welcoming, and the organization is as welcoming and inclusive as possible,” he added. “The WRU is a wonderful institution in Wales that relies on goodwill.

“You work hard to get that good, but good needs to be replenished, and people now want to give assurance. We will solve the problem, make changes and bring that trust and faith back.

“For every girl and boy who plays rugby, for every volunteer at the club, every stakeholder, the Welsh Government, our partners. We have to reassure everyone concerned.

Stevens: WRU must face public responsibilities

Welsh MP Stevens described the allegations as “absolutely appalling and appalling” while agreeing with the idea that WRU chief executive Phillips should be brought to the Welsh Affairs Select Committee for questioning, highlighting the importance of external input.

He referred to the WRU’s decision not to release self-commissioned reviews into the women’s game and proposed the introduction of an independent regulator.

“We can’t have the WRU signing their own homework, it hasn’t worked so far, there needs to be some independence, some sunshine on what they’ve done and are doing now,” Stevens told Sky Sports.

“What has the WRU said about the changes they’ve made to give them confidence? If they don’t say what they’ve done, it’s not going to increase confidence in the leadership of the organisation.

“I think there is a similar argument to be made to see whether we should have an independent regulator for sport in Wales, whether it’s just rugby or across the board.

“What we have seen is a pattern of years of problems with the governance of sports, whether professional or amateur.

“This is an important part of our national story and our soul and well-being, I want sports to be open and safe for everyone and include people not only playing the game, but also being part of the game.”

Stevens stressed the need for “significant change” and questioned the future of CEO Phillips.

“I think if you look at what I said about the leadership and the leadership team, Steve Phillips has been part of the leadership at the WRU for many years, he was the finance director and then the interim chief executive and now the permanent chief executive,” he said. she said. “If I were Steve Phillips I would look at this and think ‘Am I inspiring the confidence of the supporters, the rugby club, the players? Am I inspiring to lead the WRU out of this very difficult situation?’ and be honest about it.

“He can make that assessment for himself. If I were him I would think ‘am I the right person for this? I’m not sure’.

“We’ve seen the statement from the club, it’s a fantastic club from Cardiff, we’ve seen it from the supporter trust, everyone wants to get this done, everyone wants to get better, we want to be proud of every part of the rugby game in Wales.

“This may mean that there will have to be significant changes.”

It has been revealed that Amanda Blanc, the former chairman of the Professional Rugby Board, has warned the WRU of a “time bomb” on equality and diversity in her resignation speech in 2021.

Stevens expressed the need for greater representation of women at the top of Welsh rugby.

“If we get someone like Amanda Blanc, we have to be able to keep them and that doesn’t happen here, it really says a lot about the culture and the organization that’s going on at the WRU,” he said.

“Let’s have women’s voices at the top of the game. We have no shortage of talented, successful, skilled, experienced business women in Wales, let’s be the place.

“Let’s get a team leading the WRU who have got everything they need for a multi-million pound business, a flagship business and putting Wales on the global stage, we want to be proud.

“For that to happen, we need to have the right structure, the right people leading the organization and the right culture.

“I see this as a real opportunity for the WRU now to wipe the slate clean, put the right things in place and prepare, get it in the right place not only for 2023 but for the future.”