WRU’s ‘toxic’ culture of discrimination lambasted by independent panel
An independent review of the Welsh Rugby Union has delivered adamning verdict on a “toxic” culture of bullying and discrimination, allied to widespread political infighting and general incompetence in the organisation.
A BBC Wales programme in January prompted an outcry after a number of former employees alleged sexism and discrimination experienced while working for the WRU.
Incompetent governance, a lack of focus on and commitment to building the women’s game, internal politics, and a culture of bullying and misogyny are all described in the report. “We asked the WRU to confirm that the factual content of our report is accurate, and they did,” it says.
Having been appointed in February the review panel of three – chair Dame Anne Rafferty, Quentin Smith and Maggie Alphonsi – have made around 36 recommendations.
These include the appointment of an oversight body, continued reform of the board, and increasing investment in the women’s game.
An unnamed former director of the WRU is quoted in the report as saying: “The board was both frightened of what they had to do and unaware of what they had to do: If I ask the right question, I don’t know what to do with the answer. So it’s much better not to ask the question.”
The report describes an overall failure of governance at the WRU, saying the board lacked “the appropriate skills to run a £100m business” and that it “was an organisation unsure on its feet, allowing problems to develop and with a tendency to manage the problem rather than the underlying issue.”
The report says: “The work environment had elements of bullying and discrimination and was experienced as toxic by some employees.”
Abi Tierney, the incoming WRU Group CEO, said: “The Independent Review’s report is incredibly humbling and describes issues, actions and attitudes that are hugely regrettable. They should not exist in our, nor any, workplace … We will implement all of the recommendations the Independent Review panel has made.”
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Richard Collier-Keywood, the new WRU chair, said: “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 … We have to do better and we will.”