Dawn Bowden MS, 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.