Jack Sargeant, 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.