Hopes for a better future for the women’s elite squad
Steve Phillips, CEO of Wales Rugby, has resigned after women in high positions in the WRU made serious accusations of sexual harassment and disparagement by men they were working alongside.
Sadly the news comes as little surprise.
There has been dissension and criticism everywhere you looked across the world of Welsh rugby.
The WRU had acquired an unwelcome reputation for incompetence and neglect over the decades.
They had a numbing effect on the women’s sector of the game. But these latest accusations were on another level entirely.
Phillips, who had reacted to initial criticism by saying he was the best man to put things right, is replaced on an interim basis by Nigel Walker, the former international winger and Olympic athlete. His previous role was Director of Performance.
The WRU statement did make clear: ‘No allegations were made against Steve Phillips … and he was not accused of any wrong doing.’
Walker has used the phrase ‘an existential crisis’ to describe the current situation.
It is unwise to pass judgement from beyond a nation’s borders, but suffice it to say that Walker was instrumental in introducing contracts for the Wales women’s squad and giving the women’s and girls’ game a significant boost. He will work closely with a new Taskforce that has been established.
It was Ieuan Evans, Chair of the WRU board, who selected Walker to take over; he had been greatly disturbed by events. He, like Walker, is a renowned ex-rugby test player and winger, both for Wales and the British and Irish Lions.
A far-reaching independent review has been set in motion. Since it will take time to publish its findings, it’s hard to tell when a permanent replacement for Phillips can be appointed, but easy to imagine female players hoping to have Walker restored to post. He has had a very positive, pro- active involvement.
Serious Accusations
The accusations levelled at the WRU board could hardly have been more concerning.
Some unsavoury details can be read in an article (www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-64333230) by Wyre Davies, of BBC Wales investigates.
The number of claims of improper behaviour of men in high office towards women snowballed fast.
The Wales Women’s Squad
Within the world of the Wales women’s elite squad matters had come to a critical point much earlier.
To them it seemed they were being neglected, especially when comparing their lot with other members of the Six Nations. They had been instructed to cross the Severn Bridge to play for Premier 15s clubs in England; they would not be considered for international matches unless they did so. They are still there.
This led to a serious weakening of native clubs, some of which closed their doors.
Back in March 2021 the case of Alisha Butchers hit national headlines. She found herself without any sort of insurance cover from her club, Bristol Bears, or the WRU after suffering a serious ankle injury.
She had to resort to crowdfunding. One response from other players ran along the lines: ‘You ain’t heard nothing yet!’
In other words, this neglect was well known to them; there were plenty of similar complaints they could make. But in some parts of the world speaking your mind can bring a premature end to your international career.
Summary
This news marks a turn in events, not a conclusion. The allegations are serious enough in themselves.
We have only to look at the eminent positions held by some of the leading actors in this case to realise how damaging and unforgiveable their alleged treatment was. Amanda Blanc is chief executive of Aviva insurance company.
Charlotte Wathan, who resigned in February last year, has held posts at universities and served on the WRU board. She was appointed in 2018 as Wales National Female Engagement Manager to take women and girls’ community rugby to the next level.
All this is to ignore the convulsions the men’s game is suffering in Wales at the same moment.
We can only hope that the review and the Taskforce will bring matters to a speedy and positive conclusion.
