Cardiff director requested to depart WRU board and chief

All 4 areas have supported calls by Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) chief govt Steve Phillips and the Cardiff directorate to depart the board.

The message was additionally broadcast to Cardiff, Dragons, Ospreys and Scarlets, who’ve endorsed its content material.

Evans mentioned that the WRU is “not deaf” to the feedback and criticism “it has acquired.

He mentioned: “I thank Hayley for her constructive and heartfelt feedback and I can’t solely be writing again intimately however I intend to satisfy personally with many alternative stakeholders from exterior the WRU.

“As I made clear in statements yesterday, I will now lead the creation of a new external resource task force Who will review our culture, systems and structures.

“We want to reply to the general public scrutiny we’re at the moment experiencing, however it’s also the best factor to do. We are listening.”

The email follows allegations of sexism, racism and misogyny within the organisation, which have been exposed by a bbc wales investigation program this week.

Phillips has suffered Growing demand for resignation On handling of complaints by the Governing Body.

The 58-year-old has yet to apologize Says he’s still the best man to lead the WRU And haven’t considered your position.

Chairman Evans has endorsed him to remain in the role, though confirmed that an external task force will investigate the organization.

two girls complained of a poisonous traditionWhile another ex-employee used the word casteist in the work meeting.

Charlotte Wathan, the former head of Wales women’s rugby, said she contemplated suicide after a male colleague joked in front of others in an office that he wanted to “rape” her.

The WRU says the allegations were independently investigated and are baseless and that it could not comment further due to a legal settlement.

Parsons’ argument

Parsons became the first woman to serve on Cardiff’s board when she was appointed a non-executive director in 2019.

In the e-mail to Evans, she describes herself as a “enterprise skilled and entrepreneur who arrange a multi-million pound enterprise that is still in Wales”.

The founder of price comparison website GoCompare, she sold her stake in the company for around £44m.

Their correspondence urged Evans to “take quick and decisive motion to deal with the problems raised within the programme, but additionally towards a background of” a long-standing and deeply entrenched culture of toxicity and bullying within the WRU.

Parsons wrote, “In my function at Cardiff Rugby, I’ve consistently been witness to the decline of inefficiency in Welsh rugby union and have needed to take care of it.”

“I consider the board, in its present place, doesn’t have the experience and expertise to run the WRU, which is basically a £100 million firm.

“As a group of individuals, they are not fit for purpose, and the future of Welsh rugby requires people with the ability and experience to turn this urgent and serious situation around.

“Several people have told me firsthand about a culture of intimidation and manipulation within the WRU.”

In his response, WRU President Evans said: “We must re-examine, re-evaluate, act decisively where we are doing wrong, and move on.

“We will do this together, we take responsibility together. We will also seek outside influence and consultation, along with the choice of our independent board of directors, as Healey suggested.

“I’m already on public record, in a letter I wrote to member clubs for the new year My ambitions to develop the WRU’s governance structure With the clubs and we will urgently address this challenge with renewed vigour.

“We’ll use the pressure we’re under now, the pressure we’ve put on ourselves, to get better, to improve. I’m not going to back down from this task.”

It has since emerged that Amanda Blank, who chairs the professional board of Welsh rugby between 2019 and 2021, Warned the WRU It had a problem long before the sexism claims surfaced.

Ms. Blank, now chief executive of Aviva Insurance Company, told WRU It said there were “deep-rooted” culture and behavioral problems, a federally-commissioned review into women’s sport was “an insult to women” and warned of an equality and diversity “ticking timebomb”.

“How many more experienced, professional and good people need to leave before Welsh rugby takes action and says enough is enough?” asked Parsons.

“I am pleading with you to make the right decisions for the WRU, as a business and for rugby as our national sport.

“You are surrounded by amazing business professionals who already invest their time and energy into Welsh rugby.

“We need a clear overarching business strategy to work across Welsh rugby and its regions.

“This week’s crisis is not new, it has just brought to the fore the underlying issues we have experienced over the years.”

‘major’ union

Parsons criticizes what she says is the union’s financial grip on the regions No new long-term financial deal has yet been agreed,

“As regions, we have been in crisis for so long, our only strategy at present is survival. To remain in the hope that the WRU’s governance is changed soon so that we can make it next season.

“This cannot continue – we all deserve better, as do our players, staff and fans.

“As regional clubs we hold back on many issues, afraid to go against the union.

“Yet, despite allegation after allegation, mistake after mistake, dismissal after dismissal, statement after statement, denial after denial, the WRU has little to do with the modern governance structure or to effect positive change and nurture rugby.” Not having a proper strategic business plan. Never mind at the regional level, national level.

“The WRU’s dedicated and hardworking staff, most of whom are a credit to the game and work tirelessly to champion it, are being blamed for the WRU’s continued failure to accept responsibility for tackling the toxic and oppressive culture at board level.” Union.

“The treatment of its employees, regional clubs and dominance and absolute control over the game must now change.

“The only way to resolve these issues is to appoint a new board composed of people who know how to properly run a union and a business, with a well-thought-out, well-executed business strategy and tight and clear governance Be.”

Parsons acknowledged that Evans has been seeking to reform governance since taking office in November 2022.

The WRU said it is calling an extraordinary general meeting (EGM) of clubs in early 2023 to try to modernize the organisation, although no date has been announced.

“We must restore confidence in the leadership of our sport, and I am sure we, as all sectors, will commit to supporting you in making those changes,” mentioned Parsons.

“Please don’t underestimate our mixed dedication, desperation, disappointment, disgrace and despair over what is occurring on the WRU.

“Unless the current CEO and WRU Board are sacked or resign to safeguard the future of Welsh rugby, we will not take action to make changes.

“The WRU wants to wash up its act, hearken to its employees, gamers, followers and work with the areas to drive optimistic change for the long run.”

membership strain

In a joint statement, all 12 Welsh Premier Division clubs said they were “shocked and appalled” by the allegations.

He added: “It is the most important golf equipment’ expectation that swift and decisive motion can be taken to deal with these extraordinarily severe and damaging allegations, which can put an finish to this appalling alleged conduct and safe an accessible and cozy future for all inside Welsh rugby.” will provide.”

Llantwit Fardre RFC have additionally despatched a letter expressing disbelief in chief govt Phillips, whereas different golf equipment have expressed issues.