Steve Phillips has resigned as the manager govt officer of the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) amid allegations of a poisonous tradition on the organisation.
Phillips had resisted requires his resignation, which got here after a BBC documentary aired allegations of misogyny, sexism, racism and homophobia on the governing frame for rugby union in Wales.
Nigel Walker has moved up from the union’s efficiency director to take the performing CEO place with speedy impact. Walker, a former Wales wing and Olympic hurdler, has warned of an “existential crisis” for Welsh rugby.
Various former WRU workers took section within the investigation through BBC Wales – which used to be screened on Monday evening – with allegations about their time on the organisation.
Charlotte Wathan, the overall supervisor of girls’s rugby till her resignation ultimate February, spoke of the way a male colleague mentioned in entrance of others in an place of job that he sought after to “rape” her. Another nameless contributor mentioned she had pondered finishing her lifestyles after her stories of bullying and sexism at paintings.
The WRU chair, Ieuan Evans, has vowed that an exterior taskforce will probably be established to lend a hand take on the allegations which have been made. The former Wales wing, who took over from Rob Butcher in November 2022, mentioned: “For the moment I need to lead this governance change and work hand in hand with Nigel Walker.
“We have already started the process with the Welsh Government and Sport Wales in establishing an independent task force,” Evans added. “It’s now for me as chair of the board and chair of the WRU to go out to the clubs and drive those changes. One[change] is to find an independent chair, my true belief is that this organization needs that.”
On Friday, the Welsh Rugby Players Association sent an open letter to Evans demanding “the WRU and its leadership truly takes responsibility for living up to the inclusive values that rugby claims to pride itself on”.
Phillips attended the meeting about the new task force, but had since decided to step down. In an official WRU statement, he added: “It is with a huge amount of regret that I have decided to hand in my resignation.”
“I have always had the best interests of Welsh rugby at the heart of my every action and thought, but have come to the conclusion that it is now time for someone else to lead the way,” added Phillips.
“I am absolutely aligned with Ieuan’s commitment to re-examine and further improve the cultures and behaviors at the WRU, and fully support the formation of a new independent task force. I am pleased I have been able to start this process.
“I wish Nigel Walker well and thank all of the dedicated staff at the WRU, who can be extremely proud of the efforts and hard work they put in on a daily basis to the betterment of our game. I am on record already saying how much I hugely regret the feelings and emotions expressed recently by former members of staff.”
Walker, who used to be appointed efficiency director of the WRU in 2021, mentioned: “This has been a wake-up call. Perhaps it is a call that has been overdue. The first step to any recovery is admitting the problem … there is no doubt that Welsh rugby is facing an existential crisis.
“We must now listen intently to what people from outside our organization are telling us,” the 59-year-old added. “We care and are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and we work hard in this space with dedicated resources and investment. But we need to do better. We need to do much better and we will.”
Plaid Cymru’s sports, culture and international spokesperson, Heledd Fychan, said: “Steve Phillips’ position was untenable, and I welcome today’s news that he has stepped aside. It is the right action to take after the abject failure of the WRU to date to deal with very serious allegations of misogyny and sexism that were seemingly known to him and others.”
“Nigel Walker’s appointment as acting CEO must signal the beginning and not the end of the significant structural and cultural changes needed at the WRU,” Fychan added. “The Welsh Government will have to now imagine if it is suitable for the WRU to obtain any longer public cash till those adjustments are made.”