Welsh Rugby Union Plans New Women’s Rugby Leadership Role for 2025

The Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) intends to establish a new position, a women’s rugby lead, in 2025. The yet-to-be appointed coach of the Wales women’s team will report to this individual. The Wales women’s squad is scheduled to participate in the Six Nations and Rugby World Cup in 2025. This new role is being created following the departure of Nigel Walker, who served as the governing body’s executive director of rugby. Prior to Walker’s exit, Ioan Cunningham resigned from his position as Wales women head coach. The WRU described the “high profile role” by stating it “will directly manage the Wales women head coach as well as set and implement strategy for the women’s and girls’ game across Wales and form an integral part of the WRU’s high-performance team.” Walker stepped down after what the WRU characterized as a “meticulous and far-reaching review” into the high-performance element of the men’s game. Warren Gatland continues as head coach of the Wales men’s side, despite a record 12-Test losing run. Chief executive Abi Tierney, chair Richard Collier-Keywood, and Walker have overseen a turbulent period in the WRU’s history. In November, Welsh rugby’s governing body announced it would apologize for its handling of contract negotiations with the senior women’s team, admitting “serious failings.” Collier-Keywood stated that Walker, who was involved in the initial negotiations, had accepted “things should have been done better.” This dispute arose less than a year after a damning independent review into the WRU’s culture, following a BBC Wales investigation, found it was sexist, misogynistic, racist and homophobic, with those aspects not properly challenged. The WRU has now published its comprehensive report regarding its governance of the women’s game. As a result, the governing body also announced: changes to the way future negotiations are structured, aiming to maximize transparency and ensure all parties are properly represented. This includes the concept that players may need and require independent third-party involvement during negotiations and an acknowledgment that pathway players also need to be provided for in the future. A central principle is to be established where contracted players are treated as primary employees of the WRU, even when other club or employment contracts are also in place. Furthermore, the WRU plans to assess values and culture within the Women’s squad, reset professional working practices, and implement engagement work (‘Have a Voice’ sessions have already started) to support the mental and physical well-being of all colleagues. The organization will also continue to benchmark its progress against other governing bodies, rugby leadership, and performance management teams, and evolve based on learnings and best-in-class practices. Tierney commented: “This review has been hugely informative and its recommendations will significantly advance the women’s and girls’ game in Wales.” She added, “It is important and right to note that apologies have been made on behalf of the WRU for our role in protracted negotiations.” Tierney further stated, “By bringing matters to our attention in August, our players have been instrumental in helping us establish a new way of working together and they have brought about changes which will pay dividends to those that follow them long into the future.” She concluded, “The job is not complete, but we are confident that we are now in a good place and, with a new head coach due to be appointed in January, the Wales women’s national squad can look forward to the New Year with enthusiasm and optimism about what it may bring.” Tierney also remarked, “We have been humbled by this process, but we are not jaded by it. We are confident that a positive outcome has been achieved and are grateful to all those who have participated for their honesty and constructive input.”