Taking action will build up lost trust, says new WRU CEO

The Welsh Rugby Union needs to take action to help rebuild any trust lost after the WRU was found to have a culture of racism, sexism and homophobia.

This is what Abi Tierney, who is set to take over as CEO in January, thinks after an independent inquiry gave the WRU 36 recommendations to overcome a culture described as 'toxic'.

She says "being out there, hearing and listening and then being able to show after hearing what the concerns are, taking that on board and then delivering change. We have to make sure we act''.

The 133 page report released yesterday says that sexism was found in all levels of the WRU, from the clubs to the board members.

The governance was also found to not be fit for purpose to run the £100 million business.

The WRU board was called 'dysfunctional, ill-equipped and unable to address the serious institutional and culture problems it faced'.

Abi Tierney will become the first female CEO in the WRU's history after Steve Phillips resigned over serious allegations about the culture of the WRU revealed in a BBC documentary.

When asked if people should trust that the WRU will put in their 36 recommendations, she told us ''We've got to make sure we act. Say what you're doing to do and do it and that is what builds trust. But it does take hard graft when it's lost".

Talking about the first moments she read the scathing report, she said "I was really sad reading the report. Also, a lot of sorrow actually about what people have gone through and experienced".

Tierney says she believes that when the WRU make the necessary changes within the union, Welsh Rugby will lead the way for other sporting organisations to modernise.

"We've got to take this moment in time. It's a really valuable moment.

"I think we could leapfrog some other sporting organisations that are facing similar challenges if we chose to fully embrace these recommendations and really go at them".

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