A review has been launched after reports of a sexist culture at a Coventry rugby club.
It has been reported 27 women left Coventry Welsh RFC amid claims the club failed to deal with allegations of assault, harassment and a general culture of sexism, reports national outlet The Telegraph.
According to this report a 19-year-old player for the women’s team was punched in the face during an event by a male member of the club. Other claims include a male club member sexually harassing a female player, as well as body shaming and inappropriate language.
The case is facing a formal independent review to assess how the club handled the complaints.
Coventry Welsh has also shared a statement welcoming the review while expressing its disappointment in how the club has been portrayed in the Telegraph piece.
It added several reviews and investigations had already been carried out in to the allegeations which, it said, stemmed from a small number of former members.
An RFU spokesperson told CoventryLive: “We recognise that the situation at Coventry Welsh has been distressing for those involved, and we fully understand the impact this has had.
“It is important to be clear about the RFU’s role. Clubs are responsible for managing their own membership and handling complaints in line with RFU policy, and the police are the appropriate authority for investigating any allegations of a potentially criminal nature.
“Where concerns are raised with us, our role is to assess whether a club’s actions or processes meet the standards expected of the game. In this case, we have decided to commission an independent review to examine how the club handled the complaints and whether the correct procedures were followed. That work is now underway.
“We are committed to ensuring that rugby is safe, respectful and inclusive, and we will take any necessary action based on the findings of that review.”
We have approached Coventry Welsh about the claims. The club has not responded but have since shared a lengthy statement on it social media channels.
It states: “Coventry Welsh RFC is a community rugby club that is proud to provide opportunities for Men, Women, Colts, and Walking Rugby. We are an inclusive, welcoming club built on respect, equality and community, and we are deeply disappointed by the way our club has been portrayed in the recent Daily Telegraph article.
“While we recognise that not everyone will agree with every decision a club makes, it is important to provide some factual context that was not reflected in the article.
“The matters referred to relate to complaints raised by a small number of former members. These complaints have been taken seriously from the outset and have never been ignored or dismissed. Where incidents were reported, they were referred through the club’s disciplinary procedures and dealt with in accordance with our constitution and the processes available to us.
“The article does not acknowledge that these matters have already been subject to extensive scrutiny. To date there have been five separate reviews, including an internal club review, a formal police investigation, an independent review by Warwickshire Rugby Union, a further meeting involving Warwickshire Rugby Union, representatives of those involved and the club and additional review processes aimed at resolving the matter.”
It adds: “The RFU has now confirmed that a further independent King’s Counsel (KC) review will be undertaken, the sixth since the incidents happened. Coventry Welsh RFC welcomes this independent process and will continue to cooperate fully.”
The full statement can be read on the Coventry Welsh Facebook page.
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