KEVIN POTTS, THE IRFU CEO has apologises to players for failures in women's game
This comes after a report from the IRFU was released around the Irish women's team's failure to make it to the World Cup. The finding were released today
The report contains 30 recommendations and €1million guaranteed for the women’s game in the country.
The Union came under fire from the women's team during the year for the lack of investment and planning toward the women's game in Ireland.
A letter was sent by 62 current and former players to the Irish Government stating they had lost faith in the Union.
The IRFU were set to release the report all at once, but went back on that stance. The 30 recommendations is set to have been accepted by the players’ representatives
The recommendations cover improved preparation, facilities, video analysis, nutrition, training and coaching for women players.
The additional funds bring the annual budget to €4million.
The IRFU says it will invest an extra €1 million into women's rugby annually and appoint a dedicated 'Head of Women’s Performance & Pathways' following the recommendations made in an independent report.
Here are the recommendations, as well as the IRFU’s status update on each: pic.twitter.com/PK0uusyzqg— Murray Kinsella (@Murray_Kinsella) March 4, 2022
Gemma Crowley, a former British and Irish Lions team operations manager from Cork, has been appointed by the IRFU to a new role called the Women’s XV National Team Programme Manager.
Yesterday Anthony Eddy resigned from his post as Director of Women's Rugby. His role is being dissolved and is replaced with the title 'Head of Women’s Performance and Pathways Instead.
Kevin Potts, the IRFU Chief Executive said that Eddy leaving the role is not intertwined with the report released today.
He apologised to the players in a briefing today
"This was, first and foremost, about listening to the player group and understanding their concerns,"
"It was also important to ensure that the players had faith in the process and in our desire to work collaboratively. I have already had several meetings with representatives of the player group and have formally apologised to them on behalf of the IRFU."
The report will also not be published in full today and will only have excerpets available
Former Wales international Amanda Bennett and FairPlay Ltd made the decision not publish it all yet
Dublin , Ireland - 24 October 2020; Ciara Griffin of Ireland . (Photo By Brendan Moran/Sportsfile via Getty Images)The IRFU said:
"In December the IRFU made a commitment, in good faith, to publish this independent review in full.
"However, while the recommendations in Amanda Bennett’s thorough review are being published today, we are not in a position to publish the review in full.
"I appreciate that this may require further explanation. The confidential nature of participants’ contributions and commitments made by the panel to those who participated; players, coaches, volunteers, and staff, must be respected and I intend to do so.
"This decision is understood by the players’ representative group, Sport Ireland and by the Ministers."
Greg McWilliams has selected his 38-player Ireland squad for the upcoming TikTok Women’s Six Nations.
One notable abestee is Cliodhna Moloney,, who described Anthony Eddy of 'slurry spreading'
Potts was asked if Moloney's tweet was the reason for her omission and dismissed the claim
Absolutely guaranteed, that is not the case, it’s form.
"Greg McWilliams has selected his squad, he’s selected it on form. Any questions as to why players are in or out of the squad can be addressed by him in due course."
He added: "The announcement of these recommendations is just one milestone on a journey that has already commenced, with the work undertaken over the past number of months now beginning to yield visible results.
"As part of the entire process, we have listened directly to the player’s concerns, and we understand their desire to see changes implemented that will address the issues which contributed to the failure to qualify for the Rugby World Cup and to further develop the women’s game and lay strong foundations and pathways for success in the future. Indeed, we strongly share this desire."
Nine uncapped players have been called up to the squad.
Cliodhna Moloney has been left out
The IRFU have not given a reason for her omission.https://t.co/WS1KaFgLlq— The Irish Post (@theirishpost) March 4, 2022
The players’ representative group consisted of Wasps forward Moloney and recently retired stalwarts Ciara Griffin, Lindsay Peat and Claire Molloy.
In a statement, they said: "
We welcome the publication of a comprehensive set of recommendations today following the Rugby World Cup Qualifier Independent Review.
"This is in line with the request made by the players during the review process and we are pleased that the recommendations have been accepted in full by the IRFU.
"While they clearly highlight the many challenges surrounding the national 15s programme in Ireland, we believe that these recommendations and their implementation have the potential to make a significant and positive difference for women’s rugby in Ireland.
"As a group, we have been meeting regularly in recent months with the IRFU and Sport Ireland.
"Kevin Potts, Chief Executive of the IRFU, has taken a proactive and inclusive approach to these discussions and has taken considerable time to understand the issues and demonstrate his commitment to resolving them. This has been extremely welcome, and we want to thank him for his leadership.
"Today's announcement by the IRFU is a welcome first step on a journey towards a new era for Irish women's rugby, but it is a vitally important one.
"We are committed to further collaboration including ahead of the publication of another crucial review later this year which is looking at the overall game across the country.
"Together, the changes that emerge as a result of all of this work, alongside renewed commitment in women’s rugby right from the top of the IRFU, means we can look to the future with greater confidence than ever before."
IRFU chief Kevin Potts has formally apologised to Ireland's players for failures in the women's game.
More ⤵️ #bbcrugby— BBC SPORT NI (@BBCSPORTNI) March 4, 2022
Sport Ireland, meanwhile, also welcomed the review.
Chief executive Dr Una May said:
"Today's commitment by the IRFU to implement the recommendations of the independent review into Ireland’s World Cup qualification campaign in full, as well as providing additional funding to support their implementation, is a very positive step.
"The publication of the recommendations is a welcome and timely development for the Women’s game here in Ireland. Sport Ireland has had the opportunity to view the full report and is satisfied that this review process was both robust and thorough.
"The recommendations are a fair reflection of the feedback provided and are very comprehensive.
"Sport Ireland has had ongoing and constructive engagement with the player representative group since the end of 2021.
"Their support for the recommendations, the IRFU’s actions to date and proposed actions is a strong indicator that the path forward for Women’s Rugby is heading in the right direction. Sport Ireland remains available to both the IRFU and the players to support that journey."
Sport Ireland has today welcomed IRFU’s commitment to implementing the comprehensive recommendations of the independent review of Ireland’s Rugby World Cup 2021 campaign which were published today.https://t.co/AMINLUx1pD pic.twitter.com/YZm1rZ1wEH
— Sport Ireland (@sportireland) March 4, 2022
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