RFU Launches Diversity And Inclusion Group Chaired By Ugo Monye
The RFU has launched a new Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Group, chaired by former England, Lions and Harlequins player, Ugo Monye, alongside vice-chair, ex-England player and current Wasps Ladies Director of Rugby, Giselle Mather.
The RFU says it has established the group to support its goal of ensuring the sport reflects the diversity in English society.
The group will provide insights to shape plans as well as challenge the RFU on its progress in delivering on its diversity and inclusion goals, and includes members such as Fearless Women CEO and Women’s Sport Trust Trustee, Sue Anstiss; former England Sevens player, England Women Sevens Head Coach and current RPA D&I advisor, James Bailey; Apple veteran and former executive sponsor for the brand’s D&I programme Black At Apple, Nigel Boatswain; London Scottish Board and Executive Committee member, Josh Brekenfeld; former England captain and Rugby World Cup winner Gill Burns; and player and Chairwoman, Richmond Women, Laura Kapo.
“The RFU has made diversity and inclusion a core priority with clear plans being worked on that should make a substantive difference to the game,” said Monye.
“It’s really important that we get this right so that anyone, from anywhere, feels rugby is a game for them. There is a wealth of experience in the advisory group and we’re all pleased to be able to contribute in driving an important agenda within the sport.”
Bill Sweeney, RFU CEO, added: “To be able to draw on the wealth of knowledge, experience and expertise in this group will be invaluable to us as we embark on plans to increase diversity in our sport and ensure it is open and inclusive to all. Consulting with others outside our organisation will provide us with different perspectives and help us to ensure that our plans are robust, meaningful, and result in tangible action.”
The RFU says it has undertaken new research to inform its actions to improve diversity and inclusion across the game, hitting four ‘key areas’ of; fans, followers and partners; gameplay; employees and board; and game leadership.
Within each of the areas, the RFU says it aims to better understand ‘where it is today compared to the wider population’, and will use ‘demographic, behavioural and attitudinal data and insight’ to establish what it wants to change and how it will achieve it.
The governing body says that its goals include, but aren’t limited to, growing fans and followers in under-represented groups to ‘40% female interest share, 6% ethnically diverse communities interest share, 37% lower socio-economic group interest share by 2025 (compared to 29%, 4% and 33% currently)’; increasing its base of female players from the current level of 40k to 60k, and of players from lower socio-economic groups from 153k to 170k by 2025.
It also aims to change its Board composition to be 15% from ethnically diverse communities by 2022 and 30% women/non-binary by 2022, with 50% of its Executive and Leadership Team and 50% of workforce to be from underrepresented groups by 2025 (currently 46% and 41% respectively).
The RFU says its priorities include raising awareness of diversity and inclusion issues, educating a wide range of stakeholders and delivering ‘critical interventions alongside refreshed policies and guidance’. The union says it will also monitor progress and adapt its plans based on outcomes and updated insight, with the priority areas of action being ethnicity, gender, socio-economic status, sexual orientation, and age.
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