The newly appointed First Minister joined WRU CEO Abi Tierney pitchside as they watched school groups from ethnically diverse communities take to the field, engaging in a range of rugby-based games and activities.
The annual Inclusion Day which sits within the community Road to Principality rugby festival, is a true celebration of the WRU’s mantra, ‘jersey for all’, working in unison with communities and social groups from across
Wales that ordinarily have a limited opportunity to access rugby.
Leading today’s event was the WRU’s newly appointed Head of EDI, Liam Scott who’s responsible for building on the Union’s equality, diversity and inclusion policy, both within the workplace and at grassroots level of the game.
“Long term we want to be able to give everybody the opportunity to engage in the national sport in Wales.” says Liam.
“For us as an organisation we need to be reflective of our society in Wales, the changing dynamics of society in Wales and we’ve got to adapt to that. To be able to play a part in this change, even a small part, is a privilege.”
More than 400 children from a number of ethnically diverse and Assisted Learning Needs schools participated in on field games. This was followed by military veterans hub group games, a mixed ability fixture, Port Talbot Panthers v Colwyn Bay Stingrays and an International Gay Rugby clash between Cardiff Lions and Wrecsam Rhinos, to round off the day at the home of Welsh rugby.
Alongside the on field activity the WRU hosted its first We Soda Inclusion Day Networking event with panel discussions from the likes of Disability Sport Wales and Action for Children and a Q&A with award-winning Be Xcellence magazine.
With almost 20 years embedded within community rugby, five years as a regional rugby coordinator, and two years as regional manager at the Ospreys before becoming Head of Regions and Rugby Inclusion in 2022, Liam is clear on his objectives, “We pride ourselves on being a game for all, we pride ourselves on being the emotive national sport but actually we’ve got communities and pockets that don’t engage in the game.
“We’ve got communities right across the river from here (Principality Stadium) who’ve never even stepped foot in the stadium. Part of the role of creating a rugby for all approach, and being Head of EDI is ensuring that we can remove those barriers, open the doors and make rugby accessible to everyone.
“If we want everyone engaged in the game, we’ve got to remove the barriers for them to do it; whether that’s providing a pair of boots, helping with travelling to get there or just creating a positive, welcoming environment. Its our duty to ensure we get there.”
Road to Principality 2024 continues throughout the week and into April culminating in a special day on women’s rugby at the stadium on Saturday 27th April when Wales Women’s side face Italy in the Guinness Women’s Six Nations 2024 swiftly followed by the spectacular community games, the women’s bowl, plate and cup finals to round off the biggest celebration of women’s rugby in Wales ever witnessed.
Get your tickets and save the dates
Principality Stadium welcomes all rugby supporters and young rugby fans to come and soak up the fantastic atmosphere. Rugby fans can purchase tickets to the following events:
Saturday 6th April, WRU Men’s Division 5-2 Cup Finals
Sunday 7th April, WRU Men’s Division 1, Championship & Premiership Cup Finals.
Priced at £10 per Adult ticket and £5 for Under 17’s. Tickets are expected to go on sale 12pm Monday 25th March and will be available online at wru.wales/tickets or available to purchase on the day from the WRU Ticket Office on Westgate Street.
Tickets to the Guinness Women’s Six Nations Wales v Italy match are available to purchase now at WRU.WALES/TICKETS and tickets include the Road to Principality Women’s Bowl, Plate and Cup Finals
Saturday 6th April Men’s division finals and Sunday 7th April’s Championship & Premiership Cup Finals will be broadcast live on S4C.
All other matches across all 10 days of events will be streamed live via WRU social channels: YouTube, Facebook
