Black Ferns’s caustic review reports favoritism, shame and cultural insensitivity | New Zealand

New Zealand’s governing body for rugby has failed to properly support women’s rugby with high scores, and some players report favoritism, ghosts, disgrace over the body and insensitive comments, showed a scathing review of one of the world’s best women’s rugby teams.

Especially than 30-page reviewwhich went with 26 recommendations, was initiated after senior Black Ferns player – Te Kura Ngata-Erengamate – posted on social media that she suffered from mental health after the Black Ferns tour at the end of the year to England and France in 2021. .

During the review, it became clear that Te Kur’s concerns were not isolated, and some other players (particularly Maori and Pacific players) encountered similar behavior from a number of leadership members (“favoritism”, “ghosts”, cultural insensitivity), or was witnessed it, or was told about it at the time, ”the review said.

When asked why the players did not complain, they referred to the fact that they were concerned that it would affect their chances of choice, they did not know how to file a complaint, or mentioned it to management, but nothing was done.

Ngata-Ehrenheimite’s letter included allegations that coach Glenn Moore had made a number of comments to her during her eight years on the team, including: that she was selected but “did not deserve to be on the team”; that he was “embarrassed” for her; and she was “chosen only to play the guitar.” She also showed that she felt low self-esteem, like walking on an eggshell, and that she was scolded and made to feel that everything she was doing was wrong.

Moore did not address Ngata-Erengamate’s claims directly.

At the time, New Zealand Rugby said it was serious about posting on social media and was appointing an independent group to conduct the review, which was not to make sure the allegations matched, but to provide an opportunity to comment on culture and the environment. .

More than 50 current and former players, managers and coaches were interviewed.

Reviewers stressed the lack of support, unity and gaps in communication between players and management.

“New Zealand’s rugby structures have not sufficiently supported women’s rugby in New Zealand,” the statement said.

It says that while New Zealand rugby has done a “great positive job” to move Black Ferns into the professional era, it has not created a high-performing vision and it needs to be addressed.

It states that the group needs to focus more on the rights and well-being of its players and leadership, and has the opportunity to develop cultural competence.

The review also referred to the lack of cultural diversity and women in the management structure of Black Ferns, noting that the team itself is “an elite women’s team, with 50% Maori and 25% Pacific.”

New Zealand Rugby CEO Mark Robinson said in a statement: “This report emphasizes that we are not all right and we apologize for not providing all the tools to succeed our people.”

“Black ferns were great rugby ambassadors; they have won five of the seven Rugby World Cups since their inception and added significantly to the mana and legacy of New Zealand rugby during that time; the current group of players and management are part of that, ”Robinson said.

Moore has retained his role as coach and will lead the team to participate in this year’s World Cup. In a statement, he said he accepted the findings of the review, but participating in high-performance sports presents unique challenges. “There are conclusions from the review. I’m committed to getting them on board. “

Women in rugby Aotearoa chair Tracy Hupapa told RNZ she was surprised that Moore kept his role. “It sends a message to say that they maintain the status quo … [New Zealand Rugby] you have to think about what it gives to the players and the rugby community, ”she said.

“I think the report tells us a lot about what we already knew is a long-term long-term systemic problem that affects and affects women who want to play rugby at Aatearoa.”