A “bigger discussion” is needed in British sport following allegations of sexism, homophobia and racism within the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU), according to the chair of a sporting body.

Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson, chair of Sport Wales, was giving evidence to a Senedd (Welsh Parliament) committee on Wednesday morning.

The WRU was the subject of a BBC Wales Investigates programme in January which revealed accusations of sexism, misogyny, homophobia and racism within the organisation.

Its chief executive, Steve Phillips, resigned in the aftermath of the documentary.

Speaking to the committee, Baroness Grey-Thompson said: “I think this is a bigger discussion for the whole of the home countries and British sport in terms of where we are.

“Sport is held up at its best as absolutely amazing and incredible in terms of what it can do but it’s also a microcosm for society and the challenges that are there.

“If there’s one thing that comes out of this is that actually it sends a really strong message out to the other sport governing bodies and what’s happening with the WRU has reverberated to the other home countries and to other national bodies that we all have to do something to look at the culture and the -isms that are around in sport.”

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The allegations come at a time when some players are also unhappy over the direction of the WRU.

Sam Cross, a Rugby 7s player, wrote on Twitter that “it’s time players stood up for ourselves” and has called for a say in their “own futures and on how the game is run in Wales going forward”.

The WRU’s acting chief executive officer (CEO), Nigel Walker, has apologised, adding “we recognise we’ve made many mistakes”.

‘Deeply upsetting’

The Senedd’s Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee was hearing evidence from Baroness Grey-Thompson and Sport Wales’s acting CEO, Brian Davies.

Sport Wales is an agency tasked with developing sport and physical activity in the country.

An independent inquiry has been announced which will look at the allegations within the WRU.

Dame Anne Rafferty, a former Court of Appeal judge, will lead the independent panel.

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Baroness Grey-Thompson hopes that the allegations will encourage others to come forward.

“It’s horrendous what’s happened and it’s deeply upsetting but if there are some positives that can come out of this, it means that other people might step forward and we might step forward and we have a chance to look at other governing bodies,” she added.

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During the evidence session, the former Paralympic and World champion wheelchair racer said: “If we want sport to develop and grow and we talk about it being social impact and all the other things it can do, it cannot operate in this way, it just can’t.”

The WRU has encouraged anyone who wishes to contribute to engage with the inquiry’s work.

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