The long-awaited review into Black Ferns’ culture found significant challenges in the team’s high-performance environment. It also revealed that management is not well aligned with the culture and communication issues. Additionally, there are health and wellness deficiencies within its structure.
The These are the findings New Zealand Rugby made Monday afternoon public the results of the cultural-environmental review of the Black Ferns.
The review was initiated after Te Kura Ngata Aerengamates, a veteran hooker, made serious allegations about the team’s environment under Glenn Moore as a result of the side’s northern tour last season.
The tour also encountered difficulties on the pitch, where the Black Ferns lost all four of their matches against England and France.
The report revealed that NZ Rugby had done positive things with players, management and coaches to get the Black Ferns into a professional era. However there was no clear and consistent high performance vision and this needed to change.
The lack of solid recruitment and training caused gaps in management. The Black Ferns had the responsibility to create an environment that was safe, inclusive, and respectful of culture, gender, and sexuality.
The Black Ferns had the need to put more emphasis on the rights, culture, and welfare of players and managers.
The panel included Phillipa Muir and Tammi Wilson Uluinayau as well as Eleanor Butterworth and Gilbert Enoka, as well cultural advisors Luke Crawford, Saveatama Eroni Clarke.
Mark Robinson, chief executive of NZ Rugby, stated that his organization had carefully reviewed the report and that work had begun on implementation.
There should be no doubt about our commitment towards the development of women’s rugby in this country. Robinson released a statement saying that the report shows that we haven’t done everything right and that we apologize for not giving our people all the tools they need to succeed.
The Black Ferns have been great ambassadors of rugby. They have won five of seven Rugby World Cups, and have greatly contributed to the legacy and mana of New Zealand Rugby over that period, he said.
The Black Ferns were left behind by professionalism since its inception, especially by Northern Hemisphere teams that were rapidly developing in a Six Nations environment. They will likely be up against it in New Zealand’s World Cup.
Numerous changes have been made to the Black Ferns, with Wayne Smith, an ex-All Blacks coach, joining the coaching team.
The review panel offered 26 recommendations including education and a focus to a harm-free work environment, communication strategies, personal development plans for the players, and education.
Glenn Moore responds
Moore, the head coach of the team, said that he would learn a lot from the review.
“As Black Ferns’ coach, I am honoured that the team will be participating in the 2022 Women’s Rugby World Cup.”
“It is a privilege working alongside a highly skilled management team who have an in-depth understanding of what it takes for success at an elite level. They join me in coaching a group of highly motivated and talented players.
“My goal as Black Ferns Coach is to ensure that the team excels both on and off the pitch. I am driven by the goal to improve our performance in every aspect of the game and set a high standard for excellence. Being a high-performance athlete, coach, player, or manager can present unique challenges. Today’s Black Ferns Cultural and Environmental Review highlights some of those challenges. The Review has many lessons. These are the lessons I intend to take on board.
“I look forward working with everyone in the Black Ferns team and New Zealand Rugby Players Association to ensure that we have a high performance culture and environment.” One that strikes a healthy balance between personal well-being and the demands of playing at the highest level of sport.
